HELLO

Riomaggiore!

Video:

THE RIOMAGGIORE WALKAROUND

Guests staying in the historical center:

Go up via Colombo (the main street) and through the historical center. When you reach the big staircase on the left, follow it to the left and make your first left again. You’ll be at the main church (San Giovanni Battista).

After visiting the church, with your back towards the church, you’ll see Bar Old Skool : take the stairs up on the right. (If you don’t want to do the stairs, you can take the elevator and make a left). You’ll get to the Castello, with beautiful views of the sea and town.
Take the same stairs back down, turn right at the bottom of the staircase and take the panoramic stroll around via Telemaco Signorini.
Follow it until you get to the train station (or, take the elevator for the shortcut to the train station).

From the train station, you can either:

A) Go through the tunnel to get back to the historical center. Then, down the staircase to get to the marina (easier route).
or,
B) Walk the “Terzo Binario” from the train station to the marina (but make sure you have correct footwear).

SENTIERO DEL TERZO BINARIO

There’s a beautiful sea view walking path that connects the train station to the marina.

GET READY FOR STAIRS

From the train station, go down through the underpass and you’ll be on Platform 2. Turn right and before the tunnel, you’ll see an open gate with stairs going down. This is “Sentiero del Terzo Binario”.
Follow the road, up the stairs, make a right at the fork, and be careful with the steps. There are tons of steep stairs, which will lead you down to the marina.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS I GET FROM GUESTS…

I’M ARRIVING BY CAR – I READ IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK IN RIOMAGGIORE. WHAT DO I DO?
If you’re booked with us, let me know in advance that you’ll be needing parking and you’ll have no issues. Send me the make and model of your car and I’ll book a spot for you. (The Cinque Terre is small and so are its parking spaces, so the make and model are key.)
Private parking is around € 25/day, so it’s still cheaper than the public parking structure (€ 38/day), but more importantly, you’ll arrive with your parking spot waiting for you. Otherwise, you can wait hours for a spot to open up in the public parking lot.

The car is great because it gives you tons of flexibility, but once you’re here, most likely, you won’t use your car until you check out. The Cinque Terre is best explored by boat, by train or by foot (trail).

*If you’re a non-EU guest and decide to rent a car in Italy, please don’t forget to get an International Drivers License. Some rental companies will rent you a car without one, but if you do get stopped by the police, they may ask you for it. It’s pretty easy to obtain and better safe than sorry.

CAN I AT LEAST COME DOWN TO THE HISTORICAL CENTER WITH THE CAR?
Unless you have a disability placard, no. The historical center is part of the National Park and is pedestrian only. We will need to park your car in the parking zone in the village and walk down. The village is small, so it’ll be a less than 10 minute walk.

If you have a lot of bags, I can organize a porter for you, so be sure to ask.

IS RIOMAGGIORE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Unfortunately, no. Aside from Monterosso, the other 4 villages are vertical. Narrow, steep staircases are inevitable.
If you have a physical disability and want to see the five villages, contact us. We’ll be happy to arrange a private boat tour with departure and return to La Spezia (as their port is flat and will be easier to board.)

If you’re coming to the Cinque Terre, please be prepared to do stairs. Due to its unique landscape, the Cinque Terre is full of hills and narrow streets.

CAN I DRINK THE TAP?
Yes, the tap in Riomaggiore is considered safe.

WHERE CAN I DO LAUNDRY?
There’s a laundromat going up the main street, on the right hand side, before Pizzeria Veciu Muin.
Make sure you take coins. € 4 for wash, € 4 for dry. Soap is available for purchase. Open until midnight in the summer.

Via Colombo 97-99.

WHERE IS THE BANK / ATM?
There are two banks in Riomaggiore.
1) Carispezia at the train station.
2) Banco Desio on the main street.

*Only use ATMs with a bank attached to it. If there are any issues, you can always go inside the bank and they can help you.
Never use standalone ATM machines as commissions tend to be high.

Unfortunately, you cannot exchange currency at the banks here (you might want to try in the bigger cities).

Banks are open Monday through Friday and they are closed for lunch.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN TOWN?
There is a Pubblica Assistenza (a voluntary based medical care and ambulance service) , located on the main street, close to Vertical Bar.
During the summer, the local doctor is there every day until about 6:30pm. Call me if you need a translator.

Pubblica Assistenza : +39 0187 920 777

IS THERE A PHARMACY?
The pharmacy is located above the bakery and is open Monday through Saturday. Closed for lunch.
They’re open on Sunday mornings only during the summer.
You can also find basics like deodorant and toothbrushes there, but it might be cheaper at the mini markets.

WHEN DO THE MINI MARKETS OPEN/CLOSE?
There are 2 Coops and 1 private mini market in the village. All open around 7:30am and in the summer, stay open all day until 19:30-20:00.
In the off season, they close for lunch.

WHERE DOES THE VILLAGE BUS GO?
Every village has its own bus that runs inside each town (remember, they generally don’t go from town to town.)
It’s free using your Cinque Terre card, otherwise it’s E2.50/person. You can buy your bus tickets directly on the bus.

The bus in Riomaggiore starts at the bottom of via Colombo (in front of the bank), goes up to the parking lot, around to the castle and back down.
Once a day (in the morning), it’ll also go directly to Volastra (if you want to do the Volastra to Corniglia hike).

You can get the bus schedule at the tourist info office, but it’s also posted outside the bus stop.

WHEN IS MASS?
Mass at the main church (San Giovanni Battista) is regularly held on Saturdays at 17:30 (5:30pm) and Sundays at 11:00am.