Last Updated on September 24, 2024 by Jade and Deeshen

As Italy travel writers, Cinque Terre truly stole our hearts. Walking through the Cinque Terre villages is like a fairy tale!

Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a costal paradise with five charming colorful villages clinging to dramatic cliffs. From hidden gems along the walking trails to iconic viewpoints overlooking the entire coastline, these coastal towns will leave you breathless.

In this guide, we’ll cover the exact spots you should add to your Cinque Terre Instagrammable Photo Spots, their locations, and photo ideas to remember your Cinque Terre trip forever!

We’ll help you capture those memories in photos that will forever transport you back to that moment, gelato in hand, with the sparkling Mediterranean Sea stretching out before you!

Readers also love our travel guides to Venice, Cinque Terre, and Florence!

But first, here are the best tours for Cinque Terre: (yes, you should book in advance and early in your trip!)

• ⭐Cinque Terre: Boat Tour with Swimming Stop or if you have more people, book a 2-Hour Private Boat Tour for your group of up to 6 people. Cinque Terre is one of the most romantic beach towns in Italy!
  
  
• ⭐Vernazza: Panoramic Vineyard Trekking Tour w/ Wine Tasting or this Riomaggiore: Vineyard & Wine Cellar Tour with Wine Tasting

Here are Top 10 Best Photo Spots in Cinque Terre with Google Maps GPS locations:

1. Manarola Harbor @ Manarola Viewpoint Overlook

Capture the captivating view of Vernazza’s medieval tower overlooking the charming village and the Ligurian Sea. One of the most romantic photoshoot locations in Vernazza so make sure you go early! We shot this right after sunrise, during the golden hour around 7-8am. The Vernazza tower is only a 4 minute walk from the Vernazza train station. [Google Maps Link]

Vernazza is one of our favorite Cinque Terre Villages for its gorgeous hikes, waterfront, and gorgeous neighorhood backstreets. Check our our Cinque Terre travel map and itinerary guide to plan an unforgettable trip! Our travel tips will save you tons of time in planning.

Don’t forget to have fun! And who knows… you just might meet some furry friends on the streets of Cinque Terre…

3. The Colorful Alleyways of Vernazza

Lose yourself in the enchanting labyrinth of Vernazza’s colorful alleyways, where every turn unveils a new burst of vibrant hues. From charming storefronts adorned with flower boxes to laundry lines dancing in the sea breeze, these alleys are a photographer’s paradise, offering endless opportunities to capture the essence of this picturesque Italian village. ??️ [Google Maps Link]

All of Vernazza alleyways are adorable – we shot our photos in the alleyways behind the Vernazza Tower in the local neighborhood heading towards Sentiero Monterosso – Vernazza hike (Another great photoshoot spot!). The small alleyways are not named, however to reach to these local streets, simply walk towards the alleys behind the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch.

4. Hike Near Vernazza – Sentiero Monterosso

Sentiero Monterosso – Vernazza – Embark on an unforgettable visual journey along the Sentiero Monterosso-Vernazza hike, where rugged coastal paths meet the azure embrace of the Ligurian Sea. As you traverse this scenic trail, dramatic cliffs and sweeping ocean views of Vernazza town unfold before your lens, providing the perfect backdrop for stunning landscape photography and couples shoots.

Not ready for a hike? This spot is at the beginning of the hike, and only a 10 minute walk up from the Verzanna Tower and has sweeping views of the most beautiful town in Cinque Terre! [Google Maps Link]

5. The Lover’s Walk (Via dell’ Amore and Sentiero dell’ Amore)

The Lover’s Walk (Sentiero dell’Amore) – Stroll along the love-filled pathway between Riomaggiore and Manarola, offering scenic views of the coastline and romantic sunsets. One of our favorite things to do in our Cinque Terre itinerary was train hopping across the five villages and looking at the colorful houses and beautiful coastlines.

Pro Tip: Be sure to download these apps before your Italy Trip to help you plan your trip!

6. Monterosso Beach

Monterosso’s Beach – Enjoy the contrast of azure waters against colorful umbrellas and pastel buildings while relaxing on Monterosso’s sandy beaches. Monterosso is the perfect place to relax, sun bathe, and catch some baby waves. We found the beaches here to be the most calm out of the five villages. [Google Maps Link]

Pro Tip: Monterosso is also the flattest village so it’s very family friendly to take photos here for family memories or couples of all ages. All the other Cinque Terre villages are very hilly and sloppy, but that’s part of the charm of Cinque Terre!

7. Riomaggiore Waterfront

Capture the essence of coastal charm at Riomaggiore’s breathtaking waterfront, where pastel-hued buildings cascade down to meet the crystal-clear waters of the Ligurian Sea. With fishing boats gently swaying and vibrant reflections dancing upon the sea, this picturesque scene offers an idyllic setting for photography, encapsulating the enchanting allure of Cinque Terre’s coastal villages. ?? [Google Maps Link]

8. Vernazza Sunset Spot Viewpoint

Vernazza offers some of the most beautiful sunset spots, starting from the one on the trail from Corniglia to Vernazza. It offers a view of Vernazza from above and the sea. It’s one of the most famous spots, so you will probably find a lot of people, especially during summer.

From the village, you will have to go down the station stairs and then proceed uphill. You will notice just after the station some stairs on your right with directions for Corniglia: follow them. On the opposite side of the village, you will find a second sunset viewpoint. From it, you can see the village lightened by the sunset. When you arrive at the church on the sea, follow the stairs behind it.

9. Streets of Cinque Terre

Honestly, every corner in Cinque Terre is out of a storybook. To ensure you get the streets emply, start your photoshoot before sunrise. The top photo is in the streets of Vernazza, and the bottom are photos 30 minutes before sunrise in Manarola. [Google Maps Link]

10. Corniglia Terraces

Corniglia’s Terraces Viewpoint- Climb up to Corniglia and be rewarded with picturesque terraced vineyards and panoramic views of the Italian Riviera. This was one we missed on our list, but a great spot we plan to go back for! [Google Maps Link]

Tips for Photographing Cinque Terre, Italy

• Wear comfortable shoes. The villages of Cinque Terre are car-free and connected by a network of rocky walking trails. These trails can be steep, rocky and uneven, so you’ll want to wear shoes that provide good traction and support. Comfortable shoes for walking in Cinque Terre.
  
  We love the versatility of Chacos hiking sandals (men’s and women’s) is unparalleled; whether you’re hitting one of Cinque Terre’s famous beaches, tackling a challenging hike, or train hopping, these shoes have got you covered.
  
• Embrace the golden hour. The lighting is best for photography in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky. This creates a warm, soft light that will flatter the colorful houses and dramatic cliffs of Cinque Terre.
  
• Use a tripod. A tripod will help you to keep your camera steady and avoid blurry photos, especially when shooting in low light conditions. Best camera tripod.
  
• Plan your itinerary before hand and allow for serendipitous shots. Use this guide and our Cinque Terre itinerary travel tips to plan your shots across the five villages. Cinque Terre is one of most famous places in Italy, hence scouting out spots will help you efficiently plan your photo opts to avoid tourists and peak times.
  
• Explore beyond the villages The Cinque Terre National Park is home to some stunning scenery, including vineyards, olive groves, and hidden coves. Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path to find unique photo opportunities.
  
• Experiment with different perspectives. Don’t just take photos from eye level. Try getting down low to capture a dramatic perspective, or climb to a higher vantage point for a panoramic view.

The Bottom Line: Top 10 Cinque Terre Instagrammable Photo Spots (with a map!)

Discover the magic of Cinque Terre is like a storybook and save these photo spots for your Italy trip! Cinque Terre is a coastal paradise with charming villages and breathtaking landscapes, where every corner reveals a picture-perfect moment waiting to be captured.

We hope you found this list of the best photography locations in Cinque Terre helpful so you can remember your trip forever.

Planning a trip to Cinque Terre? Check out our Cinque Terre 2 day itinerary with free travel maps and must-visit spots. Be sure to download these best travel apps for Italy before your Trip to help you plan your trip!

Looking for other Italian city getways? Save our one day in Venice itinerary guide, or our what to do with 3 days in Milan

Want to go to South of Italy? Consider visiting Naples, Italy and learning about safety tips before visiting, or spending 1 day in florence, Jade’s favorite city in Italy.

From the enchanting alleyways of Vernazza to the colorful Riomaggiore waterfront and the sweeping coastal views along the Sentiero Monterosso-Vernazza hike, each location offers a unique opportunity to capture the charm of this Italian coastal paradise.

Explore More:

• The Only Itinerary You’ll Need to Visit Cinque Terre
• 24 Hours in Florence Guide
• 21 Best Apps to Download for your Italy Trip
• Top Things to do in Venice: A Guide for First Timers to Italy
• Venice One Day Itinerary: See the Best of Venice in 24 hours