Riomaggiore is the first village of Cinque Terre, coming from La Spezia   Its name stems from the stream along which it is built: RIo Maior. Riomaggiore is developed vertically and criss-crossed by steep stairs surrounded the typical pink and yellow ligurian houses.  

The village was founded in the 8 th century and the San Giovanni Battista Church was built in 1340 in the higher part of the village by the Luni bishop. The church was subsequently renovated in gothic style.

A small slipway, once used for small boats, can be seen in the lower part of the village. Being the closest village to La Spezia, Riomaggiore is now the main tourism centre in Cinque Terre.

Via dell'Amore (Lovers' Lane), the famous path carved out of the rock between Riomaggiore and Manarola, offers to visitors breathtaking panoramas on the sea