With 1,700 inhabitants, Riomaggiore is the largest and easternmost municipality of the Cinque Terre, the first on the road from La Spezia. Of the five Cinque Terre villages, it probably has the most urban character and the greatest degree of authenticity. In fact, the locals almost always outnumber the tourists.

Book a hotel in Riomaggiore

The main street of Riomaggiore is surrounded by houses up to 5 storeys high and rises very steeply from the sea with a concrete pier for launching boats to the rural areas full of steep slopes with vines.

On the main street you can shop in several grocery stores and eat in great restaurants.

Sights and views

For the best views of Riomaggiore, you have to walk down to the concrete pier and climb a few steps towards the cliff to the left (see map).

Between the centre of Riomaggiore and the railway station, on a high rock outcrop, is the small military fortress Castello di Riomaggiore, which dates back to 1260, was rebuilt during the 16th century and today serves as a meeting and cultural room for the local government. It offers a beautiful view on all sides.

Another monument is the main municipal church of San Giovanni Battista. Originally a Romanesque church dating from 1340, it was rebuilt in 1870 in a neo-Gothic style. It stands on a small romantic square overlooking the centre of Riomaggiore.

The surroundings of Riomaggiore, as well as the hillsides in the town, are dotted with vines.

Accommodation

There are dozens of private apartments and one 3-star hotel in Riomaggiore, with prices starting at 110 eur per night in high season and half that in low season. For example, we would recommend these accommodations:

• Hotel Villa Argentina - the only hotel in town with a spectacular view
• Stellio Affittacamere - the guesthouse with the best view of Riomaggiore, very modern rooms and the best rating in town
• Ca'la Luna - a family-run guesthouse right in the centre of town with a nice terrace

Beaches and swimming

About 150 metres from the most beautiful viewpoint of the town, a path along the sea leads to the only local beach, Spiaggia di Riomaggiore.

The setting below the almost perpendicular cliff is beautiful, but expect large rocks both on the beach and in the sea.

Hiking

Riomaggiore is the start of several hiking trails that take you mainly to the hills dotted with vineyards and romantic rural areas. Always allow for relatively high altitudes.

• The Love Trail (see map): an iconic path leading along the edge of the cliff to the nearby village of Manarola, unfortunately closed from the Riomaggiore side until 2024 for safety reasons
• Riomaggiore - Madonna di Motenero (see map): a path leading to a small church with a magnificent view of the whole coast, with lots of steps and a distance of less than 3 km round trip.
• Sella la Croce (see map): a very steep path with lots of steps and 2.5 km long, connecting Riomaggiore with the main tourist route of the coast

How to get there?

All the villages on the Cinque Terre can be reached mainly by train, the line here is mostly sunken in tunnels, just like the Riomaggiore station. The platform starts in one tunnel, continues through an outdoor section of about 200 metres with a spectacular view of the sea, and dives into a second tunnel at the end.

From the station to Riomaggiore, you can reach the station via a pedestrian tunnel about 150 metres long, or by a path around the cliff, but this is only open in season.

Only Trenitalia trains run here; you can find connections and buy tickets online at trenitalia.com or on the Trenitalia mobile app (Google Play / App Store).

For regional trains, which are the vast majority to Riomaggiore, just buy tickets from the ticket machine at the station. How much and where can I get to from Riomaggiore by train?

• Pisa - 1-2 times per hour always with a change in La Spezia, the journey takes 1 hr 10 min to 1 hr 50 min and costs from 9,45 eur (regional trains) to 15,45 eur (faster InterCity from La Spezia to Pisa)
• Genoa - 1-2 times per hour usually with a change in Sestri Levante, journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs from 8,50 eur, from March to November 14,80 eur
• La Spezia - 1-2 times per hour, journey takes 10 minutes and costs 2,40 eur, from March to November 10 eur
• Manarola - 1-2 times per hour, the journey takes 2 minutes and costs 2,10 eur, from March to November 10 eur
• Corniglia - 1x per hour, takes 5 minutes and costs 2,40 eur, from March to November 10 eur
• Vernazza - 1x per hour, takes 9 minutes and costs 2,40 eur, from March to November 10 eur
• Monterosso al Mare - 1x per hour, takes 14 minutes and costs 2,40 eur, from March to November 10 eur
• Milan - about once every 2 hours, the fastest connection (3.5 hours) with a change in Levanto for 12,60 eur

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Cinque Terre.