During our trip to Cinque Terre, we spent a magical afternoon in Manarola—one of the most charming and colorful villages along the Italian Riviera. It’s incredibly picturesque, with pastel buildings stacked along the cliffs and the sparkling Ligurian Sea as the backdrop. I wore a flowy yellow maxi dress that felt perfect for the sun-soaked views (I linked below!).
We had lunch at La Scogliera, a cozy spot with delicious seafood and the friendliest staff. Afterward, we made our way to the Manarola Overlook—a must if you want postcard-worthy photos. The view is breathtaking, especially in golden hour light.
At the top of the overlook, there’s a small playground, which was such a sweet surprise for our toddler. He had the best time running around while we soaked in the view. Just a heads-up for fellow parents: getting to the playground with a stroller can be tricky due to the steep steps, so be prepared to carry it or have little ones walk part of the way.
Planning Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre:
- Don’t drive into the villages. We parked at the ActiAuto/Posella lot, which is a paid parking area near Manarola. It was super convenient—about a 10-15 minute walk into the village—perfect for a day trip without needing the train. Another option is to park in La Spezia which is a good gub for you to take the train that connects all five towns.
- Wear comfy shoes. The towns are full of cobblestones, stairs, and narrow paths—not stroller-friendly, but doable with patience.
- Other great lunch spots: Nessun Dorma in Manarola (for bruschetta and views!), Trattoria dal Billy in Riomaggiore, and Ristorante Belvedere in Monterosso.
- Consider boat rides for a unique view of the coastline—it’s a calm way to travel between towns with a toddler.
- Always pack baby wipes, sunscreen, and snacks—essentials when traveling with little ones here. It was pretty hot and humid when we went!
Cinque Terre is absolutely doable with a toddler if you slow down and soak it all in. Manarola completely stole our hearts—and we can’t wait to return someday. It was the perfect blend of beauty, family-friendly charm, and a little adventure. We’ll treasure this memory forever!
