Must-do activities
In the Cinque Terre, every experience offers a different way to understand the area: from the sea, along the trails, through the vineyards, in the villages or through local flavours.
In this section, you will find activities and local operators to help you experience Riomaggiore, Manarola, Groppo and Volastra with greater awareness: boat tours, trekking, guided visits, tastings, outdoor activities and experiences linked to the area’s agricultural and maritime culture.
1. Boat tours and ferries
Choose the right experience for you
- Boat tour: the slower, more contemplative option, often in small groups or private formats. It may include photo stops, stories about the area and, if sea conditions allow it, a swimming stop in coves or sheltered inlets.
- Ferry service: the most practical option if you want to move between the villages while still enjoying the coast from the sea during the journey.
Reccomended time
Sunset is the most magical time: the warm light illuminates the village facades, the sea transforms in color, and the coastline becomes even more breathtaking.
Useful information
- Always check weather and sea conditions before departure. Routes and schedules may change or be cancelled at short notice.
- Bring comfortable, non-slip shoes, a light jacket and protection for your phone or camera.
- If your tour includes a swim stop, keep your swimsuit and towel handy.
- In high season, especially for private tours or sunset trips, check availability and book in advance.
2. Wine tasting
In Riomaggiore, Manarola, Groppo and Volastra, wine is part of the landscape. Vines grow on terraced slopes overlooking the sea, supported by dry-stone walls and still cultivated today through patient manual work. A tasting experience helps you understand the connection between the glass, the territory and the care required to work such fragile land.
Where and how to enjoy it
- Wine Shops & Wine Bars: Ideal for an easy, casual tasting before dinner or after a stroll.
- Wineries & Estates: The ultimate choice to experience “heroic viticulture” firsthand, learn about the terraced vineyards, and discover local grape varieties
What to taste
- Cinque Terre DOC: The quintessential dry white wine that perfectly captures the essence of the region.
- Sciacchetrà: The famous sweet passito wine, a rare and precious nectar crafted from dried grapes.
Reccomended time
The late afternoon is perfect, particularly for vineyard tastings overlooking the coast. Following a walk through the villages, it becomes a natural way to unwind and appreciate the scenery with a calmer mind.
Useful information
- Book in advance: spots in wineries and wine shops may be limited, especially in high season.
- If the experience includes vineyards or trails, wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring a light jacket for evening tastings or experiences at higher altitude.
- Taste slowly: the value of the experience lies in understanding the territory, not in drinking a lot!
3. Via dell'Amore
When to visit
- Morning: Best for experiencing milder temperatures and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere
- Late afternoon: The most evocative time, offering warm golden-hour light across the cliffs and the sea.
Access and useful information
- Access is regulated and limited: booking a time slot is required.
- The route is generally one-way, from Riomaggiore towards Manarola.*
- The Riomaggiore Guest Card may offer dedicated benefits and specific access conditions.*
4. Sunsets from panoramic viewpoints
At sunset, the area changes rhythm: the light warms the village facades, the sea reflects the colours of the sky and the hillsides become natural balconies over the Cinque Terre. Choose your viewpoint according to the time you have and the atmosphere you are looking for.
Recommended viewpoints
- Riomaggiore harbour: the easiest choice if you want to stay at sea level, among boats, colourful houses and village atmosphere.
- Punta Bonfiglio, Manarola: the most famous spot for seeing Manarola in its postcard view
- Riomaggiore Castle: an elevated but easy-to-reach view over the village and the coast.
- Trails between Riomaggiore and Manarola: for a more rural sunset, among dry-stone walls, vineyards and panoramic glimpses.
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero: the widest and most contemplative view above Riomaggiore, with a panorama towards the coast, Portovenere and Palmaria Island.
Tips
- Arrive early: the most beautiful moment begins before the sun disappears!
- In high season, the most iconic viewpoints can fill up quickly.
- If you choose trails or sanctuaries, wear suitable shoes and plan your return time carefully.
- If you return after sunset, bring a headlamp or a torch.
5. Explore the villages and hamlets
The best way to discover the soul of the area is to walk slowly through narrow lanes, stairways, harbours, churches, small viewpoints and hidden details. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Groppo and Volastra are not just places to photograph, but living villages, each with its own identity.
Where to go
- Riomaggiore: compact and vertical, to be explored through its harbour, Via Colombo, inner lanes, Castle and Church of San Giovanni Battista.
- Manarola: scenic and compact, to be experienced beyond the view from Punta Bonfiglio: the marina, historic centre, Church of San Lorenzo and viewpoints towards the sea and the terraces.
- Groppo: a small rural hamlet deeply tied to winemaking and agricultural life. It is the perfect place to understand the close relationship between the coast, the hillside vineyards, and the terraced landscape.
- Volastra: a quieter panoramic hamlet, surrounded by olive trees, terraces and trails, ideal for stepping away from the busiest flows.
Reccomended time
Early morning and evening are the best times to walk calmly. If you are staying overnight in Riomaggiore or Manarola, make the most of the hours when day visitors decrease and the local rhythm slows down.
Tips & Rules
- Wear comfortable shoes: Even if you aren’t hiking, steep climbs and stairways are frequent throughout the villages.
- Stay hydrated: Always bring water with you, especially during the hot summer months.
- Respect local residents: Please keep noise levels down, avoid blocking private entryways, and respect people’s privacy when taking photos.
- Plan your transport: If you head up toward Groppo or Volastra, double-check the local bus timetables, walking times, and trail conditions in advance.
6. Trails and trekking
The trails tell the truest story and geography of this land: before modern roads, they were the connections between villages, cultivated fields, sanctuaries and ridges. Today, they allow you to read the landscape step by step, among sea, terraces, woods and panoramic viewpoints.
The routes listed here are some of the best-known and most representative in the area. The hiking network is wider and also includes variants, connecting routes and less frequented paths: to explore them all, visit the Nature and Trails section.
Some of the best-known routes
- Riomaggiore – Manarola / Via Beccara (Trail 531): The historic connection between the two villages. Though short, this trail is extremely steep, featuring a demanding incline and hundreds of stone steps.
- Manarola – Volastra / Trail 506: an uphill route through olive groves, vineyards and agricultural landscape, ideal for reaching the hamlet of Volastra and continuing towards the upper trail network.
- Strada dei Santuari / Trail 530: This high-level trail offers a longer but gentler hike along the coastline. It winds through woods and ancient sanctuaries, making it an excellent hub for connecting with the wider trail network.
- Sentiero del Tulipano Blu: a themed itinerary dedicated to rural culture, between Manarola, Groppo and Volastra.
Essential Trail Safety
- Assess your fitness: Match your route to your physical condition and today’s weather forecast.
- Verify openings: Check current trail closures and updates before you leave.
- Gear up correctly: Hiking shoes with non-slip soles are mandatory. Flip-flops and smooth soles are unsafe.
- Pack enough water: Carry an adequate water supply, particularly in summer.
- Avoid midday sun: Stay off sun-exposed paths during the peak heat of the day.
Experience and tourism service providers
Discover the experiences offered by local operators: boat tours, sea-related activities, local farms, tastings and fishing-tourism experiences.
Click on the categories below to view all available operators and contact them directly.