Monterosso al Mare
The largest of the Five Villages and the only one with a real sandy beach. Fegina Beach and the old town are connected by a tunnel, making this the best base for accommodation and holidays.
Monterosso is the most north-westerly, largest and flattest of the Five Villages, and it is divided into two parts. Fegina, the new district where the railway station is located, has the only long sandy beach in the Cinque Terre. Part of it is paid umbrella-and-chair area, and part is free. At the end of the beach, a 14-metre-tall “Giant” statue carved in 1910 is set into the rock face. Go through the tunnel, or climb over the small hill with the Aurora Tower, to reach the old town. The old town has medieval narrow alleys, the Church of St John the Baptist built in 1307 with its black-and-white striped façade, a small harbour, and another small beach. Restaurants and lemon-product shops line the main street, Via Roma, of the old town. Local specialties include anchovies (there is an anchovy festival every June) and lemons (a lemon festival in May). The Capuchin Convent (Convento dei Cappuccini) on the hill east of the old town overlooks the bay and the entire village. It is the best spot for a panoramic photo and takes about 15 minutes to climb. Monterosso has the most hotels and the gentlest roads of the Five Villages, which makes it a good base for families with children or older travellers. It is also the western terminus of the ferry line and the starting point of the Blue Trail. The best section is the trail to Vernazza (3.5 km, about 1.5 to 2 hours, climbing 200 metres in the first half, with views over the coast and terraced vineyards along the way). Setting out in the morning helps you avoid the heat. The railway station is directly behind the beach, so you reach the sea as soon as you leave the station. The walk to the old town takes about 10 minutes. In summer the beach is very crowded. The sea is warmest from July to September, and snorkelling is possible in the rocky areas.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Church of San Giovanni Battista, Monterosso
- Fegina Beach
- Il Gigante, Monterosso
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore
- Doria Castle, Vernazza
- Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia
- Vernazza
- Levanto