Manarola is a fraction of the municipality of Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, and is one of the Cinque Terre . It is a truly suggestive village with the typical Genoese colored houses with the roof terrace that become one with the landscape and the rocky spur overlooking the sea.
The entire coastal area is characterized by hills of olive trees and grape plantations, and by kilometers of low walls. Manarola is also famous for its wine , one of the finest in Liguria, called Sciacchetra.
To visit the town, be prepared for some nice walks , despite being small and in any case overlooking the sea and the climbs are quite challenging.Here’s what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening in Manarola !
What to see in Manarola
1 – Via Belvedere
In addition to being one of the main streets, it is one of the best points to enjoy the panorama and the view overlooking the sea and the small village. The road climbs around the small port up to the Eugenio Montale square, this square is known as “the balcony overlooking the sea” which perfectly conveys the idea of ​​the beauty that can be admired from here.
2 – The small port
The small and rocky port is one of the many panoramic points of the town, from here you can admire the city and its very deep waters, which make the sea of ​​this locality one of the favorite destinations for the most adventurous swimmers and the most courageous divers.
3 – Church of San Lorenzo
Photo by Davide Papalini. This church is dedicated to the patron saint , who is also celebrated in the town on 10 August. The construction of the church began in 1338, as evidenced by the engraving on the plaque placed on the right side of the facade, and in Gothic style on the outside and Baroque on the inside. It is an important Catholic place of worship and the main church .
Its bell tower is separate from the structure and also served as a lookoutto observe the sea and possible attacks, it was in fact built on the remains of an ancient lookout tower for the sighting of Saracen raids.
- How to get there: it is located in the highest part of Manarola and can be reached on foot. Get directions
- Hours: every day from 10:00 to 19:00
- Ticket cost: free
4 – The Manarola Nativity
Photo by Francesco Crippa. If you visit the citadel in December or January, you cannot miss the largest nativity scene in the world . In 1976 Mario Andreoli began to cover the whole hill of Manarola with his illuminations, it took him 30 years and in the end I created what today is a Guinness nativity scene. About 8 km of electric cables, 17,000 light bulbs and more than 300 life-size figures, all created with recycled materials and powered with clean energy, were used to build it. Every year, from 8 December to the end of January, it is illuminated as the sun goes down and is visible from all corners of the city .
- How to get there: it is on the Hill of the Three Crosses, but can be admired from distant strategic points. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
5 – Punta Bonfiglio
Photo of AmilkarQ. Another panoramic point to admire the structure of the village, on which runs a walkway built by the Manarolese that connects the Marina with the Palaedo port. The characteristic of this place is the poem “Liguria” by Vincenzo Cardarelli written on a wall. Also here is always a very sacred place to the citizens of Manarola, that is the small cemetery of the town.
6 – Via dell’Amore
Photo by Twice25. A hiking trail that connects the Cinque Terre passes through the citadel called the Blue Path. It starts from Riomaggiore to finish in Monterosso, and there are those who travel it all making it more than 5 hours of walking in four sections of the path. At Manarola there isthe stretch called Via dell’Amore which, given an accident in 2012, is now closed but work is already underway to reopen it as soon as possible. Between the four it is the easiest and shortest route, about half an hour’s walk, and it is the first, in fact it connects Riomaggiore to Manarola in just over a kilometer. For lovers of hiking and walking, it is a must do. The fact that it is a pedestrian stretch with the sea on one side and the rocky wall on the other makes it all an immense peace.
- How to get there: and the path located sheer above the sea is easy to reach because it connects the Riomaggiore station to that of Manarola. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket price: the ticket price varies according to the areas of the Sentiero Azzurro and ranges from € 3.00 to € 7.00. With the purchase of the Cinque Terre Card you can access at an advantageous price for various attractions of the entire National Park
7 – The beach of Manarola
The coast of the Ligurian town, like that of the entire Cinque Terre area, is steep and rocky. The beach is characterized by small natural pools , rocks, ropes that facilitate the ascent and concrete that allow you to lie in the sun to get a tan.
8 – Via Antonio Discovolo
Walking through the narrow streets you can enjoy a breathtaking view that makes you want to get lost willingly in this town. Via Antonio Discovolo is the main street of the area at the top , and along it you will come across typical houses, shops and tourists intent on photographing the smallest colored details of this locality.
9 – Beach of Riomaggiore
Photo by Luca Aless. You can visit thebeach in the nearby town of Riomaggiore , located in the far east of the village. The beach is quite wide and the place is very picturesque , but be careful it is not suitable for children or those who cannot swim, it has no security services and with the rough sea it can be dangerous to swim due to the large stones on the shore.
From Manarola you can reach Riomaggiore by car in 10 minutes or by local ATC buses, from the town the beach is easily reachable on foot. Get directions
10 – Spiaggione di Corniglia
Photo by Markus Bernet. Corniglia is a town that is part of the Cinque Terre, is located north of Manarola. It is difficult to reach by caras it is located on the top of a promontory about 90 meters high surrounded by vineyards, so we advise you to use the train and then walk down to the beach. The beach is characterized by stones and pebbles also on the seabed. And towards the final part of the beach, right on the border with Manarola, naturism is practiced .
The most convenient way to get from Manarola to Corniglia is by train, from the station the Spiaggione can be reached on foot (Get directions)
Manarola itinerary in one day
You can start in the morning, after having breakfast at Bar Enrica, by visiting the characteristic port , one of the many panoramic points from which to admire both the city and the magnificent Ligurian sea, and then continue along the beach made of rocks and rocks and climb towards Punta Bonfiglio .
Stop to taste some Ligurian specialties for lunch at the La Scogliera restaurant, in a room made with sea stones. Continue your tour now by climbing and exploring the interior of the village of Manarola . Cross the two main streets, Via Belvedere and Via Antonio Discovolo , which will take you without realizing it to the top of this town overlooking the sea. Here you can visit the Church of San Lorenzo dedicated to the patron saint.
In the evening, walk down the village to the Trattoria dal Billy, where you can dine with a typical dish of fresh fish in a suggestive location with a terrace overlooking the sea.
One day itinerary at a glance
- Breakfast at Bar Enrica
- The Marina
- Manarola beach
- Punta Bonfiglio
- Lunch at the Cliff
- Via Belvedere
- Via Antonio Discovolo
- Church of San Lorenzo (10 am-7pm, free)
- Dinner at Trattoria dal Billy
Where to eat in Manarola
- La Scogliera : restaurant with Ligurian specialties in a place with details in colored wood, maritime decorations and made with sea stones. Average price per person: € 30.00 Address and contacts: Via Renato Birolli, 92 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0187 920747
- Trattoria dal Billy : Ligurian fish specialties served in an informal restaurant with colorful walls and furnishings and a terrace overlooking the sea. Average price per person: € 25.00 Address and contacts: Via A. Rollandi, 122 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0187 920628
- From Aristide : Ligurian seafood dishes in a 1964 restaurant with walls covered with period photos. Average price per person: € 25.00 Address and contacts: Via Antonio Discovolo, 290 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0187 920000
- Il Porticciolo : pizza restaurant with fish specialties served in a simple place and an outdoor area. Average price per person: € 20.00 Address and contacts: Via Renato Birolli, 103 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0187 920083
- Marina Piccola: Ligurian fish and Cinque Terre wines in a historic restaurant with a large terrace overlooking the sea. Average price per person: € 25.00 Address and contacts: ViaLo Scalo, 16 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0187 920923
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Fortunately, there is tourism throughout the year in Manarola , so there is no shortage of movement. The Cinque Terre, however, are not exactly famous for the nightlife. Here in the evening you prefer to take a relaxing walk and enjoy a little silence and the scent of the sea . If you intend to spend the evening in Manarola then we recommend some bars that you can find open until late, where you can spend time with friends and have a drink.
If you want to go wild to the rhythm of music, you will necessarily have to move to the city of La Spezia, where there are clubs and discos.
- La Cantina Zio Bramante : small bar, a few steps from the marina, open late where you can enjoy excellent beer or good local wine / Address: Via Renato Birolli, 110 (Get directions)
- A Pie de Campu La focaccia : precious gem in the heart of Manarola with typical Ligurian products and wine tasting / Address: Localita Pie di Campo (Get directions)
- Papilio Club : disco in La Spezia also open for dinner, followed by shows with DJ set house, reggaeton and latin / Address: Via del Canaletto, 136 (Get directions)
- Vertical Lounge Bar : Lounge bar in Riomaggiore, carefully created cocktails of excellent quality / Address: Via Colombo, 76 (Get directions)
- Dancing Divina : 70s-80s-90s revival music and live orchestras in a modern nightclub 35 km from Manarola / Address: Via Provinciale Piana, 12 (Get directions)
Plan your stay in Manarola: info and useful tips
- How to get there: it is served by a railway stop on the Genoa-Pisa line, from here it is easy to reach the town on foot. Alternatively, if you are traveling by car, you can get to Manarola along the SP370 from La Spezia
- How to get around : within the town it is convenient to move on foot, the territory is uphill and overlooking the sea and it will be tiring, but it is still a pedestrian area and moving by public transport is very uncomfortable
- Where to park : in the Cinque Terre area parking is limited, there are few places and the road that leads you is winding and narrow. In Manarola there is parking available, and it is located at the top of the village (Get directions)
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 70.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Volastra (2 km), Riomaggiore (5 km), Vernazza (10 km), Monterosso al Mare (22 km)
