FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

During the tourist season, ferry connections operate between Cinque Terre villages and nearby locations. Timetables vary according to the period, and the service depends on sea and weather conditions. The ferry is the most scenic way to discover the coast, but we always recommend checking timetables before departure.

Yes, when the routes are open and accessible. The most famous connection is the Via dell’Amore, which links Riomaggiore and Manarola. Access is regulated and requires booking for visitors.

No, parking spaces in Riomaggiore and Manarola generally cannot be booked in advance. During the busiest periods, we recommend arriving early or choosing the train.

Yes, but spaces are limited and may fill up quickly in high season. In Riomaggiore, Rio Park is located in the upper part of the village. In Manarola, the main car parks are Posella and Acquarino, around 10–15 minutes on foot from the centre.

It is important to pay attention to road signs: many spaces, especially those marked with yellow lines, are reserved for residents or other authorised categories.

Yes, but it is not the most practical way to visit Riomaggiore and Manarola. The villages have narrow roads, pedestrian areas, regulated access and limited parking. During the busiest periods, it is often more convenient to park in La Spezia or Levanto and continue by train.

The recommended option is the train. Riomaggiore and Manarola railway stations are located directly in the villages and are connected to the railway line between La Spezia and Levanto. The main reference station for visitors arriving from many Italian cities is La Spezia Centrale.

No. The Riomaggiore Guest Card and the Cinque Terre Card are different tools.

The Riomaggiore Guest Card is linked to overnight stays in accommodation facilities within the Municipality of Riomaggiore and offers specific benefits for guests staying in the area.

The Cinque Terre Card, on the other hand, is the pass of the Cinque Terre National Park. It provides access to certain Park services, paid trails and, in the Train version, also to regional train connections along the designated route.

No. The Riomaggiore Guest Card does not provide a discount on the Via dell’Amore ticket.

Guest Card holders must still purchase an access ticket and book their visit. However, the card offers facilitated access conditions compared with day visitors.

The Riomaggiore Guest Card allows guests to access free services, benefits and special conditions in the area. The main benefits include:

• the possibility to walk the Via dell’Amore in both directions;
• the possibility to access the Via dell’Amore freely during the stay, including outside the booked time slot;
• free use of Riomaggiore public lifts;
• free use of public toilets;
• reduced ticket for the Castle of Riomaggiore.

The Riomaggiore Guest Card is linked to overnight stays in accommodation facilities within the Municipality of Riomaggiore. It is therefore designed for guests staying in the municipal area, not for day visitors.

The Riomaggiore Guest Card is the welcome programme dedicated to visitors who choose to stay overnight in the Municipality of Riomaggiore: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Volastra, Groppo and the other municipal localities.

The card has been created to value those who choose to experience the destination with greater attention and a more conscious approach.

The Cinque Terre Card can be purchased online through the official channels and at the Cinque Terre National Park Info Points.

No, it depends on the type of visit. It is required to access some paid trails and may be convenient if you plan to use the train several times between the villages. It is not required for a simple walk through the inhabited centres.

The Cinque Terre Trekking Card includes access to the Park’s paid trails and to other related services.

The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card also includes regional train travel along the Levanto – Cinque Terre – La Spezia Centrale route, according to the conditions of the card.

The Cinque Terre Card is the pass of the Cinque Terre National Park. It provides access to useful services for visiting the area and contributes to the protection of the territory, the maintenance of the trails and the management of Park services.

The Via dell’Amore is a panoramic pedestrian route between Riomaggiore and Manarola. It is easier than the Cinque Terre hiking trails, but access is still regulated and subject to specific visiting conditions.

The route is short, around 20 minutes, and is also suitable for those who do not usually hike. It is still important to respect the booked time slot, staff instructions and visiting rules.

The standard access procedure provides entry from Riomaggiore and exit in Manarola, with a one-way route for day visitors during regulated time slots.

Guests with a Riomaggiore Guest Card can benefit from facilitated access conditions, according to the programme rules.

The Via dell’Amore is accessible with regulated access procedures. Visitors are required to book, and access takes place according to time slots and availability.
Visiting conditions may vary: before planning the route, we always recommend checking the latest official information.

In general, yes, but dogs must be kept on a leash, other hikers must be respected, and waste must always be collected. We recommend checking any specific rules for individual routes or Park areas.

Some routes are easier, while others require more attention because of elevation changes, steps and sun-exposed sections. Before choosing an itinerary, we recommend asking at the Info Points and considering length, difficulty, weather and how used the children are to walking.

This is strongly discouraged. The Cinque Terre trails are not urban walks: they require suitable footwear and attention. Wearing inappropriate shoes can make the route dangerous.

Yes. We recommend wearing hiking shoes or, in any case, footwear with a good sole. Many trails include elevation changes, stairways, uneven surfaces and exposed sections.

In the warmer months, it is important to bring water, sun protection and choose the cooler hours of the day.

No. Trails may be closed for maintenance, adverse weather conditions or safety reasons. It is always necessary to check the opening status of the routes through the official Park channels.

We recommend checking the official channels of the Municipality, the Cinque Terre National Park, ARPAL Liguria and any notices published on the Visit Cinque Terre website.

No. During a weather alert, access to the trails may be prohibited or strongly discouraged. It is always necessary to follow the instructions of the authorities, the Park, Civil Protection and staff in the area.

In the event of a weather alert, restrictions, closures or service suspensions may be introduced for safety reasons. Trails may be closed, and ferry connections may be suspended.

In Riomaggiore, public lifts are available to make it easier to move around the village. Free use of the public lifts is one of the benefits included with the Riomaggiore Guest Card.

Yes, public toilets are available in the villages and at the railway stations. Some services are included with the Cinque Terre Card, according to the conditions set by the Park.

The Riomaggiore Guest Card also includes free use of public toilets for guests staying in accommodation facilities within the Municipality of Riomaggiore.

Yes, taxi and private transfer services are available for local transfers, connections with railway stations, airports or other destinations. Since availability is limited compared with larger cities, booking in advance is recommended, especially in high season.

For rates and bookings, you can contact 5 Terre Transfer:

Email: 5terretransfer@libero.it

Marzio Ghidoni - Phone: +39 340 3565268

Luciana Matteo - Phone: +39 339 1301183

Yes, some luggage services are available in the area, useful for those who arrive before check-in, leave after check-out or want to visit the villages without carrying suitcases.

In Riomaggiore, a luggage delivery, pick-up and transport service is operated by Roberto Pecunia and is available 24 hours a day. For rates and bookings, please contact +39 329 8966219.

In Manarola, the service is available at the Explora shop, located in the centre at Via Antonio Discovolo 204, 19017 Manarola SP. For more information and rates, please contact +39 0187 920785.

You can contact the Cinque Terre National Park Info Points, located in the villages and in the main access points such as La Spezia and Levanto.

At the Info Points, you can receive information about visits, trails, transport, the Cinque Terre Card, bus and shuttle services, and information materials for hiking and visiting the villages.

Diving in unauthorised or unsafe areas is discouraged. Seabeds, currents, rocks and waves can pose a danger. It is always necessary to respect signs and local instructions.

Riomaggiore and Manarola mainly offer natural access points to the sea or rocky coastal areas. Those looking for larger and more equipped beaches may also consider other places along the coast, such as Monterosso or the Gulf of Poets.

Yes, during suitable periods it is possible to swim in some coastal areas, always paying attention to sea conditions, rocks and the signs on site.

Riomaggiore and Manarola are not destinations with large sandy beaches: access to the sea may be rocky and requires caution.

Yes. Families can visit the villages, use the train to move around, take part in local experiences, discover easily reachable viewpoints and choose short routes suitable for children’s ages.

Before starting a trail, it is always best to check the difficulty, length and current conditions of the route.

Yes, but it is not always convenient. Stairs, slopes and crowded sections can make using a stroller difficult, especially during the busiest periods.

For some visits, a baby carrier or child carrier backpack may be more practical.

The historic villages of the Cinque Terre have stairways, climbs, descents, narrow lanes and uneven paving. Some areas are more accessible than others, but visiting can be challenging for people with reduced mobility.

We recommend planning in advance and asking the Info Points for updated information.

No, unless you are on authorised routes or taking part in organised visits. Terraces and vineyards are often private and productive areas, as well as fragile elements of the landscape. It is important to stay on marked trails.

The use of drones is subject to national regulations, local rules and possible restrictions linked to protected areas, inhabited centres and safety. Before using a drone, you must check authorisations and prohibitions.

By respecting the territory and those who live here: do not leave waste behind, do not leave marked trails, do not damage dry-stone walls, vineyards and terraces, do not block passages, stairways or private entrances, and avoid noise or intrusive behaviour.

The Cinque Terre are a fragile landscape: every action contributes to the quality of the visitor experience and to the protection of the destination.

Find out more about the Riomaggiore Responsible programme

The rules for transporting animals depend on the type of transport and the service operator. Before departure, we recommend checking the updated rules for trains, ferries, buses or transfers.

Yes, dogs can accompany visitors in the villages, in compliance with ordinary rules: leash, attention in crowded spaces and collection of waste. We recommend bringing water, especially in the warmer months.

In case of rain, it is advisable to avoid the trails and focus on activities in the villages, cultural visits, food and wine experiences, shops and indoor experiences.

In the event of a weather alert, it is essential to follow official instructions and not access the trails if this is prohibited or discouraged.

Early morning and late afternoon are often the best times to visit Riomaggiore and Manarola more calmly, especially during the busiest periods.

Those staying in the villages can also experience the destination during the most authentic moments of the day, when the flow of day visitors decreases.

In high season, it is advisable to book accommodation, experiences, restaurants and, where required, access to the Via dell’Amore in advance.

Buying the Cinque Terre Card in advance can also help you organise your visit more easily.

Staying overnight in the Municipality of Riomaggiore allows you to experience the villages at their quietest moments, early in the morning and in the evening, when the flow of day visitors decreases. It is also the best choice if you want to explore the area slowly and take part in local experiences.

Guests staying in accommodation facilities within the municipality can also access the benefits of the Riomaggiore Guest Card.

Riomaggiore and Manarola can be visited all year round. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking, exploring the villages at a calmer pace and enjoying the landscape in milder temperatures. Summer is the liveliest period, but also the busiest: it is advisable to plan transport, visits, experiences and accommodation in advance.