Location: Monterosso al Mare
Top Things to do in Monterosso al Mare
Top 10 Things to do in Monterosso al Mare, Liguria
The last of the five villages along the Cinque Terre strip, Monterosso al Mare is the most visited, largely because it has the only sizable sand beach and the biggest hotels. Though it can get very crowded with tourists during the peak summer months, Monterosso is still delightful. The old town area, separated from the more modern resort area by the Aurora tower, is home to the ruins of a medieval castle and San Francesco church, which houses an important Van Dyck painting of the crucifixion.
Restaurants in Monterosso al Mare
1. Church of San Francesco - Capuchin Friars Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 416 reviews
Constructed from 1618 from the Capuchin Friars who came in Monterosso, the Church of San Francesco contains some fine art including a Crucifixion by Antoon Van Dyck, and sono other important Itaian painters from XVII and XVIII centuries. Near the church there is the Monastery of Capuchin Friars a very ancient structure with great garden where Friars live. It is a place of Peace and spirituality with a gorgeus view on the seaside. Here you can live the experience of St. Francis of Assis: semplicity and poverty and show his love for God and the beauty of nature and creation.
Reviewed By goodbye-2016 - Saint Paul, United States
Definitely worth the many steps up! Nice areas to stop along the way for pictures and the statue of St Francis. Very interesting history of the church and monastery and unusual grave site at the top.Well worth it!
2. Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,696 reviews
Reviewed By CToohill - Whanganui, New Zealand
Breathtaking views from this (sometimes) challenging hike. Now there is a ticket to buy to be able to do the hike, but it means that the path is well looked after and very safe! It was a great experience! And when finally Monterosso came to sight, we had a feeling of achievement!!
3. Buranco Agriturismo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By BobLizRun - Erbendorf, Germany
You must visit! The owners bring you in like family and are so incredibly genuine. The pictures don’t do this beautiful home justice! It’s magical! If they are unfortunately booked for your stay you must visit for dinner or a wine tasting. You will not be disappointed! We have three small children under the age of 9 and this was their favorite part of our trip (my husband and mine too). There is a huge courtyard for the children to play. The kids also get to explore the lemon orchards, grape vineyard, and bee keepers. I can’t get over what a beautiful hidden gem this place is!!! Just gorgeous!
4. Santuario di Soviore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By 52billk - Tracy, United States
We came to Cinque Terre for the wine and hiking and didn’t get to the hiking until our last day. This was well worth the effort. It is not an easy hike, in fact, it is a good hour of up-hill climbing but well worth the view once you get there. Wear good shoes and light clothes. I brought a camelback water bladder and towel because of the heavy humidity. It’s a beautiful hike with blackberries, small plumbs and wild pears along the trail. Well worth the effort.
5. Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
Reviewed By traveller_76587 - San Francisco, United States
Nice hike and views from the top. The statue is unique with the fact that the Saint is with his pet dog wondering nature.
6. Borgo Antico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 518 reviews
Reviewed By Canadianstraveling - Oakville, Canada
We stayed in the Borgo Antico section of Monterosso al Mare for four nights in May 2019. Having visited all five of the Cinque Terre towns, we were glad that we chose Monterosso and particularly its older section, as our base; it has a calmness and charm that, for us at least, made it very comfortable. We stayed at a wonderful B&B (Il Giardino Incantato) in a 500 year old building and ate three very nice dinners (at Via Venti and Gastronomia San Martino), all in the old section of Monterosso. We loved its old buildings, the charming side streets, getting lost in the alleyways, visiting the historic churches, browsing in the shops and walking up to the Church of San Francesco and the Capuchin Friars Monastery. It was memorable!
7. Il Gigante
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 448 reviews
Reviewed By Stef_Stefanovich - Calgary, Canada
Being in Cinque Terra is one thing, being on the beach and then facing this 100 year old Statue of Neptune, the SEA GOD.is another..The village itself is a charming historical resort where visitors casually stroll around the old town and admire the 13 remaining defense towers, brightly colored houses, and striking landscape....you could spend weeks, we spent 4 days and 3 nights.... Restaurant suggestions forthcoming!!
8. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By 17KAG - Edmonton, Canada
As we were heading back through the old town to the train station, we stopped in here for a look. A very beautiful church with some interesting interior decorations.
9. Spiaggia di Fegina
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 698 reviews
Reviewed By JHRedSox - Lexington, United States
Our trip to Cinque Terre came in the middle of our holiday. The first day we hiked in the mid-afternoon heat from Vernazza to Corniglia. It was a fair bit of work, so we decided to have a relaxing beach day on day 2. It was a quick 5-minute train ride from Vernazza to Monterosso, and the train station is in the new part of town. The beach is right there when you exit the station. We were one of the first families on the beach, so were able to rent front row chairs. We also rented a "cabin", which was basically a changing room with a lock. It was PERFECT. We could leave all of our valuables there, and just take what we needed down to the chairs. All in all I believe it was €42 for two chairs, an umbrella, and the cabin, and worth every penny. There were showers, so we were able to rinse off before the 2 hour train ride back to Florence. The beach is indeed pebbles. Once you are out in the water, it was fine, but it was challenging getting in and out. Those neoprene water shoes would have been ideal to walk up and down the beach. I just left my flip flops by the water. The water temperature was probably in the high 70's when we were there in early September. It was very refreshing, and clear. Absolutely gorgeous. By the time we came back from lunch the beach was crowded, but it never felt overwhelmingly busy. Highly recommend this beach with its amenities to families.
10. Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By 51danielled57 - Melbourne, Australia
This church is very unusual, and has a lot to offer if you take the time to properly see it. Many strange signs and decorations made me look up information afterwards, as none of the signs are in English inside or outside. Only one italian website gives its history, and, from my limited understanding of the language, it is a Brotherhood that looked after the dead, or took care of them. Bizarre decorations point to that too. Absolutely wonderful, different and worthwhile. Wish I could understand its meaning better but definitely eye-catching. Next to the Chiesa, step from one into the other
