This Unsung Town Bursting With Color Is A Perfect Base For A Trip To Italy's Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is definitely among the places in the Mediterranean to add to your bucket list. The villages that make up Cinque Terre are each filled with enticingly colorful buildings nestled among the hills and rocky coastline to create otherworldly sights. Whether you want to hike between the villages, sip on limoncello, relax on the beach, or explore the hilly and seemingly layered streets, Cinque Terre has it all. The popularity of these villages might make them so-called "tourist-traps," but their beauty and authenticity remains.

While all of the Cinque Terre villages — Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore — are frequently photographed thanks to their aforementioned qualities, some receive slightly more attention than others. So if you are looking for a Cinque Terre experience with less hubbub, choose Riomaggiore. This village has plenty to see, but manages to feel less touristy. Riomaggiore still has the vibrance of the rest of Cinque Terre and still offers access to the other villages too. In fact, navigating your way through Cinque Terre is easier than you think. Although there are few places for cars, public transportation keeps the villages well connected, and Riomaggiore is no exception.

Trains are convenient ways to reach Riomaggiore from other Cinque Terre villages or elsewhere in Italy. Trenitalia is Italy's main intercity transportation and its website can map out routes to Riomaggiore. You can buy tickets through the website or buy them in person at the train station.

Even the short trek from the Riomaggiore train station to the main part of town is beautiful. Just a 10 minute walk from the train station is Castello di Riomaggiore. This medieval defense structure dates back to when the region was part of the Republic of Genoa rather than Italy. However, the "castello," or "castle," is not just an amazing display of the area's history. It also offers an expansive view of the rocky coastline and bright blue water that makes Riomaggiore all the more serene.

Keep heading southeast to the center of town and to some of its most picturesque spots and brightest buildings. Find some of these on Via San Giacomo, which leads to the water and runs along the coast. Here is where small boats are anchored in the water or stacked on the bordering pavement, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Allow yourself to get lost as you meander through the hilly, narrow streets.

As you walk inland, you'll pass more gorgeous buildings and eventually reach the Church of San Giovanni Battista of Riomaggiore. What makes this church unique is the somewhat unmanicured greenery on the hill that touches one entire side of the church. This adds to the rustic and historic atmosphere of Riomaggiore and makes it feel as if the town has allowed the hills and cliffs to shape it rather than forcing its way onto the nature. Such is the overarching allure of Cinque Terre. 

While Cinque Terre is made up of five separate villages, they are short distances from each other. From Riomaggiore, you can easily get to popular sites in other villages. If you want some beach time, take a ferry to Monterosso al Mare. For some varied architecture mixed in with the bright color palette of Cinque Terre's buildings, the ferry can take you to Vernazza (pictured above). However, Corniglia is higher on the hills, so you'll need to take a train to this particular village. Even if you spend your whole trip in Riomaggiore, you'll be able to soak in a globally beloved yet still idyllic piece of Italy.