Monterosso al Mare - The Ultimate Guide to the Resort Village of Cinque Terre

Discover the beauty of Monterosso al Mare, a charming seaside village in Cinque Terre. In this guide, we share the best things to see, do and enjoy in this lovely Italian destination.

The Cinque Terre — meaning “Five Lands” — is made up of five small villages that many consider some of the most beautiful spots in Italy. Located along the Ligurian coast and tucked into a series of seaside coves, this part of the Italian Riviera has grown in popularity over the past few decades, attracting visitors from all around the world. It’s easy to see why: with its colorful houses, clear blue water and vineyards clinging to steep cliffs, Cinque Terre is truly a stunning destination.

Monterosso, the largest of the five, captivates visitors with its long beaches, medieval streets and amazing sea views. From strolling through the historic center to tasting local food, Monterosso offers the perfect mix of relaxation and exploration amid the stunning backdrop of the Italian Riviera. In this post, we’ll share the best things to see and do in Monterosso, with a walking route and helpful tips to make your visit easy and enjoyable.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Monterosso, located at the northernmost point of Cinque Terre, is the biggest of the five villages in Cinque Terre and the first one you’ll reach by train if you’re coming from Levanto. It might look a bit different from the others, but it still has a lot to offer. With its long beaches, sunny vibes, and relaxed feel, Monterosso is a great place to enjoy both the sea and the charm of the region.

The village has two main parts to explore. The old town (Borgo Antico) is full of narrow streets, colorful houses, and a peaceful atmosphere. The newer area (Fegina) feels livelier, with more shops, cafés and restaurants. Monterosso also has the longest beach in Cinque Terre, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or just relaxing by the sea. In the evening, the beach area gets busy with music, people chatting and bars opening up — giving the town a fun and welcoming energy. If you’re looking for a mix of beach time and classic Italian charm, Monterosso is the place to be.

HISTORY

Monterosso has a long history that dates back to Roman times, with archaeological evidence showing early settlements in the area. Its name likely derives from the Latin phrase “Mons Ruosi”, meaning “mountain of ruins”, hinting at ancient structures once found there. Due to its relatively flat and accessible coastline, Monterosso became an important fishing and trading port along the Ligurian coast.

In the Middle Ages, the village was fortified to defend against frequent pirate attacks, which threatened the entire Cinque Terre region. Remnants of defensive walls and towers still stand as a reminder of this turbulent period. Monterosso grew as a hub for local agriculture, especially citrus fruits and vineyards, and its natural harbor helped sustain its economy through trade and fishing. Over time, the village’s location and resources made it the largest and most developed of the Cinque Terre towns.

THE VILLAGE

As soon as you arrive in Monterosso, you’ll notice how it feels different from the other Cinque Terre villages. Here, long stretches of beach take center stage instead of steep cliffs. Still, rocky hills frame the coastline, giving it a special charm. Walking from the train station to the old town by the water, you’ll pass rows of colorful sun umbrellas showing the private beach areas. The clear blue sea and the tall rock rising from the water make the view even more special — a perfect postcard scene.

On top of the hill which divides the old Centro Storico from the new town Fegina, used to be a monastery. On the way up there, you will find a terrace (just above the thousand-year-old fortified tower) with the statue of St. Francis — patron of the Capuchin order of the monastery — with the wolf of Gulbio pointing South to the other Cinque Terre villages and welcoming the monastery visitors.

This ancient monastery was built in 1622 by the Capuchin Friars after getting the land from the town of Monterosso as a sign of gratitude for having restored peace between two antagonistic factions of the village. The monastery is still manned and offers social and cultural activities, guided tours and spiritual retreats. The adjacent church is dedicated to St. Francis and has a stripe Romanesque facade — typical of Liguria tradition — but this one is not marble but plastered stucco.

Now down to the old town part of Monterosso to visit one of the oldest churches of the Cinque Terre. Dating back to 1307, when the Genoese maritime republic ruled the region, the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista portrays a beautiful — and locally traditional — Romanesque striped main façade. Although the stripes seem black and white, they are actually made from a dark green marble and a white one from Carrara. And they get narrower near the top to create an illusion that the church is taller than it actually is. The impressive rose window above the entrance with the delicate ornament on marble is also worth checking. Inside there are more details from the Ligurian Gothic architectural style: the striped marble columns and arches as well as the marble floor also in black and white.

Starting at the Giuseppe Garibaldi square — where the city hall stands in all its orange glory — Via Roma is the old town main street. It sets the tone of the traditional townscape you can expect from the Cinque Terre: pastel-colored house with the right amount of decadent charm, crossing crooked narrow lanes with flowered balconies and many small stores and restaurants to welcome the tourists. Lose yourself through the alleys and take in all the beauty of the scenario around sometimes with green slopes on the background.

To end your visit in Monterosso, what could be better than to bath in the enchanting blue sea? You can enjoy the Old Town beach which awards us with the best view to the whole village: a combination of Old and New Town backgrounds. Although it is mostly a private beach with all the parasols and beach chair symmetrically disposed for rent (between 20 EUR and 25 EUR to rent 2 chairs and an umbrella for the day), its left corner is a free beach (Tragagià), usually less crowded, where you can unroll your towel and enjoy the scenic waterfront.

HIKING FROM MONTEROSSO

As previously mentioned, the five villages of the Cinque Terre are connected by hiking trails (marked with red and white paint), also known as the "Blue Trail" (Sentierro Azzurro), which have been used for centuries. In order to have access to these hiking trails, you need to either have the Cinque Terre Train Card (16 EUR per day per person; more information here) or buy the Cinque Terre Trekking Card  (7.50 EUR per day per person; more information here).

This section is one of the most popular sections of the Blue Trail. The route, which connects Monterosso to Vernazza, is one of the most fascinating but also one of the most tiring, but the panoramic views are rewarding! The hike is approximately 3.3 km long and lasts approximately one hour and a half. One tip though: we recommend that you hike from Vernazza to Monterosso and not the other way around as there are 500 steps to climb and these can be difficult, especially on hot days! On the contrary, coming from Vernazza, the climb is not as steep, which makes the walk all the more pleasant! If you're stubborn and still want to hike from Vernazza to Monterosso, we advise you to take the bus to Vettora in order to skip the many steep stairs.

Travel Essentials

GETTING THERE

Located at the northernmost point of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso may be reached from larger cities of the Italian Riviera, and more generally from all the major cities of Italy. Like the other villages of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso is more easily accessible by rail. The train station is located in the new part of town (Fegina): from there, the old town is only a hundred meters away on foot. Below you will find some information on how to get there by train:

• From Pisa: a stop in La Spezia is necessary, the trip lasts around an hour and costs 10 EUR.
• From La Spezia: direct train line to the Cinque Terre; the trip lasts around 20 minutes and costs 4 EUR.
• From Genoa: direct train line to Monterosso; the trip lasts around an hour and costs 10 EUR.
• From Sestri Levante: direct train line to Monterosso; the trip lasts around 20 minutes and costs 6 EUR.

The Cinque Terre Train Card is the card you need! This card costs 16 EUR per day per person and includes unlimited train rides in the Cinque Terre area AND access to all the hiking trails (more information here).

One of the best way to enjoy the Cinque Terre is to hop from one village to the other by boat. This allows you to see the villages from a different perspective, however, if you are on a rush (which we hope you are not), boat rides tend to be slow and therefore not ideal. The price for unlimited boat trips in the Cinque Terre costs 27 EUR per day per person (more information here).

While it is possible to reach Monterosso by car, it is important to note that cars are not allowed in the village. Due to this restriction, traveling by car may not be the best option to reach these remote villages. In addition, the limited number of parking spots available can be a disadvantage for travelers coming by car, and the cost of parking is relatively high (about 2.50 EUR per hour and 25 EUR per day). However, for adventurous travelers who still decide to come to the Cinque Terre by car, below are some distances and approximate travel times from nearby cities: 114 km and approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Pisa, 94 km and approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from Genoa, 34 km and approximately 45 minutes from La Spezia, and 45 km and approximately 55 minutes from Sestri Levante.

EATING THERE

- Gastronomia San Martino: This place offers fresh food with a daily-changing menu that includes excellent and affordable homemade dishes from the region. They are popular among locals for their food and offer a range of options including pasta, seafood, and salads.

- Da Eraldo: A cozy trattoria tucked away near the old town, serving authentic regional plates like pansotti in walnut sauce and grilled anchovies. Reservations are recommended, especially in high season.
- Pasticceria Bar Laura: This pastry shop is known for its delicious Monterossina, a chocolate pie that is a local specialty. They also offer other pastries and desserts, as well as coffee and other beverages.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Although not the most typical Cinque Terre village, Monterosso still has charm enough to be included amidst the five. Especially due to the medieval old town with well-preserved historical sites and the longer pebble beaches with stunning blue transparent waters. The well balanced combination between a glam beach resort and the traditional rustic pastel townscape turns this Cinque Terre odd one into the unique one. For more information about the Cinque Terre, check our post here.

And now it's your turn to let us know what your impressions about Monterosso were. Which of the five villages is your favorite? We look forward to reading your comments.

Tags: Italy