The Cinque Terre is “Five Villages” on the Ligurian coast in northwestern Italy. These unique villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare are basically in the sides of the hills, connected by hiking trails, the sea, and a train through the rocks. A popular tourist activity is hiking between villages, through vineyards and people’s backyards, up and down many steep steps and paths, as you take in the breathtaking beauty of the Ligurian Sea and coastline below. The whole area is a protected national park.
Riomaggiore
Manarola
Corniglia
Vernazza
Monterosso al Mare
Trail down to Vernazza
Riomaggiore
One of the many highlights of the area is a few unique murals in Riomaggiore, painted by Argentine artist Silvio Benedetto, depicting the people who originally built the town:
Silvio Benedetto Mural "Unknown Heros of the Cinque Terre," Riomaggiore
Silvio Benedetto Mural, town center of Riomaggiore
Between Riomaggore and Manarola is a beautiful walk, famously known as the via dell’Amore (“Lovers’ Lane”). The walk is full of tokens of love left behind by couples and even a tribute to the Beatles.
via dell'Amore, Cinque Terre, Italy
via dell'Amore, Beatles Abbey Road Plaque, Cinque Terre, Italy
The sun setting into the Ligurian Sea in the Cinque Terre is truly magical:
Cinque Terre, Ligurian Sea, Sunset
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