Monterosso al Mare
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This is the largest of the Cinque Terre villages. It is set between Punta Mesco and Punta Manara on the rocky cliffs from which you can look down into the depths of the sea. Moving around in Monterosso is very easy because the terrain is flat and the area is split up differently to the other villages. It is divided into the residential area of Fegina, the modern center with restaurants and cafes, and the historical part with many medieval buildings.
Tourists are not attracted to Monterosso al Mare for its monuments, but rather for the beautiful panoramas and everything the village has to offer. It is indeed a paradise for people who dream of a vacation in the heart of Italy in a lovely hotel with all comforts, and nightclubs and restaurants where they can spend the evenings. The other villages of the Cinque Terre, though, are more peaceful.
Monterosso al Mare is also suited to those who enjoy a vacation by the beach; because there are many beaches here and they are the only sand beaches in this area (more detail - on page “The main beaches”).
Places of interest in Monterosso al Mare
Open this page from your mobile phone and you can start the navigator for any point of interest or monument described here.
The historic center
The area of Monterosso al Mare which attracts the largest number of tourists is the historical center of the village. It is the old quarter of the village and still retains its medieval aspect, thanks to the ancient castles and towers, the walls of fortresses, towers and other defensive constructions which are located along the narrow winding alleys. The Aurora Tower, built on the hill of San Cristoforo, separates the “modern” part of Monterosso al Mare from the historic center.
The church of San Giovanni Battista and the Oratory of the Confraternity of the Neri Mortis et Orationis
The Church and the Oratory, adjacent to one another, are an example of Italian Gothic and Baroque. The church that bears the name of San Giovanni Battista was built in the XIII century; Matteo and Piero di Campiglia were involved in the works and built the facade. The most fascinating element of this building is the stone bell tower which was originally built as a watchtower. The Oratory of the Confraternity of the Neri Mortis et Orationis is especially interesting because the wooden statue of Sant'Antonio Abate is preserved inside, brought here from the monastery of Punta Mesco after it was destroyed.
The Capuchin Monastery (Monastero dei Cappuccini)
This is a unique place, recognized by tourists in 2015 as the most peaceful and beautiful place in Italy (place of the heart), where you can rest your body and spirit. Paintings by Van Dyck, Luca Cambiaso, Bernardo Castello and other Ligurian painters are conserved in the monastery. It was built in the XVII century and is located on the hill of San Cristoforo, which divides Monterosso al Mare in two parts: the historical and urban sections. The view from the hill is breathtaking!
The Aurora Tower
In the past, Monterosso al Mare was an entity under military protection: defensive watchtowers were erected, in fact, throughout the village. There were 13 in all. Only three remain today, among which the Aurora Tower (XVI century), built just little distance away on the hill of San Cristoforo. The Monastery of Sant'Antonio del Mesco is located nearby, though has not been preserved over time despite its religious character. The Aurora Tower is well preserved; it is currently used as a private dwelling.
The statue of Neptune (La statua di Nettuno)
The sculptor Arrigo Minerbi and engineer Levacher created this stone statue of the mighty god of the sea in 1910. On his shoulder, Neptune carries a giant sea shell. The cement statue, 14 meters high and weighing 1700 tonnes, was positioned in the immediate vicinity of the sea, near the beach of Fegina. Unfortunately Neptune was damaged by bombs during the Second World War and later by the storms of 1966. The statue has been partly restored in recent years.
The Sanctuary of Soviore
The Shrine was erected in honor of Our Lady of Soviore, patroness of the marine world, sailors and fishermen. It is the most ancient religious building in Liguria, and is already mentioned in documents as far back as 1220. The Soviore Sanctuary consists of a complex of structures which include the Church, porticos and the bell tower. In the XVII century the building was enlarged and renovated. You can reach it with trail 509 (ex 9) in about one hour.
Map of places to visit and Monterosso al Mare walking trails
Pedestrian routes near Monterosso al Mare
The walking trails near Monterosso are much loved by tourists. The most popular are those that connect it with Vernazza and Levanto. More information on all the most noted trails can be found on the page “Trails and routes”.
Monterosso al Mare - Vernazza (short route)
The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: June 06, 2020.
This is the shortest route to Vernazza. The trail goes uphill almost immediately, so it is advisable not to go too fast in the initial climb so you don’t lose your energy immediately. The trail then becomes much easier. It may be closed sometimes due to the weather conditions.
Monterosso al Mare - Vernazza (long route)
The current condition of the route: Open.
A long walk to Vernazza through the woods of the high ground, some distance from the sea. The route gives you the chance to visit two ancient churches, unique in Liguria. This trail is always open and walkable.
Monterosso al Mare - Punta Mesco - Levanto
The current condition of the route: Open.
The route crosses Punta Mesco. It takes approximately one hour to reach the summit, and 40 minutes for the return journey. A magnificent view over the beautiful scenery of the coastline can be enjoyed from the point. From Mesco to Levanto it is a walk of 2 hours. You can also return along the same path, but we recommend that you continue the walk, because there is a fantastic view from this trail.
To walk the short trails connecting all five villages of the Cinque Terre you will need to purchase the “Cinque Terre Card”. It is also a good idea to check the conditions of the trails in advance, as some of them could be closed due to the weather conditions and other reasons (more information on the page “Conditions of trails and map”).
* Kcal - more information on the consumption of calories and the complexity of the various trails can be found in the section “Walking trails”.
Recommended hotels in Monterosso al Mare
Thanks to the large beaches and the territorial location of Monterosso al Mare, hotels here are very popular. What’s more, there are a lot of interesting things to do in this village. You can view all the accommodation on offer with this tool. We recommend looking at the following hotels:
Hotel Porto Roca
Price: high.
The hotel is located on the top of the cliff near the historical center of Monterosso al Mare. It is an elegant villa with gardens, swimming pool and terraces facing the sea. It is the best hotel in the entire national park, and also offers a free transfer service from the train station and the parking area.
More information
Hotel Margherita
Price: medium.
Hotel Margherita is located just 1 km from the railway station in the historical center of Monterosso al Mare. You will find the beach and the marina at 250 meters and there are shops and lots of restaurants nearby. The hotel is surrounded by green hills and walking trails. Silence and tranquility reign here. There is a multi-storey car park nearby.
More information
Hotel Monterosso Alto
Price: affordable.
A comfortable home, transformed into hotel, located outside the town of Monterosso al Mare and set on the top of the hill, away from the noise of tourists and with views of the mountains. Monterosso Alto is a quiet and romantic place, also suitable for families with children. There is a free shuttle to the village from the hotel.
More information
On this page you can read visitor comments on all the hotels and compare them. In addition, you should consult:
Low-cost hotels in Monterosso al Mare.
Romantic hotels in Monterosso al Mare.
Luxury hotels in Monterosso al Mare.
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Parking in Monterosso al Mare
There are two large parking areas (marked on the above map). Parking is accessible for motorhomes too, although there are no facilities just for them. During the period from May to August the local car parks are usually full. We advise you to leave the car in La Spezia.
Price: 2.5 euro/h, to a maximum of 25 euro/day (for motorhomes 3 euro/h and maximum of 25 euro/day); from November to March 15 there is a discount of 50%.
Address: via Molinelli, 10, Monterosso al Mare (close to the beach).
Address: strada Provinciale 38, 112, Loreto, Monterosso al Mare.
