Manarola

Manarola is one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre National Park, on the Ligurian coast of northwest Italy, and one of the oldest — its little Gothic church of San Lorenzo carries the date 1338. Colourful houses spill down a rock spur to a tiny harbour hemmed by dramatic cliffs, a view that has made Manarola one of the most photographed spots on the whole coast. Behind the village, terraced vineyards climb the hillsides and produce the prized Sciacchetrà dessert wine. The village name is often traced to the Latin magna rota ("large wheel"), after a mill wheel that once stood here, though the etymology is uncertain. Manarola sits between Riomaggiore and Corniglia, is the northern trailhead of the Via dell'Amore, and — like its neighbours — is part of a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape best explored on foot, by train, or by boat.

By train From Pisa Centrale (direction La Spezia). The price is around €8 . There are plenty of trains everyday. You can also take a train from Genoa to Monterosso or Levanto and obtain a Cinque Terre day pass for €15 (as of 2016) which allows you to hop on any train between Levanto and La Spezia and includes the fees for entry into the Cinque Terre park.

Manarola railway station . ( updated Aug 2019 )

Manarola is small and easily explored on foot. The main street leads from the railway station through the village down to the harbour. The Via dell'Amore, the flat, paved cliff path to Riomaggiore, reopened in summer 2024 after its long post-landslide closure and now runs on ticketed, timed entry. Hiking trails through the terraced vineyards, together with the frequent trains, connect Manarola to the other Cinque Terre villages.

Chiesa di San Lorenzo. Built in 1338, this Gothic-Ligurian church has a distinctive rose window and overlooks the sea.

The large water mill wheel, from which Manarola likely derives its name (Magna rota — large wheel), sits along the main street.

The colourful houses cascading down the cliffside offer iconic views, especially from the harbour and the vineyard paths.

Presepe di Manarola. From December to February, the hillside above the village hosts a vast illuminated nativity scene with thousands of lights, created by local resident Mario Andreoli.

Besides enjoying the beauty of this small town, hiking the trails to the other towns is definitely worth a day or two in the area. See Cinque Terre for more information on the paths. When you arrive at the train station, you may need to go underground to reach the main platform. Head down the tunnel toward the city. During World War 2, the residents spent the nights here for protection. There is a wonderful art gallery with oil paintings and watercolors of the cinque terre towns. Turn right and up the hill -- this road used to be a stream, with bridges crossing, similar to Venice. The stream was paved over and you can still hear the running water. About halfway up, there is still an old water wheel. At the top is the church of S.Lorenzo. To get to the via dell amore, go back through the tunnel towards the train station. Around the back are steps leading up to the trail. Be sure to have your ticket (available at the cinque terre office near the train station.)

Ligurian cooking here is simple and seafood-forward: trofie or trenette al pesto, focaccia, anchovies, and the day's catch. Trattoria dal Billy, perched above the village, is a long-standing local favourite for seafood risotto and fresh fish with harbour views, while Nessun Dorma near the top of the village is famous for its terrace, pesto bruschetta boards, and sunset panorama (expect queues in summer). Bakeries and small takeaways along the main street sell focaccia and pizza by the slice for a cheap lunch on the harbour wall.

Manarola is renowned for its local wine Sciacchetrà, a sweet dessert wine produced from grapes dried on terraced hillsides — references to its quality date to ancient Roman times. Local bars and enotecas along the main street offer wine tastings.

Ostello Cinque Terre . Includes food services, internet access, etc. ( updated Jun 2017 )

Small shops along the main street sell local wine — above all the sweet Sciacchetrà and Cinque Terre DOC whites — along with Ligurian olive oil, pesto, honey, and lemon products. There are no large markets in the village; a small alimentari (grocer) is handy for assembling a picnic. The nearest weekly market is in La Spezia.

• Riomaggiore — the next village south, reached on the Via dell'Amore cliff path (reopened 2024, ticketed) or a two-minute train hop.
• Corniglia — the next village north, perched on a promontory above the sea; a short train ride, or a scenic vineyard hike.
• Cinque Terre National Park — the trail network, coastal ferry, and the other four villages, including Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.
• La Spezia — the gateway city on the main rail line, about 15 minutes away, with the Gulf of Poets and onward connections to Pisa, Genoa, and Florence.