Manarola - Cinque Terre Village

Manarola

Manarola is one of the five villages in Cinque Terre situated on top of a rocky outcrop. It is the oldest and second-smallest of the Cinque Terre towns. Population remains under 400 inhabitants.

Of all the villages, this one has the most grapevines to-date. Also, did you know that Manarola is famous for its sweet Sciacchetra wine? Now that is pretty cool. Sciacchetra takes its name from the local dialect sentence that describes it production process of crushing and pulling out Sciac-trà.

The picturesque tall houses are arranged in layers over the cliffside leading down to its small harbor with a boat ramp facing the sea and a tiny piazza with several seafood restaurants.  Manarola is connected to Riomaggiore by the famous Via dell’Amore (Lovers’ Lane); a footpath carved into the rocks above the sea. Although closed since 2012 because of four tourist being injured after a landslide, it is finally slated to re-open in 2023.

Before you head out to the next village, make sure to visit the Church of San Lorenzo built in 1338. Also two events worth noting - The San Lorenzo Feast in August and the lighted nativity which has the hills fully illuminated with more than 200 figures and 12,000 lamps from the beginning of December to the end of January.

The grapevines surrounding Manarola and the bustling main street and waterfront promenade make this a favorite of Cinque Terre.