Cinque Terre is one of the most charming and photogenic places in Italy. The five adorable villages that make up Cinque Terre are full of beautiful corners, vibrants colors and fascinating ocean views. They are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the smallest national park in Italy. Their lively ambiance and sea views make them the ultimate summer destinations ! Cinque Terre, Portofino and Genoa are the best parts of the Ligurian Coast and really worth visiting. You can visit them all as day trips, even from Milan and Florence. But, you will need at least 48 hours to fully experience their unique beauty. In this article, you will find the most Instagrammable photo spots in Cinque Terre.
Travel Together Gr contains affiliate links. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤︎ Read our full disclosure policy here.
Best photo spots in Cinque Terre
1-Riomaggiore Beach
Riomaggiore is the first stop of the “La Spezia” train. It will probably be the first village you visit. Getting to Riomaggiore Beach and taking beautiful photos from the rocks (sea level) is not very easy. You have to reach the beach first and then climb the rocks to get to this viewpoint. But, we can assure you that this view is really worth your effort ! Be well prepared, take your photography gear and wear comfortable shoes to climb the rocks. Since Cinque Terre is one of the most popular places in Italy, the villages fill up very quickly. Try to reach there even before 7am in peak season (June-August). Otherwise, you may not have time to create your content. Even when we visited it in October, there were tons of tourists at 9am.
2-Riomaggiore Village
The village of Riomaggiore is one the most dreamy places to photograph. The characteristic colors of the cliffside houses make them a truly unique spot. Once again you need to go down to the beach and you will find the famous spots easily. Access here is very easy, as you do not need to climb the previous rocks. We highly recommend browsing this spot to find the perfect perspective for your photos and what exactly you want to show ! You can take close-up photos (Left Photo) or from a distance (Right Photo). In case you want to visit and capture the villages (and not the beach of each village), you should come as early as possible meaning at sunrise. The alleys are full of people even around 10am.
3-Vernazza Village
The old town of Vernazza (Vernazza Village) is one of the most obvious, easy-to-find Instragrammable spots. You just need to get to the Old town and you will reach the harbour. The church, colorful houses and fishing boats make a perfect backdrop for very romantic photos. As you can imagine, the port is a very busy location. So, if you cannot come early, you should just skip it and go directly to the next spot. There you will get a panoramic view of Vernazza.
4-Vernazza from the Top
To get this magnificent panoramic view of Vernazza, you need to start the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare. It will take you about 15 to 20 minutes at most. Of course hiking during the day in the hot sun is not much fun. Take your precautions, wear comfy shoes and try to get there before 9am for better temperatures ! The perfect time to capture it is at sunrise or sunset for a very impressive soft light. This trail is free if you have a Cinque Terre card or come very early when there is no one to check you. You can find and buy online the Cinque Terre card.
5-Manarola Village
Manarola is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Cinque Terre, especially the Promenade of Manarola. This particular photo location offers stunning views of the village and the ocean. It is easy to find it, just by taking the main street that leads you to this unique spot. The Promenade is a very crowded location, especially at sunset which is the best time to photograph it. That’s why we strongly recommend that you come at sunrise for the same pastel colors. The result will reward your effort !
6-Monterosso al Mare Beach
If you are looking for the best and most dreamy beach of Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare is the answer. Needless to say how beautiful not only the beach is, but also the view and the surrounding area. The beach is also an ideal Instagrammable spot with its signature colorful umbrellas. It is definitely the perfect location to relax and take stunning photos.
Tips for beautiful photos in Cinque Terre
The general advice for your photo sessions in Cinque Terre is to come as early as possible and ideally at sunrise. All the above spots look even more magical with pastel colors. For almost all Cinque Terre photo spots, you will need a wide-angle lens to capture them. Full-length shots will be perfect. Keep also in mind that you need to capture the depth of fields. As Cinque Terre is full of colors, you will need more neutral outfits or when you decide to have bright colored clothes like dresses etc, it is better to choose plain clothes. The surrounding area of each photo spot is also amazing. So, try to include it in the frame by changing the angle. Most of the time sunsets are a great time for beautiful images, but Cinque Terre is a very famous destination. So, avoid the sunset photos and try the sunrises instead. The most important tip is the simplest. Just walking around, exploring the villages, get inspired and your photos will reflect it !
Final Thoughts
Hope you enjoyed this detailed list of the most Instagrammable places in Cinque Terre. Now you are ready to create your beautiful photos. We can assure you that these unique Italian villages will leave you with the best impressions and memories. Your photos will be the most precious souvenir of your Cinque Terre trip.
Don’t have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later ? Just pin it!
