ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1237

Sights in Riomaggiore
Beach
Riomaggiore's rugged and tiny “beach” is rocky, but it's clean and peaceful. Take a two-
minute walk from the harbor: Face the harbor, then follow the path to your left. Passing the
ruggedboatlanding,stayonthepathtothepebblybeach.There'sashowerthereinthesum-
mer, and another closer to town by the boat landing—where many enjoy sunning on and
jumping from the rocks.
Kayaks and Water Sports
The town has a diving center (scuba, snorkeling, kayaks; office down the stairs and under
the tracks on Via San Giacomo, daily May-Sept 9:00-18:00, tel. [phone],
www.5terrediving.it ) .
Hikes
The cliff-hanging Torre Guardiola trail, a steep 20-minute climb from the beach up to old
WWII bunkers and a hilltop botanical pathway, has been closed because of a rock slide.
Another trail rises from Riomaggiore scenically to the 14th-century Madonna di Montenero
sanctuary,highabovethetown(45minutes,takethemainroadinlanduntilyouseesigns,or
ride the green shuttle bus 12 minutes from the town center to the sanctuary trail, then walk
uphill 10 minutes).
Nightlife in Riomaggiore
Bar Centrale, run by sociable Ivo, Alberto, and the gang, offers “nightlife” any time of
day—makingitagoodstopforItalianbreakfastandmusic.Ivo,wholivedinSanFrancisco,
fills his bar with San Franciscan rock and a fun-loving vibe. During the day, this is a shaded
place to relax with other travelers; it feels a little like the village's living room. At night,
it offers the younger set the liveliest action (and best mojitos) in town. They also serve €5
fast-food pastas and microwaved pizzas, and a menu featuring comfort food for homesick
Americans (daily 7:30-24:00 or later, closed Mon in winter, free Wi-Fi with drink, in the
town center at Via Colombo 144, tel. [phone]). There's a good gelateria next door.
Enoteca & Ristorante Dau Cila, a cool little hideaway with a mellow jazz-and-
Brazilian-lounge ambience down at the miniscule harbor, is a counterpoint to wild Bar Cen-
trale. It's cool for cocktails and open nightly until 24:00 (snacks and meals, fine wine by the
glass; see “Eating in Riomaggiore,” later).