In a nutshell

  • Manarola, along with Vernazza, is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cinque Terre — it should absolutely be on your itinerary when visiting Manarola and the surrounding coast.
  • The standout highlight is the Punta Bonfiglio viewing terrace — it gives you the best panorama of Manarola, bar none.
  • Manarola is home to one of the best restaurants in the Cinque Terre: Nessun Dorma. Make a reservation well in advance — it fills up fast.
  • The village has a small but solid selection of places to stay. We love the Amanarola for its perfect blend of modern design and historic character.

Things to Do in Manarola

Manarola is definitely one of the most beautiful villages in the Cinque Terre.

The residents have made use of every possible square meter, and the narrow, colorful little houses are packed tightly side by side and on top of one another.

Here’s everything worth seeing in Manarola:

Punta Bonfiglio Viewpoint

Statue of a woman with a view of a village by the sea in the background
From this observation terrace you get the perfect view of Manarola

From Manarola’s harbor, the Via Belvedere walkway runs along the sea to the Punta Bonfiglio observation platform. It’s just a few minutes on foot from the historic center.

A narrow staircase leads up to the small piazza. At the top you’ll find a park with a playground — and of course a fantastic panorama of the sea and Manarola.

You’ll also find one of the best wine bars in the Cinque Terre here: Nessun Dorma. We cover it in more detail in our restaurant tips below!

San Lorenzo Viewpoint

View from below between buildings up to a church on a hill
From the church square in Manarola you have a lovely view of the village

The medieval church of San Lorenzo is nothing out of the ordinary, but what makes this spot special is the combination of the church, a free-standing bell tower, and the view.

From here you look out over the gorge of Manarola, with its colorful little houses, all the way down to the sea.

That’s also why the bell tower was used as a watchtower in the Middle Ages — to spot pirates out at sea.

Via dell'Amore

Aerial view of a coastline with a small village and a hiking trail carved into the cliffs
The Via dell’Amore is considered the most beautiful hiking trail in the Cinque Terre

The Via dell’Amore, or the Path of Love, is a 1-kilometer walkway from Manarola to Riomaggiore. It’s completely paved and flat, so you don’t need to be in any particular shape to walk it.

Why is it called the Path of Love? Because couples from Riomaggiore and Manarola used to meet here in secret.

The path is carved into the cliffs high above the sea and is seriously breathtaking. There is a maximum capacity of 400 people per hour and you’ll need to buy a ticket for 5 euros. If you have the Cinque Terre Card, entry is included.

Where to Stay in Manarola

Large, bright room with white wooden beams and a modern double bed
The Amanarola consists of just two rooms and a suite (© Amanarola)
  1. Large, bright room with white wooden beams and modern double bed

    Amanarola

  2. Double room in the L'Emporio Rooms

    L’Emporio

  3. Double room at Hotel Marina

    Hotel Marina Piccola

Would you rather stay in a different village? In our Cinque Terre hotel tips we’ve handpicked the best places to stay across the entire region — all with great locations and solid value for money.

Our Restaurant Tips in Manarola

Aperitivo with snacks and wine glasses with rocks and sea in the background
Nessun Dorma is one of the most popular wine bars in the Cinque Terre — make sure to reserve a table!

Manarola, like all the other Cinque Terre villages, is very touristy. Even so, there are a few great spots where the food is prepared with genuine Italian love:

  • Fooderia: delicious sandwiches and fish burgers. Perfect for eating at the harbor with your legs dangling over the water!
  • Nessun Dorma: snack bar with a seriously impressive view, hugely popular throughout the Cinque Terre! Be sure to reserve a table on the Nessun Dorma website.
  • Trattoria da Billy: fresh fish and homemade pasta with a view of the sea. One of the best fish restaurants in the Cinque Terre!

Hiking from Manarola

Paved path leading down to a village on a cliff by the sea at sunset
From Manarola you can hike to Riomaggiore or to Corniglia

Beyond the Via dell’Amore, which we covered in the highlights section above, there are two more hiking trails worth knowing about: the Via Beccara to Riomaggiore and the over five-kilometer-long trail to Corniglia.

Both are free of charge, but they’re no walk in the park — there are several steep inclines and flights of steps. In return, you’ll be rewarded time and again with breathtaking vistas.

Hiking shoes and a water bottle are a must!

Getting to Manarola

If you’re staying in La Spezia, the easiest way to reach Manarola — just like all the other Cinque Terre villages — is by taking the Cinque Terre Express from La Spezia.

The journey takes less than 15 minutes and the ticket costs 5 euros. With the Cinque Terre MS Card, the ride is free.

You can also drive to Manarola by car, but the road is very steep and winding. There is also only a small paid parking lot, which fills up quickly during peak season.

You cannot drive into the village itself.

For a broader overview of the region, also check out our complete Cinque Terre guide.