The Cinque Terre are one of the most romantic places in Italy. Let us discover together which are the most beautiful locations where to take couple’s photos in the Cinque Terre and the surrounding area.
Couple photos in the Cinque Terre: the most beautiful locations
The Cinque Terre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – are one of the most romantic places in Italy, an ideal setting for beautiful couples’ photos, an engagement shoot or perhaps a seaside wedding in Liguria!
These five picturesque villages located on the Ligurian coast – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al mare – are world-famous for their natural beauty, scenic paths, including the famous ‘Via dell’Amore’, colourful houses overlooking the Mediterranean and charming atmosphere.
What is the most beautiful place in the Cinque Terre? This question is impossible to answer: they are all wonderful and each one is unique. Which location to choose for a couples’ photo shoot in the Cinque Terre, however, depends on the preferences and needs of each couple.
Since I have been living and working as a portrait photographer in this beautiful part of Italy for many years, I have tried to make an overview of the most beautiful locations for a couple photo shoot in the Cinque Terre. Read on to discover the dream locations in this corner of paradise.
Many different views for couple photos in Monterosso al Mare
One of my favourite locations for taking couple photos in the Cinque Terre is Monterosso al Mare. It is the largest village of the five, and as such allows for quite different scenery, offering both the sandy beach and the rocks.
Inside the village, then, going upwards, there are paths less known to tourists that allow one to enjoy beautiful views of the Cinque Terre and the coast, without being in the middle of the chaos.
Monterosso is perfect for daytime photography in the Cinque Terre, because the sun ends very early behind the mountain and therefore one cannot take advantage of the light of sunset.
The best sunset in the Cinque Terre in Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore
Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore are the ideal places to enjoy the best sunset in the Cinque Terre and take advantage of it for a wonderful pre-wedding photo shoot.
On where to take photos in Vernazza, one is spoilt for choice: the village’s main square, with its medieval tower and small harbour, creates an enchanting setting for couples’ shots, with several spots from which one can see both the houses and the harbour and the entire bay. The waterfront and alleyways are also ideal for capturing moments of love and happiness, and just up the path towards Monterosso one can capture beautiful panoramic views of Vernazza.
The only thing to keep in mind: Vernazza is always quite crowded, so one should shoot early in the morning or towards evening, perhaps taking advantage of the golden hour before sunset.
Manarola is perhaps one of the most iconic villages, famous for its colourful houses overlooking the sea, narrow streets, panoramic terraces and spectacular views. For couple photos, the small harbour is very nice, with some views of the rocks, as is the upper part near the Nessun Dorma wine bar. Even here, however, there are always lots of people so you have to know where to go to avoid having too many intruders in your pictures!
Riomaggiore is characterised by narrow streets, colourful houses and a delightful little harbour. For photos, the cliffs with the background of the houses are very beautiful, but also the upper area: for example, two of my American clients fell in love with the ancient gates of Riomaggiore and wanted them as the backdrop for their couples’ photo shoot.
Beautiful wedding locations in Porto Venere
Although it is not part of the Cinque Terre, Porto Venere is practically the ‘sixth land’ and is a much sought-after location both for couples’ photo shoots and for getting married in the Cinque Terre: a wedding at Portovenere Castle is the dream of many!
The beautiful Doria Castle lends itself very well to intimate and elopement ceremonies: you are high above the sea and have a view of Lord Byron’s Grotto, the church of San Pietro and practically the whole bay. There are also some very nice views from both the church and the grotto, and among the narrow streets. Depending on the season, you can see the sun setting over the sea.
Bonassola, Levanto and Framura for photos between sea and hills
Other locations for couples photos around the Cinque Terre, more niche than those mentioned above but just as beautiful, are the towns of Bonassola and Levanto, where my photography studio is located. In Levanto there are many beautiful spots for photos by the sea and also areas a little more in the hills for those who like green. Framura with its beautiful little harbour is also very attractive.
Couple photos among the vineyards with sea view of the Cinque Terre
To couples who contact me for photo shoots in the Cinque Terre I often propose the option of vineyards. The hills above the Cinque Terre are covered with terraced vineyards that create a charming setting where one can take advantage of both the rustic setting of the vineyard and the view of the sea. These locations are ideal for taking romantic photos in the midst of nature.
Often, however, these are private areas and you need to know the right people to gain access, you may not always succeed and it depends on the time of year, but it is always worth giving it a try.
Couple photos on a boat in the Cinque Terre
An exclusive experience – dedicated to those who are willing to invest a slightly higher budget – is to celebrate an intimate wedding or to propose at sea, on a sailing boat or a boat that organises private tours along the coast.
Similarly, one can decide to do a couple’s photo shoot on a boat, because the view of the Cinque Terre from the sea is the most beautiful. In addition, you can go down to one of your favourite locations to take a few shots in the marina as well.
Did this overview of the most beautiful locations for couples photos in the Cinque Terre make you dream? If you are looking for a photographer in the Cinque Terre to turn your dreams into reality, contact me: I’m looking forward to capture your couple photos in one of these fairytale settings.
