Italy has no shortage of romantic places to visit, but the colorful coastal towns of Cinque Terre are among the most romantic places in all of Europe. And in Cinque Terre, one particular walkway is known for being one of the most romantic places in town: the Via dell’Amore, a picturesque pedestrian walkway along the coast. And in good news for late-summer visitors, the reopening plans announced in 2019 finally came to fruition on July 27, 2024, after a more than decade-long closure.
Photo: Roman Sigaev/Shutterstock
One of the Most Romantic Places in Italy Reopens After 12 Years
This iconic trail, celebrated for its romantic atmosphere and stunning sea views, had become a beloved destination for couples worldwide. The restoration project was a complex undertaking, requiring significant investment and engineering expertise to ensure the safety of visitors. New updates included massive steel mesh to cover segments of the cliffside and keep rocks and boulders in place, plus the planting of nearly 10,000 new plants with roots to secure the hillside and minimize the impact of future heavy rain. Italian authorities also installed a warning system, allowing for advanced notice if the path begins to become unstable.
The history of the Via dell’Amore
The Via dell’Amore was built to connect the coastal town of Riomaggiore with Manarola. Photo: Whatafoto/Shutterstock
The Via dell’Amore owes its existence to a rather basic purpose. Constructed in the 1920s, it was initially a utilitarian path carved into the rugged Cinque Terre cliffs to support building a railway tunnel connecting the towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola; the path was an access point for workers and materials. Once the tunnel was completed, the path was abandoned. But it was quickly embraced by local youth, who found its scenic beauty and the secluded atmosphere the perfect spot for a romantic rendezvous. The moniker “Via dell’Amore” emerged in the post-war era, cementing its reputation as a haven for Italian paramours.
However, the Via dell’Amore’s idyllic existence was abruptly interrupted in 2012 when a massive landslide slid down the cliffside, triggered by a combination of heavy rainfall and geological instability. The natural disaster caused severe damage to the Via dell’Amore, rendering the once-loved walkway impassable. The landslide not only disrupted the lives of local residents and injured four Australians, but also dealt a significant blow to the region’s tourism industry, as the Via dell’Amore was a major draw for visitors.
Fortunately, after the $25 million restoration project, it’s once again open for Italians and visitors alike — with a catch.
How to walk the Via dell’Amore
View from along the Via dell’Amore. Photo: Suchan/Shutterstock
The Via dell’Amore is a relatively short stretch, about two-thirds of a mile long, connecting the charming villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola. But you can’t just arrive in Riomaggiore and start walking. To preserve the path’s integrity and avoid overtourism, you’ll need a permit. During a test run in summer of 2023, permits cost five euros (roughly $5.50) per person and were capped at 30 people per hour, which equates to about 600 people per day. Visiting the path is now part of a group tour, rather than an opportunity to independently walk at one’s own pace. Reservations should be made in advance online, though the Via dell’Amore website is still under construction as of late July 2024. 