A romantic walk perched above the sea

The Cinque Terre cling to the mountains bathed by the sea: five small towns, half-way between Genoa and Pisa, whose isolation lasted for almost a century until the railway line was built at the end of the 19th century; an isolation that contributed towards maintaining the beauty and charm of the area.

Each of the five towns deserves a stop to appreciate the delicious dishes and exquisite wines. All you have to do is follow the Sentiero Azzurro: the most classic and well-known excursion through the Cinque Terre, which allows you to visit all five seaside towns set between the blue of the sea and the sky.

An absolute must is the first part of the walk between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Less than one kilometre long, this easy walk takes just twenty minutes: we’re talking about “La Via dell’Amore”. Famous throughout the world for its beauty and breathtaking views, it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the area and is an integral part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Along the pathway, the rocks are encapsulated by wire mesh to prevent rock falls and lovers from all over the world come here to seal their love with a padlock, just as lovers have always done until recently on the Milvio bridge over the River Tiber.

The area initially started to attract young local lovers, awestruck by its romantic beauty. And so it was renamed “La Via dell’Amore”.

 

Please Note: the Sentiero Azzurro pathways can sometimes be closed, therefore we advise you to consult the Cinque Terre National Park website where you can find an updated map of the pathways:   www.parconazionale5terre.it