Once upon a time, people were building cliffside towns and villages to protect the residents. When they were on the steep rock face at the edge of the sea, they could easily see who was
Once upon a time, people were building cliffside towns and villages to protect the residents. When they were on the steep rock face at the edge of the sea, they could easily see who was coming from afar and made it more difficult for attackers to enter their cities. These places were initially known as ideal locations for defense.
These days, cliffside places are well-known for their scenic views, most of them being on the bucket list of travel lovers. In this article, let’s discover together the most breathtaking cliffside places around the world.
1. Santorini, Greece
One of the most popular cliffside islands is Santorini, located in the Southern Agean Sea in Greece. Known for its mind-blowing views, fabulous ssunsets and whitewashed houses, the island consists of 15 beautiful villages. There are numerous things to do in this seaside town, including exciting scuba driving, enjoy stunning sunsets on black sand beaches, and taste mouth-watering seafood.
2. Cinque Terre Villages, Italy
Known for its colorful buildings, grapes, and olives, Cinque Terre was proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage in 1997. It consists of five gorgeous villages, 3 of which are more popular:
3. Riomaggiore
Located on the upper side of Italy, Riomaggiore is the best location to start with when your first arrive at La Spezia train station. The colorful traditional stone houses make this town unique. The narrow middle path directly leads to the sea, and down the harbor, you can climb up the rocks to be mesmerized by the fantastic view of the cliffs and vineyards.
4. Manarola
Manarola is 230 feet above the sea and is connected to Riomaggiore by a walking path carved into the cliff. Manarola’s narrow alleys and steep staircases lead to the best crystal clear sea, ideal for a deep dive. The village’s church, San Lorenzo, was built around the 1330s and is located at the top of Manarola, the best place used to keep watch for pirates.
5. Vernazza
Vernazza is another splendid coastal city of the Cinque Terre. Founded in the 10th century, this ancient fishing village boasts a castle tower that was built in the 11th century to protect the towns from pirates. There you can now admire splendid views of the sea and neighboring areas.
6. Positano, Italy
Positano is a charming town on the Amalfi Coast of Italy where you can enjoy a terrific view of the Mediterranean Sea. One of the most romantic places in Italy, Positano is known for its colorful pastel houses on the cliffside, pristine blue waters, and sandy beaches. There, you can hike and taste delicious seafood and enjoy Santa Maria Assunta church with a beautiful majolica dome.
7. Busan, South Korea
Busan, is the second-largest city in South Korea and the biggest seaport. It abounds with impressive mountains, sparkling beaches, warm springs, and excellent seafood. Busan has something for everyone, whether it’s casual bars, elegant designer cafes, or fish markets full of every possible kind of fish. One of the most popular spots in this destination remains the Haedong Yonggungsa temple that dates back to 1376 and is built by Naong Hyegeunin.
8. Arcos De La Frontera, Spain
The town of Arcos De La Frontera, located in the Spanish province of Cádiz, is known for its many limewashed structures. The community is set on a limestone cliff above the Guadalete River, which flows on three sides of the city under huge vertical rocks. Having a freshwater spring and the hilltop location, which allowed a defensive view of anyone approaching, makes it a perfect place for a settlement.
9. Ronda, Spain
Ronda is another attractive Spanish cliffside destination. With approximately 35,000 inhabitants, the town is famous for its spectacular scenery at the peak of a deep gorge over which a quaint stone bridge spans. Ronda has a wealth of cultural traditions and is the epicenter for modern bullfighting.
These nine cliffside destinations will definitely take your breath away if you get the chance to visit them. If you know more stunning cliffside towns and villages, don’t forget to share them in the comments below.