Cinque Terre is a group of five charming villages located on the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera and a popular destination for travelers looking for stunning views and picturesque landscapes.
If you’re visiting the region soon and want to make sure you’ll get to enjoy the very best views in Cinque Terre, then this blog post is for you. I’ll not only list the most incredible panoramic points in each village, but I’ll also give you tips on how to reach them.
Best views in Vernazza
There are three excellent vantage points in Vernazza that offer different angles of both the village and the sea.
01. Monterosso trail viewpoint
One of these viewpoints can be found on the trail that connects Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare, which is one of the two paid paths in Cinque Terre.
This spot is quite popular and you may have already seen numerous photos taken from here on the internet.
If you plan to visit it during peak season, you will need to have a Cinque Terre card, as it is located beyond the checkpoint where trail passes are verified.
However, if you don’t plan to do the actual hike, you can ask the staff for permission to visit the viewing point briefly to take some photos. Hopefully, they will allow you.
02. Corniglia trail viewpoint
To reach the second viewing point, you must follow the signs pointing to the hiking trail going to Corniglia.
Although this is also a paid trail, no hiking pass is necessary to reach the viewing point as it’s located just before the start of the actual path.
Lastly, I should warn you that you will need to climb several flights of stairs to reach this viewpoint. However, I assure you that the effort is worth it.
03. Castello Doria viewpoint
This last viewpoint offers panoramic views of both the sea and the village, but you’ll have to pay a fee of 2 euros to visit it (cash only).
It’s worth noting that reaching this viewpoint involves climbing a significant number of stairs as well, and it’s often crowded.
Best views in Corniglia
Corniglia boasts two viewpoints that provide entirely different perspectives: one showcases the village and the other offers a stunning view of the sea and mountains.
04. Village viewpoint
In my opinion, the most beautiful panorama in Corniglia is the view of the village that you get from the terraced gardens.
To reach this spot, you can follow one of the public paths that descend to different lots from the Via Stazione street. However, make sure to stay on the footpath and not enter any of the private gardens.
Alternatively, you can enjoy a similar panorama from the street itself.
05. Terrazza Panoramica Di Santa Maria
For the best view of the sea and the surrounding mountains, I recommend visiting the S. Maria Panoramic Terrace, also known as Terrazza Panoramica Di Santa Maria.
This is arguably the most famous viewpoint in Corniglia, and you can even catch a glimpse of Manarola from there. The easiest way to find the terrace is to just walk on Via Solferino until you reach the end.
Best views in Manarola
In Manarola, there are two viewpoints from where you can get really nice views of the colorful houses of the village.
06. Manarola Overlook Viewpoint
For the classic postcard view of the village, head to Manarola Overlook Viewpoint.
Finding this viewpoint is quite easy as it is clearly marked on Google Maps. Simply follow the alley that goes up the hill from the harbor.
If you ascend the flight of stairs located near the end of the alley (which also leads to Nessun Dorma restaurant), you can also enjoy some breathtaking sea views from the small viewing terrace you’ll find there.
07. Vineyards viewpoint
Another great viewpoint of Manarola can be found on the path going up to the vineyards right above the village. You can access the trail from Via Antonio Discovolo Street.
As they are somewhat off the beaten path, the vineyard trails are much less crowded than the village itself and the iconic Manarola viewpoint.
Best views in Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore also boasts of two viewpoints that offer picturesque views of the village’s harbor. However, accessing them requires navigating some uneven rocks, so it’s important to exercise caution.
08. Cliff viewpoint
This viewpoint is located atop a very tall cliff protruding out into the sea, so be very careful when visiting it.
The path leading to the viewpoint is pretty uneven, therefore you should wear appropriate shoes (no flip-flops!), and there are no barriers on the edge of the cliff.
09. Pier viewpoint
You can find the next viewpoint on the pier that protects Riomaggiore’s charming harbor from the sea and since it’s quite a popular spot, you’ve probably already seen various photos captured from this location.
The path leading up to it terminates at water level, so in order to get a better view of the village, you’ll need to walk on the actual pier, which is made of huge pointy rocks. So be careful with your footing!
Best view in Monterosso al Mare
Ironically enough the most iconic view of Monterosso al Mare features the newer part of the village.
10. Viewing platform on Via Fegina
To see it, head to the small viewing platform on Via Fegina Street, located just before the entrance to the narrow tunnel that connects the new section of the village with the old one.
From this vantage point, you can admire the Scoglio di Monterosso rock, which jolts out into the sea from the beach.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Cinque Terre is a destination worth visiting for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike. The colorful houses perched on high cliffs, the turquoise waters of the sea, and the terraced vineyards truly make this region one of the most unique places to visit in Italy.
And if you are planning a trip to Cinque Terre any time soon, then make sure to check out my Cinque Terre travel guide as well, for more tips and information on how to make the most of your visit.
Happy travels~
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