Riomaggiore's small harbour sits at the foot of the valley between high cliffs, accessible through a vaulted tunnel beneath the railway. It is a working harbour — local boats are pulled up onto the ramp by a winch, out of reach of waves that can arrive quickly on this exposed coast. In summer the concrete platform beside the boats becomes a sunbathing spot for swimmers. The view looking back up at the stacked village from the water is the signature image of Riomaggiore.