12 Best Photo Spots in Cinque Terre + Photography Tips

1. Vernazza from the top

How to get there

The easiest way to reach this viewpoint is to start the hike from Vernazza towards Monterosso. The photo spot is less than 15 minutes from the old town, so you don’t need to commit to the entire hike to enjoy the view.

Best time for photos

I highly recommend visiting at sunrise. You will avoid the crowds, enjoy the soft morning light, and have a much better chance of getting the viewpoint all to yourself. It is one of the most popular photo spots in Cinque Terre, so arriving early makes a huge difference.

Photography tips

Space is limited, so a wide-angle lens or a 35mm lens works best here. A phone camera will also do a great job, but if you want a softer background and more depth, bring a camera with a lens that has a wide aperture.

2. Promenade of Manarola

How to get there

As soon as you arrive in Manarola, follow the main street towards the waterfront and look for signs pointing to Nessun Dorma. Along the way, you will find a series of stone benches overlooking the village. This is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Cinque Terre.

Best time for photos

Honestly, you can take this photo at almost any time of day. Yes, the viewpoint gets busy, but people are usually happy to wait a few seconds while you take your shot.

That said, the light is best during the golden hour. If waking up for sunrise isn’t your thing, come here before sunset and enjoy the warm light over the village.

Photography tips

Space is limited, so a wide-angle lens is your best option. A 35mm lens can also work well if you want to focus more on the village and create a slightly tighter composition.

3. Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia (or vice versa)

How to get there

Once again, you will need to take the hiking trail from Vernazza, this time in the direction of Corniglia. The good news is that this section of the trail is free. If you are struggling to find it, simply use Ristorante La Torre as your destination.

The trail offers plenty of beautiful viewpoints, but keep an eye out for a section where the stairs become wider. It takes around 15 minutes to get there from Vernazza, and in my opinion, it is one of the most Instagrammable photo spots in Cinque Terre.

Best time for photos

I took this photo around midday on a sunny summer day. Surprisingly, the light works quite well here and the shadows are not as harsh as you might expect.

As long as you slightly underexpose your image and protect the highlights, you can get a great photo at almost any time of day.

Photography tips

You have much more space here than at some of the other viewpoints in Cinque Terre. A 35mm lens works perfectly, and your phone will do a great job too.

If you want a softer background and more depth of field, a 50mm lens is another excellent option. Just keep in mind that the tighter focal length will include less of the surrounding scenery.

4. Rocks of Riomaggiore

How to get there

Right next to La Conchiglia, you will find a staircase leading down to the rocks below Riomaggiore. This viewpoint is very easy to reach and doesn’t require any hiking or special footwear.

If you look at the map, you will also notice Vista Panoramica di Riomaggiore, another famous photo spot in Cinque Terre. The views are fantastic, but getting there requires a bit more effort as you will need to walk over uneven rocks and wear comfortable shoes.

Best time for photos

This is one of the most popular sunset spots in Riomaggiore, which means it gets extremely crowded in the evening.

For a more relaxed experience, I recommend visiting at sunrise or later in the morning. Around midday, the light becomes much harsher and photographing the colorful buildings can be more challenging.

Photography tips

A wide-angle lens is the best choice here as it allows you to capture the entire coastline of Riomaggiore in a single frame.

If you are planning to continue to Vista Panoramica di Riomaggiore, consider bringing a zoom lens as well. The higher viewpoint opens up additional composition opportunities and works particularly well with longer focal lengths.

5. The old town of Vernazza

How to get there

As soon as you arrive at the harbor in Vernazza, look towards the colorful houses lining the waterfront. The combination of fishing boats, pastel facades, and the curve of the bay creates one of the most classic views in Cinque Terre.

Once you have taken your photos, don’t rush back to the train station. Vernazza is much more than its main street. Wander through the narrow alleys, explore the hidden staircases, and get lost in the maze of colorful buildings.

Best time for photos

This viewpoint is surprisingly easy to photograph without crowds, especially compared to some of the more famous spots in Cinque Terre.

You can get great photos throughout the day, making it a perfect stop after visiting the viewpoints above Vernazza. Early morning and late afternoon offer the softest light, but honestly, it works well almost anytime.

Photography tips

Anything from a wide-angle lens to a 35mm lens will work here. Personally, I prefer a 35mm lens because it captures the entire scene while adding a bit more depth and character to the image.

6. Nessun Dorma in Manarola

Nessun Dorma is one of the most famous places in Cinque Terre, and for good reason. Perched above Manarola, it offers spectacular views of the colorful houses, the harbor, and the Ligurian Sea.

The place is incredibly popular, so don’t be surprised if you find a queue. To make things easier, Nessun Dorma has its own app where you can join a virtual waiting list. Once there are only a few groups ahead of you, simply head to the entrance and wait for your name to be called.

Even if you don’t stay for long, the views alone are worth the stop. Grab a drink, order a platter of local specialties, and enjoy one of the most iconic views in Cinque Terre. It is one of the best places to photograph Manarola from above.

7. Rocks of Manarola

This photo was taken from a rocky viewpoint below the Manarola promenade. During our visit, the gate leading to the rocks was open, but now it’s locked, and I wouldn’t climb over it.

For this reason, I recommend enjoying the views from the promenade itself or from the viewpoints near Nessun Dorma instead. Both offer spectacular panoramas of Manarola and are much easier to access.

8. View from the boat

Cinque Terre is beautiful from land, but have you seen it from the water? Because somehow it looks even better. There are plenty of boat tours and private rentals available from Vernazza, Riomaggiore, and other villages.

I joined a tour with Jennifer and her partner, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Cinque Terre. Our captain grew up in the area, so besides the spectacular views, we also got plenty of local stories and recommendations.

If you have room in your itinerary, I highly recommend adding a boat trip to your Cinque Terre bucket list.

9. Tiny streets of Corniglia

How to get there

Corniglia is probably the most overlooked of the five villages, but don’t make the mistake of skipping it. Perched high above the sea, it feels quieter and more local than its famous neighbors. To reach the village, you will need to climb up from the train station or take the shuttle bus.

These photos were taken on the main street that connects the center of Corniglia with the panoramic terrace overlooking the sea, but my advice is to wander beyond the main route. Some of the most charming corners of Corniglia are hidden on side streets.

Best time for photos

We visited Corniglia around midday, which is usually far from ideal for photography. Even so, the light wasn’t nearly as challenging as in some of the other Cinque Terre villages. And with a bit of patience, you can skip the crowds in your photos as well.

Photography tips

Corniglia is compact, and the streets can be quite narrow, so a wide-angle lens is a great choice. It will help you capture the colorful buildings, charming details, and the character of the village without constantly stepping backwards.

10. Famous Beach of Monterosso al Mare

How to get there

Unlike the other villages of Cinque Terre, Monterosso is known for its long sandy beach and rows of colorful umbrellas. As soon as you arrive in Monterosso, walk towards the beachfront promenade and explore the area around the old town and the beach clubs.

One of my favorite angles is photographing the beach with the colorful umbrellas in the foreground and the coastline stretching into the distance. It is a completely different side of Cinque Terre compared to the dramatic cliffs and harbors of the other villages.

Best time for photos

Early morning is the best time to photograph Monterosso. The beach is still quiet, the light is soft, and you won’t have hundreds of people sunbathing in your frame. If you don’t mind the crowds, late morning is great as well.

Photography tips

A wide-angle lens works best if you want to capture the beach and coastline together. If you prefer details, such as colorful umbrellas, beach scenes, or the waves crashing against the shore, a 35mm or 50mm lens is a great choice.

11. La Torre in Vernazza

La Torre is one of my favorite places in Cinque Terre to combine great food with an unforgettable view. Perched above Vernazza, the terrace overlooks the colorful houses, the harbor, and the dramatic coastline that makes Cinque Terre so famous.

Years ago, I stumbled upon this restaurant almost by accident and had the terrace all to myself. Those days are long gone. La Torre has become increasingly popular, so I highly recommend making a reservation in advance.

To get there, you will need to climb a steep staircase from Vernazza. The walk takes around 15 minutes, but the views become more impressive with every step. Think of it as earning your pasta… and maybe even dessert.

12. Via dell’Amore

Via dell’Amore is one of the most famous places in Cinque Terre. This scenic coastal path connects Riomaggiore and Manarola and offers beautiful views of the Ligurian Sea along the way.

Since the trail reopened, access is regulated and requires a ticket or Cinque Terre Card depending on the season, so make sure to check the latest information before your visit.

The path itself is very easy and suitable for almost everyone. Unlike many of the hiking trails in Cinque Terre, you don’t need special footwear or hiking experience to enjoy it.