A frazione (or sub-division) of the commune of Riomaggiore, Manarola is the second-smallest village of the Cinque Terre coastal region that is famous for its beautiful rugged cliffs and views. The name of the village literally comes from the words for “large wheel” (magna roea) as said in their dialect, coming from the large water mill wheel in the village.

The village is not for the those looking for thrill, though there are hikes and walking trails in the area around the village (Riomaggiore is only 850m away!) and its surrounding vineyards. The local wine, Sciacchetrà, has been popular since the Roman times, when the regional wine was highly recommended. Being one of the major industries in the village, it’s safe to say that the wine is still lovely (and tasting it is recommended)!

Funnily enough, Manarola was the inspiration for one of the maps in the video game Overwatch. Called Dorado in Overwatch, Manarola really is a treasure to visit.