Why I Fell in Love With Riomaggiore

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And then there was Riomaggiore.

The first time I saw it, I immediately understood why so many people fall in love with Cinque Terre. It gave me what I like to call a “wow” moment. Colourful houses stacked against the cliffs, tiny fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, waves crashing against the rocks, and narrow alleyways twisting up along the village.

But what surprised me most wasn’t just how beautiful Riomaggiore was. It was how it felt. It’s hard to explain, but to me it just felt different than the other villages.

Riomaggiore Felt More Atmospheric Than The Other Villages

There’s something about Riomaggiore that feels effortlessly cinematic. The steep staircases, the little wine bars tucked into the stone buildings, laundry hanging between faded shutters, small shops to get local delicacies. It just felt calm. Even walking back from dinner felt magical there.

Compared to some of the other villages, Riomaggiore felt less polished and slightly more authentic. Not untouched by tourism — nowhere in Cinque Terre really is anymore — but still somehow softer around the edges. Even though it absolutely has its fair share of tourists, it somehow felt less crowded than the other villages. Yes, Corniglia had fewer crowds, but because of its small size it still felt more crowded to me than Riomaggiore. Maybe I was lucky, but that’s what it was like.

During the middle of the day, every Cinque Terre village can feel crowded. But Riomaggiore changed completely in the evening once most visitors left. The atmosphere became slower, calmer, and more intimate. And honestly, I think that’s the version of Cinque Terre people fall in love with most.

Sunset In Riomaggiore Was One Of My Favourite Moments In Italy

If there’s one thing I miss most about Riomaggiore, it’s the sunset.

Every evening, people slowly gathered along the rocks near the small harbour carrying bottles of wine, takeaway focaccia, a gelato, aperol spritzes, and little paper cones of fried seafood. There wasn’t really a rush to do anything. Everyone just sat quietly watching the light change over the sea. Some swimming and jumping, but most just relaxing.

And when the sun dropped lower, the buildings began glowing warm orange and pink against the cliffs. It felt simple and beautiful in the best possible way.

I have to admit that watching the sunset in Manarola also was a highlight, but it felt less relaxed than in Riomaggiore. Everyone was crowded along the same path to watch the sunset, whilst in Riomaggiore there were more spots to watch it from. Some standing on the viewing platform, some from the beach, some in the water and some on the rocks along the harbour.

It Was The Perfect Base For Exploring Cinque Terre

Another of the reasons I ended up loving Riomaggiore so much was because it felt incredibly easy to settle into. The train station is conveniently located, making it simple to explore the other villages during the day, but returning to Riomaggiore each evening genuinely felt like coming home in a way.

It also had plenty of restaurants and wine bars, beautiful viewpoints if you walk higher up in the village, easy swimming access, charming side streets and slightly fewer crowds late in the evening

I especially loved starting my mornings there before the day-trippers arrived. The village felt completely different early in the morning. And it’s perfect for a morning dip before you start exploring.

The Swimming Here Was Incredible

One thing I hadn’t fully realized before visiting Cinque Terre is how much time I would end up spending in the water. I visited in October so I hadn't thought I’d be swimming at all. However, the water was still pleasantly warm and I had at least one swim every day. I need to mention that even though Monterosso is more famous for its beach, they had already packed away all the beach chairs so the beach didn't feel as inviting as it does in pictures. The more rocky beach in Riomaggiore still did, so that's where I spent most of my time swimming.

Best Places To Stay in Riomaggiore

If you're ready to book your next adventure you'll find some of my favourite stays in Riomaggiore below.

La Vista Di Marina - Riomaggiore ($220 per night)

This is a stylish boutique hotel in Riomaggiore, offering elegant rooms with breathtaking sea views right above the marina.

Alla Marina Affitacamere - Riomaggiore ($170 per night)

This is a charming, family-run guesthouse set in a historic building right by Riomaggiore’s harbour, offering modern rooms with sea views just steps from the train station.

Final Thoughts On Riomaggiore

I loved all of Cinque Terre in different ways, but Riomaggiore was the village that stayed with me the longest.

Maybe it was the sunsets. Maybe it was the atmosphere after dark. Maybe it was the way everyday life still seemed to exist beneath all the tourism. Whatever it was, Riomaggiore felt special from the very beginning and I highly recommend everyone going to Cinque Terre to spend some extra tome here.

I hope this helps you plan your upcoming adventure to Cinque Terre and Italy. If you have any questions about travel in Italy, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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