Riomaggiore is the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre. It's sits at the head of a torrential valley. It's a vertical village, all stairs no streets. The dwellings are brightly colored tower houses. It boasts a tiny harbor. Riomaggiore has a number of interesting monuments including a defensive castle and two churches, San Giovanni Battista and Santa Maria Assunta. The most popular leg of the Sentiero Azzuro, known as the Via dell'Amore, starts in Riomaggiore. As with Corniglia, the castle affords a spectacular view. Like Monterosso and Vernazza, Riomaggiore is touristy.