Soggiorna
The village with the beach, among the five
Monterosso al Mare is the westernmost of the five villages of the Cinque Terre and the only one with a significant sandy beach, divided between the equipped area of Fegina and the free stretch towards the old town: for this reason, it is often the base chosen by those looking for a beach holiday, in addition to exploring the villages.
The town is divided into two parts: the old village, with narrow alleys, the Gothic-Ligurian church of San Giovanni Battista in white and black stripes, and the remains of the castle; and Fegina, the more modern district along the beach, connected to the old village by a pedestrian tunnel and the promenade.
The Gigante and points of interest
On the Fegina cliff stands the Gigante, a concrete sculpture from the early 20th century depicting Neptune, damaged by bombings during World War II and by storms over time: it remains a visual landmark of the coastline. From the promontory between the old village and Fegina, one can enjoy a view of the entire seafront.
Trails and excursions
Monterosso is a starting point for the trails of the Cinque Terre National Park towards Vernazza and the inland, among olive groves and terraced vineyards: some sections require the Cinque Terre Card and the opening conditions should always be checked, especially after heavy rains.
How to get there
The Monterosso train station is well connected to La Spezia and Levanto/Genova on the Cinque Terre line; it is also the most convenient terminus for those arriving by car from outside the region, with slightly more abundant parking (paid and limited in high season) compared to the other villages.