Things to do in Monterosso al Mare, Liguria: The Best Sights & Landmarks

June 5, 2021 Flossie Demartino

The last of the five villages along the Cinque Terre strip, Monterosso al Mare is the most visited, largely because it has the only sizable sand beach and the biggest hotels. Though it can get very crowded with tourists during the peak summer months, Monterosso is still delightful. The old town area, separated from the more modern resort area by the Aurora tower, is home to the ruins of a medieval castle and San Francesco church, which houses an important Van Dyck painting of the crucifixion.
Restaurants in Monterosso al Mare

1. Church of San Francesco - Capuchin Friars Monastery

Salita Cappuccini, 19026 Monterosso al Mare Italy +39 0187 817531 [email protected] http://www.conventomonterosso.it
Excellent
54%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 416 reviews

Church of San Francesco - Capuchin Friars Monastery

Constructed from 1618 from the Capuchin Friars who came in Monterosso, the Church of San Francesco contains some fine art including a Crucifixion by Antoon Van Dyck, and sono other important Itaian painters from XVII and XVIII centuries. Near the church there is the Monastery of Capuchin Friars a very ancient structure with great garden where Friars live. It is a place of Peace and spirituality with a gorgeus view on the seaside. Here you can live the experience of St. Francis of Assis: semplicity and poverty and show his love for God and the beauty of nature and creation.

Reviewed By goodbye-2016 - Saint Paul, United States

Definitely worth the many steps up! Nice areas to stop along the way for pictures and the statue of St Francis. Very interesting history of the church and monastery and unusual grave site at the top.Well worth it!

2. Santuario di Soviore

Localita Soviore SNC, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy +39 0187 817385 http://www.santuariodisoviore.it
Excellent
43%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

Santuario di Soviore

Reviewed By 52billk - Tracy, United States

We came to Cinque Terre for the wine and hiking and didn’t get to the hiking until our last day. This was well worth the effort. It is not an easy hike, in fact, it is a good hour of up-hill climbing but well worth the view once you get there. Wear good shoes and light clothes. I brought a camelback water bladder and towel because of the heavy humidity. It’s a beautiful hike with blackberries, small plumbs and wild pears along the trail. Well worth the effort.

3. Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi

Colle dei Cappuccini, Monterosso al Mare Italy
Excellent
41%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
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0%
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4.5 based on 240 reviews

Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi

Reviewed By traveller_76587 - San Francisco, United States

Nice hike and views from the top. The statue is unique with the fact that the Saint is with his pet dog wondering nature.

4. Borgo Antico

Via Roma, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy http://www.prolocomonterosso.it
Excellent
44%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 518 reviews

Borgo Antico

Reviewed By Canadianstraveling - Oakville, Canada

We stayed in the Borgo Antico section of Monterosso al Mare for four nights in May 2019. Having visited all five of the Cinque Terre towns, we were glad that we chose Monterosso and particularly its older section, as our base; it has a calmness and charm that, for us at least, made it very comfortable. We stayed at a wonderful B&B (Il Giardino Incantato) in a 500 year old building and ate three very nice dinners (at Via Venti and Gastronomia San Martino), all in the old section of Monterosso. We loved its old buildings, the charming side streets, getting lost in the alleyways, visiting the historic churches, browsing in the shops and walking up to the Church of San Francesco and the Capuchin Friars Monastery. It was memorable!

5. Torre Aurora

Strada Provinciale 38, 28, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy +39 366 145 3702
Excellent
28%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
3%
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2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 143 reviews

Torre Aurora

The medieval Torre Aurora or Dawn Tower separates the old part of Monterosso from the new part (Fegina).

Reviewed By lynnm154

Torre Aurora is one of the things that you will see when you hike St. Christopher Hill in Monterosso. Take the stair way that goes up the hill between the old town and the new town. At the top of the hill there will be a statue of St. Francis, Capuchin Monastery, and the back entrance to the old town. Excellent hike and spectacular views. The Torre Aurora is a private residence and one of 3 remaining towers out of an original 13 that were erected as lookout towers.

6. Il Gigante

Via Fegina 138, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy
Excellent
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100%
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4.0 based on 448 reviews

Il Gigante

Reviewed By Stef_Stefanovich - Calgary, Canada

Being in Cinque Terra is one thing, being on the beach and then facing this 100 year old Statue of Neptune, the SEA GOD.is another..The village itself is a charming historical resort where visitors casually stroll around the old town and admire the 13 remaining defense towers, brightly colored houses, and striking landscape....you could spend weeks, we spent 4 days and 3 nights.... Restaurant suggestions forthcoming!!

7. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

Piazza don Giovanni Minzoni, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy +39 0187 817505 http://www.webdiocesi.chiesacattolica.it
Excellent
24%
Good
58%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 225 reviews

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

Reviewed By 17KAG - Edmonton, Canada

As we were heading back through the old town to the train station, we stopped in here for a look. A very beautiful church with some interesting interior decorations.

8. Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis

Piazza Don Giovanni Minzoni, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy http://www.prolocomonterosso.it
Excellent
22%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 209 reviews

Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis

Reviewed By 51danielled57 - Melbourne, Australia

This church is very unusual, and has a lot to offer if you take the time to properly see it. Many strange signs and decorations made me look up information afterwards, as none of the signs are in English inside or outside. Only one italian website gives its history, and, from my limited understanding of the language, it is a Brotherhood that looked after the dead, or took care of them. Bizarre decorations point to that too. Absolutely wonderful, different and worthwhile. Wish I could understand its meaning better but definitely eye-catching. Next to the Chiesa, step from one into the other

9. Oratorio della Cofradia dei Bianchi o de Santa Croce

Via Vincenzo Gioberti, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy
Excellent
29%
Good
63%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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4.0 based on 35 reviews

Oratorio della Cofradia dei Bianchi o de Santa Croce

Reviewed By pinkzinc

This is a beautiful church but the real beauty is on the ceiling. Wow ! Well worth a visit, the marble is also very beautiful.

10. Chiesa di Santa Maria Nascente

Via Fegina 122, 19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy http://www.comune.monterosso.sp.it/c011019/zf/index.php/comunita-religiose/index-chiesa/dettaglio-chiesa/chiesa/4/back/chiesa
Excellent
25%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
31%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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4.0 based on 16 reviews

Chiesa di Santa Maria Nascente

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