The Italian Coast is already an impossibly romantic place to spend time but if you book a vacation rental on the Cinque Terre – one of the most especially scenic stretches of the Italian coastline – then you should make a point to head to Italy’s Via dell’Amore, or Path of Love. Refurbished to the tune of almost €24 million over the last 2 years, this iconic, and romantic, walk has been partially closed since 2012 but was fully reopened last month to the glee of both locals and tourists alike. So, plan your romantic getaway on the Cinque Terre and then stroll along the path of love and into a perfect vacation...
Part of the Cinque Terre National Park, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Path of Love is a path along the coast that has been carved out into the cliff, about 30m above the sea. The was created almost by chance in the early 20th century after small paths were made to connect two construction sites that were being used to extend the regional railway line. The inhabitants of the two towns in which the sites were located, Riomaggiore and Manarola, then thought that it might be a good idea to improve and use these paths officially in order for pedestrians to move more easily between the two. The path then came to be used frequently as a meeting spot for young lovers who lived in the two towns and, when an anonymous person wrote the words, “Via dell'Amore,” at both ends of the trail in lime, the local municipal administration eventually decided to formally adopt the title.
After a landslide injured four Australian tourists in September 2012, the decision was made to close the path. Full refurbishment was not begun until 2022 due to the fragile cliffside position of the path and the difficulties involved in reconstruction. A complicated operation, it involved using specialised equipment and workers, who used helicopters to move materials in and then put them into place while suspended from ropes and cables.
The path was partially reopened in 2015 and then finally fully reopened on the 27th of July 2024. It will remain open just to locals until the 8th of August 2024. Then, from the 9th of August 2024, the path will be accessible to tourists and visits can be booked on the official website. Note that you will need to book in advance and visits cost €10, which goes towards the upkeep of the path. Those looking to avoid larger crowds might try and book earlier in the day or closer to sunset. Guides will be on site and only 400 people per hour, spread in 4 groups of 100 every 15 minutes, will be allowed access to the path, entering from Riomaggiore, heading on a one-way route towards Manarola.
A paved and wide road with a railing, the Path of Love is considered one of the easiest parts of the Blue Path as many other stretches resemble mule tracks that cannot really be traversed without proper footwear and attire. Stretching for 1km between the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, it is actually one of four sections of the Sentiero Azzurro (or Blue Path), the most popular hiking trail in the park. This part of the trail is ideal for those who may not have the time or inclination for a long walk but who still want to take in the extraordinary views during a vacation on the Cinque Terre.
Already a gorgeous part of the world, dotted by the famous five villages of the Cinque Terre and with plenty of other charming towns nearby on the Ligurian Coast, this is a perfect place for a seaside break in Italy but a stroll along the Path of Love is sure to enhance the romance. Browse our villas on the Cinque Terre today and come fall in love with this gorgeous slice of Italy.
