Part of Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park, Monterosso al Mare opens directly onto a large sandy beach. This seaside aspect sets it apart from the other villages of the Cinque Terre and, of course, makes it particularly popular among tourists.

Even though its beach is Monterosso’s main attraction, the village has much more to offer.

Let’s discover it together in this post
 

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Where is Monterosso?

Monterosso is part of the Cinque Terre and is located in northwest Italy, between Genoa and Pisa, and south of Milan. Monterosso is the northernmost village of the Cinque Terre, located north of Vernazza. It’s also the biggest of the 5 villages with around 1,500 inhabitants.

 

map of monterosso cinque terre

 

The town is split in 2 by a promontory with a tunnel spanning a hundred meters: on one side, you’ll find the Fegina district, boasting cozy residential areas, top-notch hotels, and the railway station; on the other side rests the old port and the old town featuring quaint narrow streets filled with wine bars, restaurants, gelaterias and more. The beach is located in the old town part.

If you want to enjoy the beach and feel the dolce vita, then Monterosso is the best place to stay in Cinque Terre for you!

 

view from the walkway in monterosso

 

Is Monterosso Worth Visiting?

For me, Monterosso is well worth a visit because it has something completely different to offer.

Compared to its neighboring towns, Monterosso is much bigger, offering a plethora of activities to indulge in. There’s plenty to choose from if you want to go shopping, go out in the evening, or visit small monuments.

Of course, the beach with its crystal clear waters is THE highlight of Monterosso. It’s one of the few beaches in the Cinque Terre that’s made of sand rather than pebbles, and above all, it’s the largest beach in the area.

With its vibrant atmosphere and diverse attractions, Monterosso is the perfect home base for exploring the Cinque Terre.

 

the main street of monterosso

 

Things to do in Monterosso

With my wife Nes, we’ve spent only a morning in Monterosso so we couldn’t see it all. But it was enough to have an overview of the town.

Discover our exploration of Monterosso below:

 

1. Stroll by the beach

Right after stepping out of the Monterosso train station, you get to walk in cute little streets, right next to the beach, under the trees.

It’s really refreshing to stroll by the sea and around the village which is, unlike the other 4 villages, mostly flat. No steep hill to climb, and no steep stairs either.

 

2. Statua del Gigante

cool building in monterosso

 

After the stroll, we headed to the west part of the village (right side when facing the sea). After a short walk, we found a beautiful old building with a huge tower as you can see in the photo above. Right next to it, there’s the massive statue Il Gigante which is a statue of Neptune.

I don’t have a photo of it simply because we missed it. I learned about it after my visit, what a shame… So, be sure not to make the same mistake and check it out, it’s beautiful!

 

3. Visit the Old Town

 

As said earlier, the biggest village of the Cinque Terre is split into 2 parts. While the modern part has a seaside resort vibe, the old town is incredibly well-preserved. Its narrow streets are lined with buildings typical of medieval Liguria.

When visiting the old town, you’ll be able to discover some old defensive towers, including the one that is now the bell tower of San Giovanni Battista Church.

 

4. Relax on the beach

view from the beach in monterosso

 

After visiting the village, it was time to head to the beach! Monterosso is famous for its beach. It’s a real sand beach where you can lie down, soak in the sun, and relax.

I was there in November, so there wasn’t anyone around (and it wasn’t that warm). But during warmer days, the beach looks more like a resort, with umbrellas lined up on the beach, long chairs everywhere, and boats touring the coast.

 

5. Visit the Aurora Tower

 

After relaxing on the beach, we headed to the other side of the village, towards the Aurora Tower, the tall square tower on the cliffs right above the water.

Perched on the San Cristoforo hill, the Aurora Tower is among the 13 towers that guarded the town in the Middle Ages. Only a handful of these towers still stand today. Standing on a cliff surrounded by the sea, out. However, you can’t go inside because people live there now.

When we got to the tower, we turned back towards the village and were surprised by the wonderful view of the village you can see in the photo below.

 

monterosso al mare in cinque terre italy

 

After enjoying the view for a while, we got back to the train station, ready to discover the other villages of the Cinque Terre.

 

rock in the sea in monterosso

 

How to Get to Monterosso

To get to Monterosso and the Cinque Terre, the best choice is to fly either to Genoa, Florence, or Pisa.

Which city to fly to depends on where you can get the cheapest flight! Personally, I found a very cheap flight to Pisa (30€ round trip from Paris) so I flew to Pisa.

Once you’re in Italy, simply take the train to reach the village. The train system in Italy is very developed, and tickets are cheap!

A train ticket from Pisa to Monterosso costs between 10€ and 20€ in 2024. Of course, like everywhere else, the earlier you book the cheaper! The whole journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, with a connection in the town of La Spezia.

If you’re already in the Cinque Terre, getting from one village to the other is easy. Just go to the train station, buy a ticket there (2.40€ in 2024), and hop on the train. It takes around 3 minutes to go from one village to the next.

Book your train tickets here: Trenitalia

 

panoramic view of monterosso cinque terre

 

Tips for Visiting Monterosso

To help you make the most out of your trip, you can find below a few tips:

  • If you plan to stay in Monterosso, book in advance, a minimum of 6 months before your trip.
  • If you have time, visit the churches in the village, they are beautiful inside
  • The village is divided into 2. Make sure you visit the other part, via the footpath next to Torre Aurora.

 
view from monterosso al mare
 

Where to Stay in Monterosso

The village is a good choice for a stay in the Cinque Terre. However it’s pretty popular, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Ready to make Monterosso your home base? Here are the best accommodations in Monterosso according to your travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Hotel 5 Terre: Located in a quiet area close to the beach, this hotel provides large and comfy rooms for a good price. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the breakfast is delicious!

💰 Budget Pick – Albergo Al Carugio: Clean, central, and convenient, this hotel has everything to ensure you an amazing trip. And the price will surprise you!

⭐️ Luxury Pick – A cà da Alba Rooms: This property located in the old town not far from the beach is simply beautiful. Enjoy a full apartment just for you, well-furnished with high-quality facilities and stylish decor.

Not satisfied with this selection? Check out my guide to the best hotels in Monterosso for more. Or check out the full list of the best hotels in Cinque Terre (in all villages).

 

🔍 Read More:

Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of Italy to help you plan your trip:

 

I hope you enjoy your trip to Monterosso and the Cinque Terre! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.