Soggiorna
Vernazza stands on a spur of rock above the sea, its pink, red and yellow houses crowded around a small natural harbour. It still has the feel of a fishing village, and it is listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy.
A village born on the sea
Vernazza appears in the chronicles as early as 1080, as a fortified village and naval base of the Obertenghi marquises: the ships used to defend the coast against the Saracens probably sailed from here. In 1170 it fought alongside Genoa against the Pisans and, as a loyal ally of the Republic, it was caught up in the clashes with the troops of Frederick II in the mid-13th century. It is a seafaring past that can still be read in the shape of the village, entirely turned towards the harbour.
What to see
- The harbour and the square on the sea: the heart of the village, where the boats also arrive. It is the place to look at Vernazza from, and the starting point for exploring it.
- The church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, right on the harbour: first mentioned in 1318, it has wide trefoil windows, a medieval part to the east and a Renaissance part to the west.
- The Doria castle and the 11th-century watchtower, the Belforte, the most visible remains of the defensive system that protected the village.
- The town walls and the tower of the convent of the Reformed Franciscan Fathers, above the village.
- The lanes climbing between the houses: just a few dozen metres from the harbour they are much quieter.
The trails
Two of the most beautiful sections of the Sentiero Azzurro start from Vernazza: towards Monterosso, to the north, and towards Corniglia, to the south. They are paid sections, walked with the Cinque Terre Card, Trekking or Train. Before setting off, check on the Park website that they are open: landslides and works close them, sometimes for long periods.
A Park bus, free with the card, climbs from Vernazza to the sanctuary of the Madonna di Reggio and the hamlet of San Bernardino: a way to see the village from above without walking all the way up.
How to get there
- By train: the station is in the village, on the line between Levanto and La Spezia. It is the simplest way.
- By boat: in the warmer months Vernazza is one of the stops on the internal Cinque Terre line.
- By car: you cannot drive into the village. There are two private car parks 1.3 km from the centre, with 35 and 49 spaces, at 2.50 euros an hour or 20 euros a day, shuttle into the village included. In summer it is worth booking them by phone.
All the details in the guide on how to get to the Cinque Terre and where to park.
Tips
- Arrive early or stay until evening. In the middle of the day, in the busiest months, the harbour square is packed: early in the morning and after sunset the village is again the one in the photos.
- Combine Vernazza with Corniglia or Monterosso on foot along the Sentiero Azzurro, and return by train.
- Corniglia belongs to the same municipality: it is just one train stop away, to the south.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Vernazza?
As far as the car parks above the village, 1.3 km from the centre. From there a shuttle, included in the parking price, takes you into the village.
What to see in Vernazza?
The harbour with the church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, the Doria castle with its watchtower and the lanes climbing up from the harbour.
Do you need the Cinque Terre Card to walk from Vernazza to Monterosso?
Yes, the section of the Sentiero Azzurro between Vernazza and Monterosso is paid and requires the Trekking Card or the Train Card.