"Le Cinque Terre" Riomaggiore by cpiers47

Riomaggiore Travel Guide: 286 reviews and 921 photos

Riomaggiore so captured us that we returned three times in a month! It was close to Florence and train tickets were only 8 euro one way. The first weekend was our planned trip - 4 days of kayaking, hiking and eating gelato. The other two were just day trips because we loved the Cinque Terre so much.

Riomaggiore has the best gelato and the best bread that I found in Italy. By the last trip, my friend had a gelato in one hand and a breadstick in the other!

The town is small and divided in two by a tunnel that runs along the train tracks. When we were there, the inside of the tunnel was being covered with blue tiles and sea shells that made it look more like a theme park than a Mediterranean village - but somehow it fit.

Even in the rain. . .

On our way to the Cinque Terre the second time, it started to rain as our train headed north. We bravely decided to try the beach in Montorosso anyway and all fell asleep there. When it really began to rain, we piled back on the train to head to Bar Centrale in Riomaggiore. We comforted ourselves with gelato and played cards - two very good rainy day things!

Through the Tunnel

La Stazione di Riomaggiore

The main sights of Riomaggiore actually involve retracing your steps. After getting off the train, walk back along the train tracks through the Sea World-esque tunnel to the real center of town. Up the hill are restaurants and apartments to rent, through the narrow passage is the sea with its boats, kayaks and amazing sunsets.

Pros and Cons

Pros:This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
Cons:NONE!
In a nutshell:If I could only vacation one place for the rest of my life, this would be my choice.

Last visit to Riomaggiore: May 2003
Intro Updated Sep 27, 2007
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Reviews (11)

Mar Mar Kayak Rental Sports & Outdoors (2)

We rented kayaks (approx. 5 euros per hour for one person) and headed along the coast. Although the trip was a dramatic... more travel advice

5 Terre Train Trip Transportation (1)

Tourists from Florence will arrive by train (perhaps with a change in Pisa and LaSpezia). Once you've reached the Cinque... more travel advice

A Must! Restaurants (3)

First, let me establish myself and my 5 Terre travel companions as gelato experts. We have tried a lot of gelato and,... more travel advice

Hike the 5 Lands Sports & Outdoors (2)

If you have more than a day or two in the 5 Terre, a hike from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. As it's a national park, you... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Apr 16, 2008

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Kayaking in the Mediterranean

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Comments (8)

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BillNJ Dec 19, 2009 at 8:18 AM

Nice tips and photos about Riomaggiore. The three flavors of gelato in a waffle cone sounds especially good!
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BruceDunning Aug 16, 2009 at 1:27 PM

The trials of going through daily life in foreign country-with no money it surely gets more difficult.
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cachaseiro Aug 8, 2009 at 12:41 AM

great page carrie. i would love to visit that part of italy myself soon.
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jelw Jul 24, 2008 at 9:06 PM

I have been attempting to get to Cinque Terre for years. It is still my mist desired next destination.
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CALSF Feb 26, 2008 at 6:28 PM

Thanks for the kind comments and ratings, Carrie. I enjoyed reading your Riomaggiore page and wished we'd have had time to visit as it is so pretty!
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icunme Feb 18, 2008 at 11:49 AM

Hi Carrie - Hoping to see all this soon - I've saved your apartment tip - just great!
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Lacristina Jan 10, 2006 at 6:20 PM

Hey, I see you love Cinque Terre as much as EllenH and I do! Can't wait to get back. I have a special someone I want to see it. And you live in Montana - just like Ellen!
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EllenH Dec 27, 2004 at 8:58 PM

there is nothing not to love about the cinque terre.