We boarded the train once again, and just a few minutes later, we arrived in Manarola. Unfortunately, we couldn’t conquer the village through the iconic Via dell’Amore trail – the cliffside path above the sea was still closed during our visit – but it didn’t take away from the experience. If anything, arriving without the grand entrance made it even more special: one moment we were on the train, and the next we found ourselves in a world quietly swaying in its own rhythm.
There must be something in that sweet Italian air – we found Manarola to be truly dreamlike. It’s the second smallest of the five Cinque Terre villages (after Corniglia), yet somehow the most tucked away. Wild vineyards wrap around the hills, and pastel-colored houses cling to the cliffs like something out of a dream.
The train station is only a short walk from the village center – and that’s where the magic begins. At the lower end of the main street, fishing boats are parked like cars in other towns. Nowhere else have I felt such a curious balance of past and present. Walking among the boats, the salty sea breeze still carries the scent of fresh fish, as if the village rewrites itself each morning.
Manarola isn’t the kind of place where you check off a sightseeing list. It invites you to slow down. Sit on a rock or a terrace, watch how the sunlight plays on the walls of the houses, and think to yourself, “I’ll stay a little longer.”
The tiny harbor, where the sea hides between the rocks at the foot of the houses, quickly became one of my favorite spots. It’s not grand or flashy – but there’s something profoundly peaceful about it. As the waves break against the rocks and the late sun glimmers on the water next to the boats, I think, this is dolce vita, without even trying.
And speaking of Cinque Terre – this is where I had the best focaccia of our entire trip. In a little bakery where the olive oil still glistened warm from the oven, and we couldn’t decide between rosemary, tomato, onion, or cheese toppings. Fresh, crisp, paired with a glass of Cinque Terre white wine – this is happiness, simple and real.
Manarola is also famous for another local treasure: Sciacchetrà, a dessert wine made from grapes grown on the surrounding terraces. It’s not a trendy new wine – even the Romans drank it. Golden, honey-sweet, and surprisingly strong – paired with a sunset, it’s a sacred experience.
And maybe that’s the true magic of Manarola: it doesn’t try to impress you. It just exists, quietly – and if you’re paying attention, it gives you something that stays with you.
Next stop: Corniglia – the village you truly have to climb to reach.