Faq

• HOW TO REACH MANAROLA?
  For information on how to arrive in Manarola you can see the section 'info'-'Baranin'. These driving information are valid for Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Vernazza too , with slight difference in the terminal part of the itinerary, as one can see on the map. To Monterosso you should exit the motorway A12 Genova-Livorno in 'Carrodano' and follow the notices for Levanto-Monterosso.
  For train travelers: Manarola has its own station and you can check an on-line schedule on the site: http://www.trenitalia.com

• WHERE DO I PARK MY CAR?
  To park represents a serious trouble for some clients and that's reasonable, due to the fact that to park is not comfortable, particularly in high season and even more on saturdays. In those moments, the recommendation is to stop beside the payment parking and wait for a place (there's always a certain rotation and probably in 10/15 minutes you can find a place). Otherwise you can drive uphill and try to find a place along the straight parts of the road, near the wall. In this case the distance from the village (from the payment park is 250 mt) increases, but don't worry, you won't use the car anymore till your departure. And than...it's time to put worries apart because in Cinque Terre you'll walk!! That's the main feature of Cinque Terre indeed, and what make them so unique.
  More information in the section 'info'-'Baranin'

• WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND ONCE HERE?
  The best transportation to visit the villages and the coast is the train; it is very difficult to use the car to move on the coast . The regional trains from La Spezia and from Sestri Levante/Levanto stop in all the 5 towns; they generally run every hour or 90 minutes in both directions till 00.15 (circa). Of course you can also walk on the hillside paths (see the section Cinque Terre-Paths) or take the ferry. The ferries land in each town but Corniglia. They run on a schedule, that is posted by the information offices, and in Manarola by the newspaper shop or by the sea. In case of bad sea conditions the ferry cannot cruise. The main ferry lines website is http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it 
  The only feasible use of your car is to drive to short/mid distance destinations ( i.e. Lunigiana, Garfagnana, Genova, Pisa, Lucca...).

• ARE THERE IN MANAROLA RESTAURANTS, FOOD,...?
  In Manarola there're 5 restaurants, one in Groppo and one in Volastra (two little towns above Manarola), 2 'Pizzerie', 4 bar and one cantina to taste local wines and products + slow foods. You'll find various restaurants/bar in all the Five Lands.

•  IS THERE A BEACH?
  In Manarola there's no sand beach but a rocky coast. This is the main characteristic of the coast from Portovenere to Levanto, with the exception of Monterosso, where are 2 sand beaches, and a small beach inside Vernazza's harbour. Although there is no sand beach, one can swim everywhere in Manarola, particularly at 'Allo scalo' and at 'Palaedo', 2 points where the boats are launched. Also, between Manarola and Corniglia, through the 'Path of Marine trasparences' you can reach 'I Laghi' and the stone beach of Corniglia which is found below the train station. In Manarola (and generally in all the Cinque Terre) the quality of sea water is very good; Cinque Terre sea got a 5 ***** stars aknowledgement from "LEGAMBIENTE", the most important non-governative environmental association in Italy in the last two years. You can find more info on http://www.cinqueterre.com/eng/information/sea/. Be careful: it can be very dangerous to swim in the rough sea without a good knowledge of the coast and of the behaviour of the sea waves.

•   HOW DO I ACCESS THE PATHS?
  The huge net of paths of 5 Terre is easily accessible from any of the coastal village and from any of the small hamlets located in the surrounding hills. In the past the paths were the only communication ways between the towns and from the coast to the inland towns. From the five towns, nearby the sea (except Corniglia which is located up the hill) one can access the path number 2. You can reach path 1 through its connection trails, generally located in proximity of the high part of the villages. You've than to proceed uphill toward the Sanctuaries; of which there's one in each of the upper towns. From our establishment in few minutes you can reach path number 2 and the number 6 toward Volastra/path 1. More information in the section Cinque Terre-Paths

•   DO I NEED TO PAY AN 'ENTRANCE FEE'?
  Not at all. There is, however, a payment for the National Park administration only for the usage of path number 2 and for some transportation services in town.
  As alternative one can buy the 'Cinque Terre Card', inclusive of train tickets and bus services. For more information click here.