Enchanting, charming Riomaggiore is the grand climax to our survey of Cinque Terre. Here too you see that familiar pattern -- the houses tumbling down the cliffs to the water’s edge and a main pedestrian street rising up from the tiny cove, surrounded by terraced homes covering the hillside, rising high.
Regular ferry service connects each of the villages, and from Manarola it is just a 10-minute cruise to Riomaggiore, the last of the five. It’s a nice ride with splendid views of the coastal cliffs and hills above, and the blue sea all around.
It’s a surprising mix of urban high density in the midst of a tranquil, rural setting. It is very quiet when you walk down the little side streets, especially in the off-season, which is highly recommended.
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