Cinque Terre Monterosso Italy

Monterosso is the largest of the five coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre. The village is located on hills cultivated with lemons, vines and olives. Its amazing beaches, its beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal clear waters make this small village one of the most popular of the Italian Riviera.

Monterosso is divided in two parts marked by the medieval tower of Aurora. The old town of Monterosso is dominated by the ruins of the castle and characterized by typical narrow medieval streets, carruggi, with multi-coloured terraced houses, shops and restaurants.

Monterosso, Fegina beach, Cinque Terre

Beach-lovers should definitely stay in Monterosso. The town has several beaches, both private and public ones. Near the station you will find Bagni Eden, the beautiful beach recognized by its orange and blue striped umbrellas.

Monterosso is almost flat, ideal for anyone with mobility issues and for those who just not want to climb a lot of stairs. It is also great for families with small kids, as there are long stretches along the beach promenade where you can walk with a stroller.

Monterosso panorama on Vernazza

Where to stay in Monterosso

Monterosso offers a wide range of excellent family run 3 and 4 star hotels near the beach: Hotels in Monterosso. In the old part of town, there is a good choice of charming, high-quality Airbnbs and Guest Houses and we have selected the best alternatives for you: Bed & Breakfasts in Monterosso.

You will also find some beautiful agriturismi, farmhouses, surrounded by vineyards and lemon trees in Monterosso. This type of accommodation often offers traditional local food, wine tastings and themed suppers. Farmhouses in Monterosso.

If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends, here you will find our selection of spacious vacation rentals: Apartments in Monterosso.

Restaurants in Monterosso

In Monterosso you will find a wide range of restaurants, from open-air cafes to exclusive gourmet restaurants offering great dining options. Here are our favorites: Best restaurants in Monterosso.

Hiking the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza

Hiking is definitely the best way to explore this spectacular coastline. The hiking trail from Monterosso to Vernazza starts at the end of the promenade near Hotel Porto Roca. Duration: 2 hours. The trail takes you through a very beautiful landscape dominated by wines and olive groves on one side and the crystal clear ocean on the other side. More Information: Cinque Terre hiking trails.

For this trail you will need a Cinque Terre Card. A one-day trekking card costs €7.50 and you can buy it at one of the tourist information centers at the station or at one of the control booths. The other option is to buy the combined train/hiking pass. This costs €18.20 for one day and also includes unlimited use of the trains. The Cinque Terre Express trains are running frequently on the Levanto - Cinque Terre - La Spezia line and stop at each of the five towns. During low season you do not need any pass as all trails are free.

If you are in Levanto, you can walk the trail to Monterosso which takes about 2,5 hours. For this trail you do not need any hiking pass.

The Lemon Festival in Monterosso

The famous Lemon Festival in Monterosso will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024. This unique event is celebrating the lemons of Monterosso on the third Saturday of May each year.

Monterosso has a long tradition in the cultivation of lemons and they are a key ingredient in many specialities such as anchovies marinated in lemon juice, limoncino (lemon liqueur), lemon cream, lemon marmalade, granita, ice cream and lemon cakes.

During the festival the village is decorated with lovely lemon decorations. Stands are set up along the narrow streets in the old part of Monterosso. Lemon producers are showing their products, and you are able to taste and buy many delicious products made of this tasteful fruit.

Map of Monterosso

monterosso cinque terre map

What to see in Monterosso

  • Weekly Farmers' Market in Monterosso every Thursday morning.
  • The Church of San Giovanni Battista, located in the main square of the old town. This church was constructed in the 1200s, in the Gothic-Genovese style. Inside, there is a fresco depicting the baptism of Christ.
  • The San Francesco Church where major art works are kept such as the Crucifixion by Van Dick.
  • The statue of the Giant, Il Gigante, a stone sculpture located at the end of Fegina Beach, representing Neptune, the god of the sea.
  • The statue of San Francesco d' Assisi, located on the "colle dei capuccini" on the old town side.
  • High up at 400 metres above sea level is the Soviore Sanctuary which dates back to the XVII Century.

Events in Monterosso

  • Farmers' market - every Thursday morning
  • The Lemon Festival, Sagra dei Limoni - on the 3rd Saturday of May each year. The village is beautifully decorated with lemons and you can taste limoncino, lemon cream, lemon marmalade and the special lemon cake; torta al limone. More information: Monterosso Lemon Festival.
  • Corpus Domini, Sunday June 2, 2024. The narrow streets of the historic center are ornately decorated with lovely designs all created by numerous colorful flower petals and in the evening there is a procession.
  • Sagra dell'acciuga fritta, on the 3rd Saturday of June. You can taste the famous anchovies of Monterosso.
  • The annual Patronal Feast of San Giovanni Battista, June 23-24, with the traditional bonfire on the beach, procession, fair, floating candles in the sea and fireworks.
  • Festa della Madonna Assunta, 14th of August. In the evening fireworks over the sea.
  • Festival bandistico, on the 1st Saturday of September. A musical event in which bands from all over Italy participate.
  • Sagra dell'acciuga salata e dell'olio d'oliva, on the 3rd Saturday of September. You can taste the famous anchovies of Monterosso and buy some locally produced olive oil extra virgin.
  • Festa del vino, on the 4th Saturday of September. You can taste the Cinque Terre DOC wines and the dessert version called Sciacchetrà.

How to reach Monterosso

By plane: Milan Malpensa Airport and Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei are the most convenient entry points for onward travel to the Cinque Terre. From Pisa Airport you can in just 5 minutes reach Pisa Centrale station with the People Mover shuttle train. From Pisa Centrale there are Intercity trains directly to Monterosso. From Milano Centrale station there are Intercity trains directly to Levanto and Monterosso in 3 hours.

By train: The most comfortable way to get to Monterosso is by train. The five Cinque Terre villages are on the Genoa - La Spezia - Pisa line and the trains are running frequently from Milan, Genoa and Pisa. Monterosso is the only one of the Cinque Terre villages that is served by long distance Intercity trains. If you arrive from the north, Milan or Genoa, you can take an Intercity train directly to Monterosso. If you arrive from Pisa, there are Intercity trains directly to Monterosso. If you arrive from Rome with a high speed train, you will have to change trains in La Spezia. In La Spezia you take the Cinque Terre Express trains to Monterosso.

By car: Monterosso is the easiest of the five Cinque Terre villages to reach by car. Take the highway A12 Genoa - Livorno, exit at BRUGNATO. Follow the signs toward Borghetto Vara and Pignone. Follow the signs in direction Monterosso. You will come to an intersection. Turn right to go to Fegina, the new part of Monterosso, or turn left for the old town. You must know in which part of Monterosso you have booked an accomodation. We recommend you to reserve a hotel with private parking: Hotels in Monterosso.

Parking in Monterosso

Monterosso is the only village with large parking lots in the center of the village. There are two main parking areas:

In Fegina, the new part of town: Parking lot with 300 parking places near the Fegina beach.
Parking fee: 2.50 euros/hour, 25 euros/24h.
From day 3 to day 7: 10 euros/24h, from the 8th day onwards: 5 euros/24h.

In Loreto, the old part of town: Parking lot with 100 parking places, open 24/7 all year round, at the entrance of the old part of Monterosso.
Parking fee: 2.50 euros/hour, 25 euros/24h.
From day 3 to day 7: 10 euros/24h, from the 8th day onwards: 5 euros/24h.

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