A Romantic Getaway in Cinque Terre: Fall in Love with Riomaggiore

There's something special about the way the villages of Cinque Terre meet the sea. Houses climb the hillsides, narrow streets wind up and down between old buildings, and suddenly a view opens up that makes you want to stop for a moment.

Here, a walk can become the best plan of the day. You can head out without a strict itinerary, wander through the village, discover a street you haven't seen before or sit down for a drink while watching everyday life unfold around you.

You can also visit neighbouring villages by train or explore some of the coastal trails, depending on trail conditions and how much time you have.

And then there's the food: sitting down to eat without constantly checking the time, tasting the flavours of Liguria and letting lunch last a little longer.

To me, a romantic getaway doesn't have to involve grand gestures. It can be something much simpler: sharing a view, talking as you walk and finally having time for the little things that everyday life often pushes aside.

That's why I think Cinque Terre is best enjoyed when you leave room for spontaneity.

One of the things I love most about Riomaggiore is the view that appears as we drive along the coastal road, the Via delle Cinque Terre.

From there, you can clearly see the outline of the village beside the sea. I love it on a sunny day, but also when the sky is cloudy or even when it's raining. The light changes, the colours shift and the landscape takes on a different character, yet it still draws me in.

It's one of those views that doesn't need perfect weather to be beautiful.

The route towards the station passes through a tunnel that has always struck me as characteristic of this part of Liguria. It's one of those little details that become part of the experience of walking through the village and that you may appreciate even more as you get to know the area.

Near the station is the entrance to the famous Via dell'Amore, the path connecting Riomaggiore and Manarola.

But there's another walk I particularly enjoy: the little path beside the railway tracks, right next to the sea. I like to think of it as a mini Via dell'Amore.

The route goes up and down, with stairways connecting its different sections. Along the way, you'll find spots where you can stop to look out over the water and admire the coastline from a different perspective.

Gradually, the path leads towards the marina, one of Riomaggiore's most recognisable spots, with its colourful houses overlooking the water. From there, you can continue towards the ferry area and, following the route, reach the village's small beach.

I like this walk because it lets you discover different sides of Riomaggiore without committing to a long hike.

My advice is to take your time, stop whenever a view catches your eye and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

The Via dell'Amore is another place worth discovering during a stay in Riomaggiore.

We walked along it again recently. It was a Saturday morning in October, and by around ten o'clock there were already plenty of people. We heard conversations in Italian, English and Spanish, with visitors from different parts of the world.

What caught my attention most was the colour of the sea and sky. It had rained and been windy in the days before, and the sea was still quite lively.

Even though we'd walked this path several times before, it was a lovely experience once again.

I think that's part of its charm: a place you already know can feel different each time you return. The light, the sea conditions and the atmosphere of the day all change the way you experience the landscape.

If you plan to walk the Via dell'Amore, remember to check the opening times, access conditions and any booking requirements for your dates. The usual visitor route begins in Riomaggiore and ends in Manarola, giving you the chance to explore this neighbouring village too.

During our latest walk, we noticed a detail that I found particularly lovely.

Near the exit of the Via dell'Amore on the Manarola side, there's a wire-mesh fence covered with padlocks in different shapes and colours.

Each one seems to hold a little story: two names, a date or a memory of a journey shared.

I like imagining the couples who have passed by and wanted to leave a small symbol of their time in Cinque Terre.

If you come across this fence during your walk, take a moment to look at the padlocks and imagine the stories behind them. Before bringing one to leave there, check the current rules and whether adding new locks is permitted.

In the end, what matters isn't leaving an object behind, but finding a way to remember a moment you've shared.

After a day spent exploring villages, walking beside the sea and discovering new corners of the coast, I like to think that returning home is part of the journey too.

La Torre dei Due Cuori is an authentic Ligurian tower house, arranged over three independent levels, with welcoming interiors and a private terrace overlooking a particularly beautiful part of Riomaggiore.

To me, the house feels cosy. Perhaps that's because it's ours and we've prepared it with care, but I love knowing that every space has been looked after and has its own personality.

The two bedrooms share some features, but they also have their own character.

Both overlook the main square and the Church of San Giovanni Battista, although one is set a little higher than the other. One is slightly smaller, with a particularly warm and intimate atmosphere; the other is more spacious and has a different personality.

I like that each bedroom feels a little different. A home doesn't need every room to be the same to feel harmonious.

The third level is one of the most distinctive parts of the house. You reach it by a narrow staircase, and at the top you'll find the open kitchen, dining area and living space.

We chose white furnishings and oak tones, with blue accents that give the room its character. The curtains also help create the welcoming atmosphere we wanted.

The bathroom, although compact, has always struck me as rather unusual. Coming from Mexico, I find it interesting that it's positioned in an area of the house that feels a little like a terrace. It's one of those features of the layout that gives the house its own identity.

But if I had to choose my favourite spot, it would be the terrace.

What I love most about the terrace is its sense of openness.

From here, I can see the square, the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the village rooftops and the mountain. I can also watch people sitting at the cafés in the square, chatting or taking photographs.

It's an interesting feeling: although the square seems close, the houses along Via Colombo lie between us and all that activity. We can watch a little of everyday life in Riomaggiore from our own private space, without being right in the middle of it.

I find the view beautiful, especially because it combines two things: feeling close to village life while enjoying the calm of our own terrace.

I'd love our guests to enjoy it in their own way: having breakfast in the morning, taking a break after a walk or sitting outside at the end of the day to admire the village.

Nothing extraordinary needs to be planned. Sometimes, having a place to pause and enjoy the view is enough.

At La Torre dei Due Cuori, that's exactly what we hope to offer: a welcoming home from which to explore Cinque Terre and a peaceful place to return to, rest and enjoy time together.

If I were planning a romantic getaway to Riomaggiore, I'd try not to fill every day with activities.

I'd love to start the morning slowly, weather permitting, with breakfast on the terrace. A coffee, a view of the square and a little time to enjoy the surroundings before heading out.

Then I'd spend time walking around Riomaggiore, going up and down its streets, stopping at the places that caught my eye and enjoying the landscape without feeling that I had to see everything.

One day, I might choose to walk the Via dell'Amore and discover Manarola. I'd wander through the village, stop for lunch and then make my way back to Riomaggiore, taking into account the route's access conditions and any booking requirements.

Once back at La Torre, I'd leave some time to rest.

In the evening, perhaps I'd go out to buy something to eat and bring dinner back home. I imagine a quiet meal on the terrace, with the village lights and the view of the square.

It's one of my favourite ways to enjoy a stay: balancing the pleasure of discovering new places with the comfort of returning somewhere you can truly relax.

A getaway to Cinque Terre is also an opportunity to discover Ligurian food.

You can use mealtimes to try traditional dishes, discover local ingredients and taste something that reflects the culinary heritage of the region.

My advice is not to turn every meal into another item to tick off your itinerary. Choose somewhere that appeals to you, enjoy the experience and leave room to discover other places along the way.

Sometimes, the loveliest moments happen when nothing has been planned.

It might be a view that makes you stop, a street you decide to explore out of curiosity or a short break that lasts longer because you're enjoying the conversation.

That's why, when I think of a romantic getaway to Cinque Terre, I don't picture a perfect schedule. I picture two people with time to discover, rest and enjoy each other's company.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone visiting Riomaggiore for the first time, it would be this: enjoy the village without rushing.

Especially in autumn and winter, when many people are looking for a break from the stress of everyday life, I think there's something lovely about slowing down for a few days.

You don't have to visit all five villages of Cinque Terre to feel that you've truly enjoyed the destination.

You can spend time in Riomaggiore, discover Manarola, walk the Via dell'Amore if it's open and accessible under the current conditions, enjoy a leisurely meal and return home for a rest.

If you have limited time or want to keep an eye on your budget, it's worth comparing the different Cinque Terre Card options. A Trekking version includes access to the Via dell'Amore, subject to reservation. Check the official prices, availability and conditions for your travel dates before buying.

The important thing is to choose what you genuinely want to do, rather than trying to fit everything in.

Because travelling isn't just about collecting places you've visited. It's also about finding moments you'll remember long after you've returned home.

There are many ways to discover Cinque Terre. You can explore its villages, follow the coastal paths, taste local specialities and admire the scenery from different viewpoints.

But you can also choose a slower way to experience it.

Wake up without rushing, enjoy breakfast on a terrace overlooking Riomaggiore, walk beside the sea, discover Manarola and return at the end of the day to a welcoming home.

At La Torre dei Due Cuori, we like to imagine that our guests take home more than beautiful photographs: the memory of a few days spent relaxing, discovering a special place and enjoying time together.

Because some trips are remembered for all the places we visited.

And others for how we felt while we were there.

If you’d like to experience the Cinque Terre at a slower pace, La Torre dei Due Cuori welcomes you to Riomaggiore: an authentic Ligurian tower house with a private terrace, perfect for enjoying the village, the sea, and the pleasure of spending time together.

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