Cinque Terre

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Seaside village of Manarola in Cinque Terre.

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Overview

Set amid some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet, these five ingeniously constructed fishing villages can bolster the most jaded of spirits. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, Cinque Terre isn't the undiscovered Eden it once was but, frankly, who cares? Sinuous paths traverse seemingly impregnable cliff sides, while a 19th-century railway line cut through a series of coastal tunnels ferries the footsore from village to village. Thankfully cars were banned over a decade ago.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV

Manarola

This small piazza is dominated by a bell tower that was once used as a defensive lookout. Opposite, the Chiesa di San Lorenzo dates from 1338 and houses a…

PORTOVENERE, ITALY - 2009/08/06: Doria Castle at the coastline of the Cinque Terre National Park. (Photo by Olaf Protze/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Castello Doria

Vernazza

This castle, the oldest surviving fortification in the Cinque Terre, commands superb views. Dating to around 1000, it's now largely a ruin except for the…

Chiesa di Santa Margherita d'Antiochia

Vernazza

The waterfront is framed by this small Ligurian-Gothic church, built on a small seafront promontory in 1318 on the site of an 11th-century Romanesque…

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

Riomaggiore

Set in the upper part of town, this striking church was founded in 1340 but received a facelift in 1870 giving it a neo-Gothic facade. Original 14th…

Chiesa San Giovanni Battista

Monterosso

One of the oldest churches in Cinque Terre, San Giovanni Battista has a striped facade dating back to 1307. The Ligurian-Gothic design features white and…

Chiesa San Pietro

Corniglia

Near the entrance to the village, the small Gothic church dedicated to St Peter has stood here since at least the 14th century (and was likely built on…

Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Manarola

Built in 1338 in Ligurian-Gothic style, the small stone church of San Lorenzo is notable for several finely made triptychs, including a 14th-century…

Oratorio della Santa Croce

Monterosso

This was the seat for one of two confraternities (secular associations dedicated to doing charitable works) in Monterosso which was active from the 15th…

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