The Colours of Cinque Terre Italy

Cinque Terre is one of those rare places that lingers in your memory long after you’ve left. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, this stunning stretch of the Italian Riviera with it’s five beautiful hillside villages is nothing short of magical. We’ve just returned from our trip and wanted to share a few highlights from our experience.

From Monterosso to Riomaggiore, each colourful cliffside village offers its own unique charm with breathtaking coastal views that make you feel as if you’re stepping into a postcard. The hiking trails that connect the towns wind high above the sea, offering some of the most scenic vistas in all of Italy. It’s a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and authentic Italian culture—a dream destination for photographers and travelers alike.

We used the town of Levanto as a springboard to reach all the villages by train. Here’s a quick overview of the five villages we explored in Cinque Terre.

24-250mm lens; 1/80 sec.; f/11; ISO 200, AV mode

Monterosso al Mare – This is the largest village of the 5, known for its sandy beaches, seaside promenade, and lemon trees. This village is ideal for golden hour beach shots and contrast-rich images of umbrellas, boats, and sunbathers. Since we were challenged with cloudy skies during our stay, I tried to capture the expansive coastline and pastel hotels tucked into the hills in a dramatic way.

16-35mm lens; 1/60 sec.; f/11; ISO 160, AV mode

Vernazza – Often considered the most picturesque of the towns, has a charming harbour, colourful houses, and a medieval castle tower overlooking the sea. This village is best photographed from the hiking trails above the town. You can climb to the Doria Castle or hike the trail from Monterosso to get a classic bird’s-eye view of the harbour surrounded by colourful houses.

24-250mm lens; 1/250 sec.; f/11; ISO 250, AV mode

Corniglia – This is the only village not directly on the sea. Perched high on a cliff with panoramic views, you can catch a shuttle bus which takes you up the hill. It’s quieter, more rustic, and surrounded by terraced vineyards. This village, best photographed from above, is known for its sweeping vineyard terraces and dramatic sea cliffs. Narrow alleys and rustic stonework offer intimate details for storytelling shots.

24-250mm lens; 1/125 sec.; f/13; ISO 100, AV mode

Manarola – Arguably the most photographed village, famous for its romantic views, pastel buildings cascading down to the rocky harbour. Catching the sunset from the opposite cliff is iconic—buildings glow in the golden light as the waves crash below. Even though we had a lot of clouds this day, patience paid off when the sun shone  through the clouds for about 10 minutes.

16-35mm lens; 1/80 sec.; f/11; ISO 500, AV mode

Riomaggiore – This is the most eastern and vibrant of the five, with steep streets, dramatic coastal scenery, and a lively marina. I’ve always loved the look of this place. It’s great for dynamic harbour shots with vibrant buildings climbing the hills. Capture fishing boats, alleyways lit by warm evening light, and night scenes with reflections on water.

Each village has its own light, colour palette, and rhythm—making Cinque Terre a must for any photographer and visual storyteller. Cinque Terre will always remain in our hearts as one of our favorite photo locations.

The Finishing Touch

For this “Colours of Cinque Terre” collection, I decided to use the Hahnemühle FineArt Pearl paper. This bright white FineArt Pearl enables impressive contrasts and pictorial depth in black and white or colour photography, so I thought this would be perfect for this collection with it’s vibrant colours. Its premium pearl inkjet coating meets the highest industry standards regarding density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness while preserving the special touch and feel of genuine art paper. I love it – why not give it a try!

Happy Shooting & Printing!

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