Riomaggiore has a good selection of places to stay, with a couple of hotels. It also has lots of restaurants and the best nightlife – though it's still fairly relaxed – but brace yourself for plenty of hills.

Riomaggiore, the southernmost village of Italy's Cinque Terre, is exceptionally hilly and steep, characterized by a "vertical" layout that can be physically demanding. The village is built into a narrow, rocky cleft, with its iconic colorful houses "cascading" down the hillside toward the Ligurian Sea. Walking through Riomaggiore involves navigating a maze of narrow, winding alleys (carruggi) and countless stone staircases. While the main street, Via Colombo, is paved and somewhat easier to walk, most paths to the scenic viewpoints, the historic castle, or the upper church (San Giovanni Battista) require a steady incline. For travelers in 2026, it is essential to wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes. While there is a small "ecological" bus that connects the town center to higher points on the hill, most of the village is pedestrian-only, meaning visitors should be prepared for a significant amount of climbing and descent throughout their stay.