Getting to Manarola by plane By train it is necessary to go to Genova Brignole from the airport. For those arriving further away, the best-served airport is Milan Malpensa, about 300 km away, 3 and a half hours. By train, on the other hand, a bus service or the Malpensa Express train takes you to the central station.

Manarola, the second smallest of the Cinque Terre villages in Italy, is most easily reached by the dedicated local train service. The "Cinque Terre Express" runs frequently between the major transport hubs of La Spezia and Levanto, stopping at each of the five villages; the ride from La Spezia to Manarola takes only about 10 minutes. For those who prefer a more scenic approach, seasonal passenger ferries connect Manarola to the other villages (except Corniglia) and to the nearby town of Portovenere, providing a spectacular view of the colorful houses clinging to the cliffs from the water. While driving is technically possible, it is strongly discouraged as the village center is a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) closed to non-resident cars, and the very small parking lots located high above the town fill up instantly. Most visitors choose to arrive by train and then explore the village on foot, walking down the steep main street toward the harbor, which is famous for its deep-water swimming and the iconic sunset views from the Nessun Dorma restaurant balcony.