Manarola, Cinque Terre – Visit the Oldest Village of the Cinque Terre

Where is Manarola?

Manarola is part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is located in the northwest of Italy, between Genoa and Pisa.

You’ll find Manarola between the villages of Corniglia in the north and Riomaggiore in the south.

If you take the train to Manarola, you’ll have to walk a bit before reaching the village as the train station is located outside. When you exit the train station, a tunnel will take you to the village. It takes less than 5 minutes to walk from the station to the heart of the village.

What to Do in Manarola

Well, I spent most of my time taking photos when I was there, but of course, there are other things to do in Manarola. Here’s a quick list:

1. Wander around the old town 

Manarola is like a maze with its winding streets and cozy squares. Taking a walk through its old town feels like exploring and then rediscovering the streets you’ve already been on, gradually finding your way.

While strolling down the narrow streets, you’ll be treated to stunning views that might make you want to explore the city without a set path. The main street above, Via Antonio Discovolo, is filled with typical houses and houses you’ll love capturing. 

2. Visit the church of San Lorenzo

After reaching the heart of the village, we followed the main street, going uphill. After a good 5-minute walk on a steep incline (this will work your glutes!), we reached the beautiful church of San Lorenzo (Chiesa di San Lorenzo).

The church was built in 1338, and it’s one of the oldest buildings in the Cinque Terre. There is also a big bell tower in front of the church, that you can see from the distance.

3. Discover Manarola from above

Instead of going straight down back to the harbor, we decided to go up the streets and see Manarola from above.

From the church, start walking down and you’ll see a small trail on your right side. This is the “Trail 6p”, and it will take you up the hill, for a glorious view above Manarola.

From the trail, you can go directly to the main viewpoint of Manarola, by going down a small dirt path.

4. Take a swim in the port

Manarola’s small rocky port is not just a place for boats to disembark, but also a beach. With its deep waters, it has become a favorite location for swimmers and divers.

Like in the other villages of the Cinque Terre, this beach is a combination of rocks and concrete on which people lie down and dive into the water. A few ropes leading down from the rocks allow you to climb back up after a swim and return to bask in the sun.

If you’d like to enjoy it, make sure to come early as it gets crowded very quickly. The beach is small and conveniently located right outside the old town, that’s why. 

Discover more top beaches in Cinque Terre in this guide.

The Best Viewpoints in Manarola

1. Manarola postcard view 

The best spot to enjoy the view of Manarola’s colorful houses is from across the marina, on an elevated footpath above the sea. This is the view:

You can find it on the map by entering “Punta Bonfiglio” on Google Maps. 

The walkway is narrow, and it gets crowded pretty fast. If you’re planning to watch the sunset over Manarola, you might want to come in advance to make sure you’ll have a spot.

Though it’s narrow, the walkway is pretty long, and you have a splendid view of Manarola from virtually any part of the path. Move along to see Manarola from different angles.

2. From the Rocks + Secret Cave

The walkway is separated from the water by sharp rocks, gradually going down to the sea. I escaped the crowds by going out of the main way and stepping down on the rocks. Be careful if you decide to go down, it’s very steep, and the rocks are sharp.

From the rocks, you have a different view of Manarola, right above the sea, looking up towards the village.

As you can see in the images below, you can go pretty close to the water! I loved being on the rocks, technically very close to the crowds that were just above me on the walkway, but it felt good to be alone for a while.

If you have time, go explore the rocks. There is a secret cave somewhere, if you look hard enough you’ll find it 😉

3. Manarola night view 

After watching the sunset in the sea, sadly too far west from the village, we finally went to the Manarola Marina, below the village.

I wanted to take photos of Manarola at night, but there was still too much light. We decided to go eat, in a nice pizzeria in the harbor, to wait for the night to settle. After enjoying a nice dinner, I went out again to capture the beauty of the village with all the city lights, under the stars.

It was then time to go home. I packed my camera gear, and we made our way to the train station, to get to our Airbnb in Riomaggiore.

How to Get to Manarola

To get to Manarola and the Cinque Terre, the best choice is to fly to either Genoa, Florence, or Pisa.

Which city to fly to depends on where you can get the cheapest flight! Personally, I found a very cheap flight to Pisa (30€ round trip from Paris) so I flew to Pisa.

Once you’re in Italy, simply take the train to reach the village. Taking trains in Italy is very developed, and tickets are cheap!

A train ticket from Pisa to Manarola costs between 10€ and 20€ in 2024. Of course, like everywhere else, the earlier you book the cheaper! The whole journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, with a connection in the town of La Spezia. 

If you’re already in the Cinque Terre, getting from one village to the other is easy. Just go to the train station, buy a ticket there (2.40€ in 2024), and hop on the train. It takes around 3 minutes to go from one village to the next.

Book your train tickets here: Trenitalia

Tips for Visiting Manarola

To help you make the most out of your trip, you can find below a few tips:

• Don’t go straight to the harbor; start by going up to visit the church, and see the village from above
• If you plan to watch the sunset from the main viewpoint, come early to secure your spot
• Be careful if you decide to go down on the rocks
• Pack a headlamp if you’re shooting at night

Where to Stay in Manarola

The village is a good choice for a stay in the Cinque Terre. However it’s pretty popular, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Ready to make Manarola your home base? Here are the best accommodations in Manarola according to your travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – La Torretta Lodge: This is the best value hotel in town! Housed in a renovated Medieval tower, everything here is beautiful and stylish. The staff is great, the views are breathtaking, and the breakfast is delicious… What more could you ask for? 

💰 Budget Pick – Ca de Gianchi – Verdeblù: Conveniently located in town close to the train station, this lovely property provides modern and comfy rooms with all amenities at a reasonable price. Look no further if you’re on a budget! 

Not satisfied with this selection? Check out my guide to the best hotels in Manarola for more. Or check out the full list of the best hotels in Cinque Terre (in all villages).

🔍 Read More: 

Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of Italy to help you plan your trip: 

• Ultimate Guide to the Cinque Terre
• Corniglia – the Highest Village
• Vernazza – the Jewel of the Cinque Terre
• Riomaggiore – the Most Peaceful Village
• Monterosso Al Mare – the Place to Relax
• Levanto – the Perfect Starting Point
• Guide to Camp in the Cinque Terre

I hope you enjoy your trip to Manarola and the Cinque Terre! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.