About this place

Cinque Terre is a coastal region within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. It comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The area, which covers 15 square kilometers of coastline, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is managed as the Cinque Terre National Park (Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre). Its geography is defined by a steep, rugged coastline where hillsides have been terraced over centuries for the cultivation of grapes and olives.

Visitor access to the villages is primarily facilitated by a regional train line that operates between the larger towns of La Spezia and Levanto. The use of private cars is heavily restricted and not advisable due to extremely limited parking and narrow, winding roads. In addition to the railway, a network of hiking paths, including the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), connects the villages. A seasonal ferry service also provides an alternative mode of transport. The region experiences high tourist density, particularly during the peak season from May to September.

Manarola is one of the oldest and second smallest of the five villages, built on a high rock 70 meters above sea level. The village's economy has historically been based on fishing and viticulture, and it is known for the production of Sciacchetrà, a local sweet wine. The settlement lacks a conventional beach, featuring a small harbour with a boat ramp that provides deep-water swimming access. The well-known 'Via dell'Amore' coastal path begins here, connecting the village to Riomaggiore, though this trail is frequently subject to long-term closures for maintenance.