Manarola

Technically this map location is for the Manarola train station, but I’m using it to rate the entire town. If you’re visiting Cinque Terre, I can’t recommend Manarola enough. Getting there is super easy—the train drops you off right at the edge of town, and you just walk through a quick 100-yard tunnel before the town opens up in front of you. Manarola is basically one main street that stretches from the ocean all the way up the hillside, and it’s lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants. It feels simple, charming, and totally scenic at every step. We stayed in one of the apartments at the very top of the hill, and the views were unreal. Every morning and every night we got this perfect combination of ocean, vineyards, pastel houses, and sky. It honestly felt like a painting. A main church, local kids playing soccer in the courtyard from dawn till dusk, and a clock tower add to the rustic charm. And it’s only about 20 minutes walk to Riomaggiore along the sea. The food is great too—grab a gelato, enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants, or stop by one of the small supermarkets for snacks. If you walk all the way to the end toward the sea, there’s a restaurant perched right on the cliff’s edge with one of the best views in the area. (I’ll write a separate review on this resistant as well.) It’s the ideal spot if you want to try a super fun pesto-making class. One of my favorite things was looking back at the city from the cliff at night. The colorful houses light up, the moon reflects on the water, and it’s just… surreal. During the day, you can swim down by the marina or watch people jump off the big 25-foot rock—it’s a fun, lively vibe. And it’s got quite hot. If you’re spending several days in Cinque Terre, staying in Manarola is a fantastic choice. Beautiful, convenient, and just the right mix of relaxed and unforgettable. Highly recommend.