Riomaggiore and Manarola: Enjoy Them with Wonder, Protect Them with Respect
Experience Riomaggiore Responsibly
Riomaggiore and Manarola are not only destinations to visit. They are places to respect.
Here, the landscape is the result of centuries of human work, vineyards built stone by stone, trails suspended between sea and mountains, and a community that continues to live in a fragile and extraordinary territory.
Every year, many people choose the Cinque Terre to admire their beauty. Today, however, the real challenge is not only welcoming visitors: it is protecting the balance that makes this place unique in the world.
This is why the Riomaggiore Responsible Visitor Charter was created: an invitation to experience the village and its territory with care, awareness and respect.
Every action, even the smallest one, has an impact on the landscape, the environment and the quality of life of those who live here every day. Being a responsible visitor means choosing a different way to travel: slower, more authentic and more sustainable.
It means not only being a spectator of an extraordinary place, but helping to protect it.
Riomaggiore welcomes you. Help us take care of it.
Riomaggiore welcomes you.
Help us preserve it!
The Responsible Visitor Charter
Riomaggiore, Manarola and the other villages are set within an extraordinary but fragile territory. Narrow streets, terraces, trails, the sea and the everyday life of residents coexist in a delicate balance.
Our villages are living places, inhabited and cared for every day by the community. Those who visit them have a responsibility to help protect them.
The guidelines are not designed to limit the experience, but to preserve what makes this territory unique.
When you are a guest in Riomaggiore, Manarola and the Cinque Terre, we ask you to:
respect the territory and the local community;
protect the natural environment and the landscape;
adopt responsible and sustainable behaviour;
respect the work of farmers, fishermen, artisans and local operators;
contribute to the preservation of the villages and the Cinque Terre landscape for future generations.
Guidelines for Responsible Visitors
1. Respect the rhythm of the place
The Cinque Terre are not meant to be rushed. Walk slowly, observe, listen and leave space for those who live and work in the villages every day.
When it is crowded, avoid blocking narrow passages, stairways, lanes and trails to take photos or videos. Even a small gesture of care can help make the visit more enjoyable for everyone.
2. Protect the landscape
The territory of Riomaggiore and Manarola is fragile. Stay on authorised trails, follow signs and do not enter closed, private or unsafe areas.
Do not pick up stones, flowers, plants or natural elements. Do not climb on dry-stone walls, vineyards, railings or protected areas to take photographs.
Every action can cause erosion, damage the landscape or create dangerous situations.
3. Leave no trace
Always carry your waste with you until you reach a collection point. Reduce the use of single-use plastic and, whenever possible, use a refillable water bottle.
Do not leave cigarette butts, chewing gum, bottles or other waste in the lanes, along the trails, on the rocks or in the sea. Do not make graffiti or write on walls, stones, benches or public surfaces.
The landscape and the sea you admire also depend on your behaviour.
4. Respect those who live here
Riomaggiore and Manarola are also homes, not scenic sets. They are inhabited villages, with their own rhythms, spaces and everyday needs.
Avoid shouting, loud music and intrusive behaviour, especially in the evening and at night. Do not occupy private entrances, stairways, doorways or passage areas.
Do not photograph people, homes or private spaces without permission. Respect is the first form of mutual hospitality.
5. Choose local activities and products
Support the local economy. Choose local products, crafts, restaurants, shops, farms and activities run by local operators.
Valuing the work of those who live and work here means contributing to the care of the terraces, the maintenance of the cultural landscape and the vitality of the community.
Every choice can become a concrete gesture of protection.
6. Move sustainably
Use the train, walking routes, shuttle buses and public transport whenever possible. Plan your visit by avoiding, when you can, the busiest times of day.
Moving sustainably helps reduce pressure on the territory, improves the visitor experience and contributes to the quality of life of residents.
7. Enjoy the sea responsibly
The sea is a precious ecosystem. Do not leave waste on the rocks or in the water, and respect marine wildlife, boats and the work of fishermen.
Avoid diving in prohibited, dangerous or unsafe areas. Seabeds, currents, rocks and waves can pose real risks.
The Cinque Terre sea should be enjoyed with care, caution and respect.
8. Dress and behave appropriately
Riomaggiore and Manarola are authentic, inhabited places, not only seaside resorts. In the villages, it is important to behave in a way that respects public decorum and the daily life of the community.
Avoid walking shirtless or in swimwear away from bathing areas. Do not use steps, squares, churchyards or public spaces as private areas for improvised picnics, camping-style stops or long stays.
9. Share beauty, not overcrowding
Sharing Riomaggiore and Manarola on social media can help people discover the territory, but it is important to do so consciously.
Before posting content, ask yourself whether you are enhancing the place or encouraging harmful, dangerous or disrespectful behaviour.
Promote slow, authentic and respectful experiences. The beauty of the Cinque Terre is not only what appears in a photo, but above all the way you choose to experience it.
10. Leave the place better than you found it
A true traveller does not only take: they give value back.
A kind gesture, care for the environment, respect for the community, genuine curiosity and attention to shared spaces are the most important contribution you can leave.
Riomaggiore and Manarola welcome you with their beauty. Help us protect it, today and for those who will come after you.