Vernazza
The only one of the Five Villages with a natural harbour. Towers, a church and colourful houses surround a small square and beach, and the view from the northern trail is considered perfect.
Vernazza is widely considered the most beautiful of the Five Villages. A natural little harbour is embraced by brightly coloured houses, the round watchtower of the Doria family, and the Church of Santa Margherita, built in 1318, whose octagonal bell tower stands right by the sea. On the harbour square, restaurants set out their outdoor tables, and beside the square is a small strip of beach where you can swim. There are two best viewpoints. The first is at the start of the Blue Trail north to Monterosso, about 10 to 15 minutes’ climb up the steps from the end of the main street on Via Ettore Vernazza, requiring a Cinque Terre Card or a fee of €7.5. From here you look down over the whole harbour and village, and the morning light is good. The second is the Doria Castle tower on the west side of the harbour (€1.5, with access to the top), from which you can see the village from the sea. Via Roma, the main street, runs about 300 metres from the railway station to the harbour and is lined with focaccia bakeries, restaurants serving pesto (which originated in Liguria), and small grocery shops. Walk through an archway off the main street to reach the “secret beach” among the rocks. In October 2011, a mudslide buried the main street under 4 metres of mud. Residents spent two years rebuilding, and memorial markers still line the street today. The Blue Trail from Vernazza to Monterosso (3.5 km, about 1.5 to 2 hours, climbing steeply before descending) is the most classic and most scenic section of the whole route, and also the most crowded. The stretch to Corniglia (4 km, about 1.5 hours) is quieter. The railway station sits above the village, a 3-minute walk down to the harbour. The ferry pier is next to the harbour square. Local restaurants recommend trying acciughe (local anchovies) and seafood pasta. At midday in peak season the crowds are heavy. The harbour is only peaceful in the early morning and evening.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia
- Doria Castle, Vernazza
- Corniglia
- Monterosso al Mare
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore
- Church of San Giovanni Battista, Monterosso
- Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)
- Fegina Beach