Imagine yourself in a beautiful Italian villa, surrounded by lush greenery and the sweet scent of blooming flowers. The sun is shining and the sky is a deep blue, the perfect setting for a romantic and unforgettable wedding. This is the experience that many couples dream of when they think of getting married in Italy.
Cinque Terre
Get amazed by the most beautiful places for your wedding in Italy! If you are a couple who love amazing landscapes and romantic villages by the sea, Cinque Terre is the perfect place for your engagement or wedding in Italy. Cinque Terre is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. Cinque Terre means the five lands which exists out of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. I have added a sixth village to complete the list which you really can’t miss when you are visiting Cinque Terre. Read more about the most beautiful places for your wedding in Italy below.
Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso is the largest of the five coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre. The village is located on hills cultivated with lemons, vines and olives. Its amazing beaches, its beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal clear waters make this small village one of the most popular of the Italian Riviera.
Monterosso is divided in two parts marked by the medieval tower of Aurora. The old town of Monterosso is dominated by the ruins of the castle and characterized by typical narrow medieval streets, carruggi, with multi-coloured terraced houses, shops and restaurants.
Beach-lovers should definitely stay in Monterosso. The town has several beaches, both private and public ones. Near the station you will find Bagni Eden, the beautiful beach recognized by its orange and blue striped umbrellas.
Monterosso is almost flat, ideal for anyone with mobility issues and for those who just not want to climb a lot of stairs. It is also great for families with small kids, as there are long stretches along the beach promenade where you can walk with a stroller.
Vernazza
The small fishing village Vernazza is probably the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Vernazza was founded about 1000 A.D. and was ruled by the Republic of Genoa starting in 1276. The medieval castle, Belforte, was built in the mid-1500’s, primarily to protect the village from pirates.
An ideal way to arrive to this breathtaking village is by sea. The tiny port is surrounded by subtle colorful typical Ligurian houses and the charming piazza is lined with good restaurants and bars. There is a small, sandy beach in the natural harbor the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
The village is surrounded by very steeply-terraced olive groves which are said to produce among the finest olive oil in the country.
Corniglia
Corniglia is located in the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park on a small cape, 100 meters above the sea. It is the smallest of the five villages and also the least accessible.
You have to climb the Lardarina staircase, 382 stairs, to reach the village or you can take the shuttle bus up from the train station. Once you are up in the village, it is relatively flat.
Corniglia is an ancient Roman village that has a long and rich agricultural tradition. The village is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and stone terraces. Because of its size and relative inaccessibility, fewer tourists stay here, so there is more of a local feel. There are bars and restaurants here, but no real nightlife.
Corniglia is definitely a place for hikers and nature lovers. The terrace and the bar La Terza Terra, at the end of the main street, is definitely one of the best places to enjoy the sunset in Cinque Terre.
Manarola
Manarola, built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level, is one of the most charming and romantic of the Cinque Terre villages. The tiny harbor features a boat ramp, a tiny piazza and picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea.
You can enjoy lunch at one of the fish restaurants in the small square next to the harbour. The harbor area is filled with colorful rowing boats and becomes the main sunbathing and swimming spot of the village from morning until dusk. In fact, this is the perfect place to spend a lazy day sunbathing and watching people jumping off the cliffs. Although there is no real beach here, it has some of the best deep-water swimming around.
Along the main road the boats are pulled onto dry land every time the sea is rough. The village is all ups and downs, with steep narrow alleys carrugi, leading to the sea.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the Cinque Terre, situated just a two minutes by train from Manarola. The town climbs up along the ridges overlooking the sea and it is characterized from the typical stone houses with coloured façades and slate-roofs.
Stroll along the main street Via Colombo down to the sea, where a small harbor, marina, is framed by lovely pastel houses and filled with brightly coloured fishing boats. There is a pebble beach located near the boat docking point and the picturesque harbor.
In Riomaggiore you can find the best spot to capture the sunset in Cinque Terre. As the sun starts to set, many people gather to sit on the rocks by the harbor. There are also some nightlife here with numerous restaurants and bars open until 1am.
Porto Venere
Portovenere is a medieval fishing village situated in north Italy, just south of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. This charming village is well worth the visit and can be reached from the Cinque Terre by boat or from La Spezia by boat or by bus from the train station.
Portovenere, on the Gulf of Poets, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses while narrow medieval streets lined with shops lead up the hill from the ancient city gate to the castle. Stroll around the old town and don’t miss the small shop Bajeicò, a pesto shop selling delicious freshly made basil-based sauce and related products like fresh pasta.
The tip of the promontory holds a picturesque church. Byron’s Cave is a rocky area leading to the sea where the poet Byron used to swim.
This is how an Italian elopement could look like...
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