A Full Guide to Manarola Italy

Manarola Italy travel guide: all you need to know to visit the most scenic and romantic village in Cinque Terre, including how to get there, things to see and do, where to stay, restaurants in Manarola Italy, and the best spots to get perfect views, for the perfect visit to Manarola Italy.

Experiencing Liguria Culture in Tiny, Wholesome Bits

The second smallest of the Cinque Terre villages, Manarola is not only the oldest of the five, but also one of the most popular tourist destination spots of the group. The little village of barely 350 souls is incredibly charming, perched as it is high above the cliff.

There were many activities I managed to try out in Manarola. The wine tasting and sampling of seafood took care of my gastric needs and gut. My only wish is I could pin down the skills to distinguishing between one sciacchetra to another just so I could see the smiles of pride on the faces of their makers.

The sunbathing was very relaxing, and with guys cliff jumping all the time, very entertaining. Manarola’s waters are very deep and the best part about the small fishing village is there are many boat tours that take you out to the best swimming and diving spots available.

And whether you are in it for the colorfully painted Ligurian houses built high on the cliffs, or for the incredible photo opportunities.

READ: Colourful Places in Italy worth visiting

From using Manarola as a staging point to scenic spots like Byron’s Grotto in Porto Venere, to walking the Via dell’Amore hands clasped to each other, my mission is to make you see, through my eyes, why Manarola is worth scheduling among your places to see in Italy.

A Short History of Manarola

Manarola is old enough – and culturally antiquated enough – it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Manarola’s origins are as shrouded in history as the small village’s size almost disappears from sight as you hike the Blue Trail. Indeed, the history of Manarola is a history of her architecture and culture.

The brave little village has seen upheavals and renewals since ancient times. It used to be a famous wine center in Roman times before the Empire collapsed.

During the medieval period, it revitalized – again because of her wine – before Saracen raids on the Italian coast brought her down once more.

WWII destroyed many of the Cinque Terre towns and villages, but the locals managed to recover, redefining and recreating their homes with love.

Today, Manarola is as strong as ever. Stronger even, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists a year.

Historical Places to See in Manarola

Upper Manarola, i.e. Old Town

The oldest part of Manarola and, by extension, the Ligurian coast. There are many delights to be found, most being an ancient medieval church, and another piece of Manarola’s history.

1. Chiesa di San Lorenzo

• A delight for art and architecture lovers; the oratory, bell tower, and rectory are separated from each other, a design choice distinguishing her from any other church in Italy
• Built in 1338 with the help of Volastra
• Ligurian Gothic style
• Has colorful rosary windows
• A triptych dedicated to Madonna with the Child and Saints rests on the main altar
• Its founding coincided with a period of explosive growth for Manarola, back when wine and trade made Manarola a place that was happening.

2. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Health

• Built in the 12^th century
• Surrounded by terraces covered in vineyards and the olive trees that gave Volastra her name
• Originally built in Romanesque style, there are now Gothic additions to the façade, and a Baroque style altar
• Like other Cinque Terre villages, residents would hide their Church bells underground. Raiders, incensed at the lack of plunder, would then turn on the brave villagers who preferred to preserve their culture over their own wealth

3. Piazza Papa Innocenzo IV

• The main square right at the heart of the village
• Dedicated to Pope Innocent IV. He was a Fieschi, an old merchant family originating from Genoa and active in the region
• Down from the square is an ancient water wheel, the very same that gives Manarola the name ‘Manarola’
• From the square, you can head to the dock where swimming, snorkeling, ferrying to the rest of the Cinque Terre, or renting a gommone (zodiac boat) is possible.

Scenic Places to See in Manarola

1. The Via Renato Birolli and Via Antonio Discovo

• Most of Manarola’s gift shops, restaurants, and cafes rest on these two streets
• Locals ‘park’ their fishing, tour, rental, and private boats on the narrow streets just as you would park your own car
• Pasta and souvenirs in plenty can be found along these streets, all lovingly crafted by hand and enduring love

2. The Vineyards

These vineyards are what have kept Manarola alive throughout the centuries. They literally define and protect the small village, with the hill terraces covered in vineyards surrounding the brave little village.

If you walk around, there are viewpoints where you can capture some great shots of the hills surrounding Manarola, a natural blend of colored concrete and fresh green that is a draw for an artist’s canvas. Check out their wine-tasting activity at Manarola wine tour and tasting with the sommelier.

Things to Do in Manarola Italy

1. Manarola’s Nativity Celebrations

A night of festivity, celebration, renewal and cultural remembrance.

• Back in 1961, a local by the name of Mario Andreoli initiated a cultural event in Manarola where every year hence forth, the residents would hang lights on the hill overlooking Manarola and celebrate the nativity scene
• Recycled plastics and other materials would be used to model the figures of the nativity, some 300+ figures!
• Residents and tourists in the area at this time of the year would take time off to watch the nativity play
• I did not get to travel there then, but I am told the sight of the fireworks going off at night, the soft yellow glow of the lights, and the reflected village colors on the walls are a blessing-full sight

2. Sunset Strolls …. + 3. viewpoints??

I was torn for choice over where the best viewpoints could be found. One reason Manarola is a heavy weight punching far above its weight-class is the incredible vistas and panoramas her skyline offers to photographers.

More than that,

Manarola’s hotels such as Olimpo Affittacamere and Luxury Seaview Apartments Manarola by Arbaspàa have incredible viewpoints from which you can grab shots at any time of day, especially nights, that will be memories cherished for a lifetime.

So, for the best spots for great viewpoints, aim for:

• Restaurant terraces
• Balconies of AirBnBs and hotels
• The top of the cliffs overlooking Manarola and opposite the small port and Manarola Beach. If you can manage multiple trips to Manarola you will be in for an adventure in contrasts. Different weather creates different sights from this spot. From stormy weather to lazy sunsets to clear nights with Manarola’s lights on, you can create an actual photo album just from this spot
• From a gozzo or tour boat rented to take you around the coast.

3. Hiking

The Cinque Terre’s Sentiero Azzuro (Blue Trail) is a major draw for tourists. The Blue Trail connects all the five villages of Cinque Terre; Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. major part of the reason comes from the scenic land and seascape the surrounding hills offer, to say nothing of the vineyards and forest sections.

A small but important part is the hiking challenge some sections of the Blue Trail demand from back-packers and hikers alike. The entire trail can be covered in about 5hrs for experienced hikers, or over a small number of days if you carry a picnic basket and some cash for wine tasting along the way. READ my detailed article on Hiking Cinque Terre Blue Trail

There are two main hiking routes, each with its own pros and cons:

4. Via dell’Amore

A very small stretch of the Via dell’Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola has been restored and people can walk. Its history is as haunting as it is beautiful.

• Only about 200m restored to date
• Built in the 1920s as a transport route for explosives needed to build the train tracks to Genoa
• The scenic path prompted the name dell‘Amore simply because of the beautiful route it takes with sea to one side, rock face to the other
• Like the old rebirth and destruction tale of Manarola herself, the Via dell’Amore has been plagued with closings and re-opening. Rock falls and land-slides have forced its closing as many times as the brave residents have come together to reopen the spot

5. The Manarola – Volastra – Corniglia Path

• An alternative hiking path
• Starts from San Lorenzo Church
• 5.5 km, or about 2.5 hours of hard walking
• The con to this hike is that it is very demanding because of the steep rises and falls along the route. In fact, residents abandoned the path because of the easier Via dell’Amore
• The plus side is the vineyards that flank your way along the route. The path is incredibly scenic, with numerous viewpoints for photographing opportunities. I think you can carry along a picnic and take a moment on the trail if possible; the owners of the vineyards are very accommodating.

6. Via Belvedere

• Flanks the sea along the seaward slope of Manarola
• The scenes to watch out for are the bay, the vineyards, terraces, balconies, and the Liguria housing
• This path is very quiet and old. I found it a calm respite from the noisier piazza.
• The best thing about Via Belvedere is it can work as a stand in for the Via dell’Amore because of its rustic appearance making you feel as if part of the ancient history and culture of the village

7. Swimming, Diving, and Snorkeling

There are many swimming spots in Manarola, but many of them require some additional expenses on your part. Here are a few I managed to curate, some going by personal experience beforehand, others from the advice of fellow travelers on the road.

• Manarola Beach near the small port as you head towards Corniglia.
• Locals are willing to advice on the best swimming, scuba, and snorkeling spots on the waters around Manarola Italy
• There are many Relaxing Boat Tour with Aperitif in Cinque Terre and operators, not to mention that every other house on the Via Renato Birolli and Via Antonio Discovo seem to have private boats available
• Memorable combos for the best experience is to carry a local sciacchetra, anchovies, pesto, and focaccia to wine and eat on the hour-long boat rides

8. Shopping in Manarola

Via Renato Birolli and Via Antonio Discovo contain most of the shops and gift shops in Manarola.

• Explora and Cinque Terre Trekking Gear shop offers hiking gear for casual travelers and those whose own gear has worn down
• I tried, but could not find local gift shops like Banchi in Riomaggiore that offered specialty gifts and the like

9. Crafting and Cooking Classes

I DID find classes for crafting, learning, and cooking.

• A Pie de Campu has wine bars and tasting classes, and most importantly, pesto classes!
• A Casa also had cooking classes at hand, with a wider variety of food stuffs like fresh fish and vegetables. I loved the ceramic plates and Tang Dynasty – at least I thought they were – plates they served on, giving the finished food an Oriental flourish
• Cuioseety would be my final recommendation for cooking classes, and they offer schooling in hand made focaccia, pesto, and wine to take it all down

Eating and Drinking in Manarola Italy

Pasta, pizza, pesto, gelato, and wine.

This is how Liguria sums up the world in 5 experiences.

• Trattoria dal Billy has some great seafood with insane scenery while at it.
• Nessun Dorma with aperitivo is dominating when coupled with their terrace overlooking the sea. They favor traditional recipes of breads, bruschetta, and salads, a plus if you are looking to experience the coast in different blends
• Il Porticciolo has the greatest sphagetti with mussels in my opinion, with desserts in the form of gelato, pesto, gelato with gnocchi, pesto with chicken, gelato, pesto, gelato, pesto…
• Marina Piccola’s soppressata di polpo and pasta was a unique experience I don’t think you can get anywhere else on the Cinque Terre. The hotel’s terrace cinched the deal for our family while staying in Manarola Italy.

Where to Stay in Manarola

I know I already mentioned this, but staying in Manarola can be made more efficient if you pick the best AirBnb or hotel to stay in. I repeat this because you will be torn for choice, and that many offer the same facilities, conveniences, and viewpoints.

Hotel Marina Piccola

• 2 minutes from Manarola Beach
• Very clean and spacious dining facilities
• Artsy decorations on the rooms with the décor designed to make you feel you are in some kind of futuristic post-apocalyptic world where scarce resources forced residents to build from both antique ceramics and stone as well as uber-modern plastics and metals
• Balconies look out over the main square and port

Olimpo Affittacamere

• Just 400m on the Via Aldo Rollandi
• Incredible viewpoint from the terrace
• Beach beds on the terrace directly facing the sea waters
• Flora and trees shade the terrace, making the place not just romantic, but comfortable and peaceful
• The interior décor of the rooms was an amazing blend of red-brick ceiling and cliff rock walls. I felt as if you lived in the most trendy and clean cavern home in the world

Arpaiu

• Found on the Via Belvedere
• Has one of the longest terraces in Manarola hovering just over the cliff
• The terrace is also covered with a tarp
• Beach beds, tables and chairs for afternoon relaxation while looking out at the sun set
• Good trendy interior décor on par with

5 TERRE PELAGOS 2

• 150 m from Manarola Beach
• Much cheaper yet trendily designed with the décor favoring ceramics, rock-face walls, and red-brick ceilings
• Balconies look over the street roads so you get to see some of the night life in Manarola

Affittacamere Ambrosia

• Rooms seem to be available on shop notice
• Very cozy and modern décor
• Windows don’t look far out to see, but rather onto the main streets below
• Balcony had a very high cuteness factor, one for couples looking to impress each other of the depths and lengths they are willing to go for each other

How to Get to Manarola

Ferries and Trains are the main modes of travel to Manarola Italy if you are fresh off the airplane. Manarola, like the rest of the Cinque Terre villages, frowns on cars barging in to their little spot of paradise. The streets are narrow and cars will inevitably detract from the rustic scene of busy, little villages on the Ligurian coast.

Train Services

Incoming tourists from the major airports of Florence, Genoa, and others can avail themselves of the train services directly heading to the Cinque Terre. From the train station, a tunnel leads you right into Manarola.

• La Spezia’s train is 10mim from Manarola and leaves every 20 minutes from 4.30am to 1am at just €5
• Pisa route has you connect to La Spezia, a journey costing you about 1.5 hrs and between €11.65 and €21.90. The good thing is that train departures run all day, and every 20 minutes
• Florence’s distance is longer at about 2.5hrs, force a change at La Spezia, costs €17.85, but are regular enough, the service stopping at around 9:30pm
• Rome’s travel route is more demanding at 3.5hrs, and there are fewer runs – about 10 trains between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm – for €32.65
• The Cinque Terre Card Train village hops the Cinque Terre villages, accords you the use of ecological bus tours, the hiking paths, and wifi on the train, and lets you run the route unlimited for the entire day

Ferry and Boat Services

• Consorzio Marittimo Turistico runs the Cinque Terre route from March to November. They touch all the Cinque Terre villages in addition to Porto Venere and La Spezia, skipping only the lonely Corniglia
• Boating travels are more adventurous but limited to Summers between April and November. They are regular enough and can be caught from La Spezia, Porto Venere, Levanto, and Porto Fino

A Short Story…

A New Beginning

The war was over, near two decades past. The scars of loss and grief remained, keen memory recalled what struggle and division cost her people. And yet, Manarola would survive and renew.

The war was over, now, near 5 years of bombing and air raids haunting sleep and work. The ancient vineyards had seen fire and ash sweep the terraces of all life and living. And yet, Manarola would rise once more, like a phoenix from the ashes.

As Mario looked over the bare terrace, an idea popped into his mind as the first soft flecks of snow settled on his cheeks before sliding away.

Yes, snow always falls. And yes, snow always melts.

The one does not hinder the other; it is a cycle, as old and enduring as life and death.

His little village had experienced loss, but snows always melted. Even now, it refused to settle on his cheeks, as if knowing they did not belong.

All he had to do was to find a way, to think up a way to make his village remember this eternal lesson.

What to do? What to do?

As his footsteps trudged, a slight slush to the wet ground sticking to his foots, his booted toe kicked something.

Curious, he stopped. Bending down, he picked up a small can, covered in rust or dirt.

It was dirt, mostly. An old can, likely from the American soldiers from back in the war.

Looking around, a sharp pang stabbed at his heart. The ground below was likely covered in the same, a pit and mound of waste and trash.

About to throw the can away, Mario stopped, a wild surmise in his mind sparking like a candle in the dark’s night.

Why? Why? Trash? Waste? No! This is it. This is how! Manarola can come back to life!