Clinging to the cliffs along Italy’s UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre National Park coastline, Manarola captivates with its jumble of pastel-tinged townhouses lining the main street, narrow carruggi (alleys), and dizzying staircases. The whole of the Cinque Terre is a walker’s dream, and Manarola is no exception. Panoramic trails through the terraced vineyards fan out in all directions, linking the village to neighboring Corniglia and Riomaggiore. There are plenty of things to do in Manarola for non-walkers as well, including taking a boat tour to admire all five coastal villages or learning how to make pesto with a hands-on cooking class.
Because of the steep terrain, the foot trails from Manarola along the Cinque Terre are prone to landslides during the rainy season from late fall through spring. Visit between April and October to avoid the disappointment of finding routes closed; spring and fall are especially pleasant with milder temperatures and less crowded trails and towns.
Vehicles are not allowed in Manarola, so the best way to reach the village is by train from La Spezia or Levanto. The coastal rail line connects all five of the Cinque Terre villages and runs at intervals of about 20 minutes during the day in high season. There is also a local bus line between the villages.
Purchase a Cinque Terre Card online before your trip to access the popular Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) plus unlimited train and bus transfers, public restrooms and Wi-Fi, and other services. The National Park website updates the Cinque Terre trail map daily, so check for closures before setting off on an independent hike.
