Cinque Terre Manarola Italy

Manarola, built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level, is one of the most charming and romantic of the Cinque Terre villages. The tiny harbor features a boat ramp, a tiny piazza and picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea.

Manarola Cinque Terre Italy

You can enjoy lunch at one of the fish restaurants in the small square next to the harbour. The harbor area is filled with colorful rowing boats and becomes the main sunbathing and swimming spot of the village from morning until dusk. In fact, this is the perfect place to spend a lazy day sunbathing and watching people jumping off the cliffs. Although there is no real beach here, it has some of the best deep-water swimming around.

Along the main road the boats are pulled onto dry land every time the sea is rough. The village is all ups and downs, with steep narrow alleys carrugi, leading to the sea.

Manarola, Cinque Terre Where to stay in Manarola

Manarola is one of the most romantic villages of Cinque Terre. Discover this beautiful village and choose from our unique selection of charming Airbnbs in Manarola.

You will also find some high quality hotels in Manarola, providing a relaxing atmosphere and spectacular ocean views.

If you are traveling with family, or a group of friends, renting an apartment can be a better option. Here you will find a list of the best rated apartments in Manarola based on their location and customer reviews: Apartments in Manarola.

Aperitivo in Cinque Terre Manarola

The hiking trail from Manarola to Corniglia

We can recommend the scenic hike Manarola - Volastra - Corniglia. The first part of the hiking trail has a very steep climb (1200 steps) which you can skip taking the bus (€2) from Manarola to Volastra. Normally there is a bus every hour.

The path goes along narrow, spectacular terraces with vineyards supported by dry stone walls. It gives you wonderful views of the Mediterranean and the Cinque Terre villages. This path is free and you do not need any hiking pass.

How to get to Manarola

By plane: Milan Malpensa Airport and Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei are the most convenient entry points for onward travel to the Cinque Terre or to any other tourist destination in northern Italy. From Pisa Airport you can in just 5 minutes reach Pisa Centrale station with the People Mover. From Pisa Centrale you can take a direct Intercity or a regional train to La Spezia and change to a local Cinque Terre Express train to Manarola. From Milano Centrale station there are Intercity trains directly to Levanto and Monterosso. You will have to change to a local Cinque Terre Express train to reach Manarola.

By train: The most comfortable way to get to Manarola is by train. The five Cinque Terre villages are on the Genoa - La Spezia - Pisa line and the trains are running frequently from Milan, Genoa and Pisa. Monterosso is the only one of the Cinque Terre villages that is served by long distance Intercity trains. If you arrive from the north, Milan or Genoa, you can take an IC train directly to Levanto or Monterosso. From there you have local trains, Cinque Terre Express, that provide links to Manarola. If you arrive from the south, take an Intercity train directly to La Spezia and change for a local train to Manarola.

By car: It is possible to reach Cinque Terre by car, if you do not mind narrow and winding roads. From Genoa or Livorno take the motorway A12, from Parma the motorway A15. Exit at La Spezia. Follow the signs towards Portovenere and Cinque Terre and than towards Manarola. It can be difficult to find a parking place in Manarola, therefore we suggest you to book a hotel with private parking.

Parking in Manarola

Like all the Cinque Terre villages, Manarola is closed to car traffic. That means no one can enter the town with private cars. In Manarola there are two parking possibilities, Posella and Acquarino, located a 10-15 minute walk from the village. Parking fee: 2.50 euros/hour, 20 euros/24 hours, 35 euros/2 days, 50 euros/3 days, 65 euros/4 days, 80 euros/5 days, 100 euros/6 days and 120 euros/7 days. As you approach Manarola, it is possible to find free parking places along the road.

What to see in Manarola

• Enjoy an aperitivo at Nessun Dorma, a wine bar with breathtaking views serving bruschettas, meat and cheese platters and local wines. Download the Nessun Dorma app and you can digitally queue for your table whilst exploring the town or hanging out by the water.

• The famous path Via dell'Amore is closed due to a landslide and will reopen in July 2024.

• The Church of San Lorenzo built in 1338 in Gothic Ligurian style.

• Santuario di Nostra Madonna Signora della Salute in Volastra

Events

San Lorenzo Feast, on August 10. San Lorenzo is the Patron Saint of Manarola. Bazar in Piazza Cappellini selling handicraft products and typical food. Fireworks in the evening.

Presepe di Manarola: The magical lighted nativity scene in Manarola will light up again this year, as every year, on December 8. This beauty can be admired until mid-January daily from 5:30pm to 10pm. The hills of Manarola are illuminated with more than 200 figures and 12.000 lamps for the nativity scene. 

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