Manarola, Cinque Terre

A tiny village of pastel houses tumbling down a rocky spur into the sea, and the most photographed view in the Cinque Terre, especially at sunset from the path to Punta Bonfiglio. The little harbour has rocks for swimming and diving off in summer.

Above the village, a path climbs through the vineyard terraces to Volastra, with sweeping views. At Christmas, the hillside above Manarola is lit up as a giant nativity scene. Riomaggiore, the next village, is a good base, with plenty of rooms; it's a short walk or one stop by train.