Cinque Terre, meaning “five lands”, is a coastal area within Italian Riviera in the region Liguria. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre.
A few weeks ago, the boys and I embarked on an impromptu drive to Cinque Terre, particularly to Monterosso. The largest of the five coastal villages—a reason which almost kept it out the Cinque Terre—it is now considered one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Monterosso is a coastal charm with a gorgeous pristine beach popular among visitors and locals who enjoy coming here to waste away beautiful summer days under the sun. We were very lucky to have scored the last sunbed for the day in one of the beach establishments. It is almost impossible to get a sunbed because most of them are either reserved for the day or in advance for the entire summer season.
Evenings at Monterosso, which are often quite vibrant and lively, offer the perfect excuse to grab some gelato and enjoy a pleasant walk to indulge in the town’s beauty and colorful ambiance.If you are planning a longer stay and looking to experience Monterosso beyond the beach, here is a list of THINGS TO DO IN MONTEROSSO.
On the eve of our visit, we drove to Manarola to have an early “dinner with a view” at Nessun Dorma, a restaurant I had stumbled upon on Instagram and couldn’t wait to visit. Unfortunately, not only was it fully booked when we got there, but there was also a super long queue waiting outside. Nonetheless, we still enjoyed a lazy walk around, basking in the beauty of Manarola’s picturesque panoramic vistas in the golden hour.
Nessun Dorma is a restaurant with the most gorgeous postcard-perfect view of colorful houses perched on a cliff. May you wish to dine here, I suggest making a reservation and arriving on time. It’s worth the extra effort!
Nessun Dorma
Localita Punta Bonfiglio,
19017 Manarola SP, Italy
+39 340 888 4133
The Cinque Terre is a magical place—a day won’t be enough to explore its wonders. It’s enchanting with so much to see and experience: colorful houses perched high on cliffs, vineyards clinging on steep terraces, stretches of pristine beaches, hiking trails to explore (the Sentiero Azzurro “Blue Trail” being the most famous and popular path for hikers), mouth-watering Ligurian cuisine, awe-inspiring, unbeaten views…the list goes on.
“Where is the one place you are dying to visit or go back to after this pandemic is over?” is a question many wanderlusts ask each other. Me? I can’t wait to go back to Cinque Terre for a longer stay. And I’ll come prepared with my hiking shoes, a bathing suit, and hearty appetite for food and sights!
Lora By Lora. x
LORA BY LORA 