Colton and I took a 3 week trip to Italy last year during our 6 month world trip. After a few amazing days in Florence, we hopped on a train to the iconic towns of Cinque Terre.
On our second day, we explore the little town of Manarola. After swimming and working up an appetite, we decided to head out in search of the best sunset views in Cinque Terre.
Little did we know we would find the double whammy of amazing sunset views and an incredible dinner!
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Cinque Terre is a stretch of the Ligurian coast made up of five picturesque fishing villages that are nestled up into the rocky landscape: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Each of these five towns is absolutely incredible, perched on the rocks overlooking the sea.
Our favorite of the five towns of Cinque Terre was the village of Manarola. What we liked the most about this town was the beautiful views down both directions of the coast, the delicious food, and the easy swimming access.
We spent a full day in Manarola after we had done a day exploring all five towns by scooter.
I also highly recommend spending a day riding a scooter around Cinque Terre! It’s a great way to experience the 5 towns and get amazing views. It was one of our very favorite things we did on our 6 month world trip!
We hopped over to Manarola from Riomaggiore for the day. First, we spent some time walking around and just exploring the little nooks and crannies of town.
Then, we headed over to a swim spot to escape the European summer heat.
READ ALSO: How to Get Around The Five Villages of Cinque Terre
The Best Sunset & Dinner Spot in Cinque Terre
After swimming for a while and working up an apetite, we walked back up to the viewpoint and made a reservation for dinner at Nessun Dorma.
Nessun Dorma is easily the best spot to get amazing sunset views in Manarola. In my opinion, it’s the best in all of Cinque Terre!
As the sun sets on the brightly painted buildings of Manarola, you’re treated to the most incredible colors in both the sky and the landscape from your vantage point at Nessun Dorma. A plus is the people watching as visitors play in the sea and enjoy the sun’s final rays.
You’ll need to download the Nessun Dorma app to put your name on the waitlist, or speak to the host.
The app is definitely the easiest way to get your name on the waitlist, as it gets really busy around sunset. It will tell you what number you are in line and notify you when you’re ready to be seated.
I recommend that you put your name in early instead of waiting until right before sunset. We waited about 30 minutes for a table, then sat down a bit before sunset. We just ate and drank until the sun went down so it worked out perfectly for us.
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The food is more appetizer style than entree style, and they have delicious cocktails and drinks as well.
You won’t find pizza or pasta on the menu here. Rather you’ll find amazing small plates made with fresh and mouth watering ingredients.
We ordered the pesto bruschetta and the burrata meat & cheese board.
Not only is the food beautiful and instagram worthy, but the view is unbeatable!
Nessun Dorma is unbeatably the perfect place to get the best sunset views in Cinque Terre.
How to Get to Nessun Dorma
Whether you arrive in Manarola by train, scooter, or car, you’ll find Nessun Dorma the same way. The town of Manarola is built into a small valley, so everything ends up at the sea if you just keep walking downhill.
Once you reach the small port, you’ll follow the path to the right that leads up to the viewpoint that is visible from the port. There is a small park up there, as well as a path that continues around the viewpoint that juts out over the sea.
Nessun Dorma is located just below the park, and is really a narrow walkway with tables and lounge chairs. The restaurant is entirely outdoors! There are umbrellas if you’re trying to escape the sun or rain.
READ ALSO:
How to Get Around The Five Villages of Cinque Terre
Travel Italy on a Budget: What Does it Cost?
5 Amazing Towns in Italy You Should Visit
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