Location: Monterosso al Mare
Top Things to do in Monterosso al Mare
- 1. Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza
- 2. Church of San Francesco - Capuchin Friars Monastery
- 3. Borgo Antico
- 4. Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi
- 5. Spiaggia di Fegina
- 6. Santuario di Soviore
- 7. Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis
- 8. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
- 9. Beach Bar Stella Marina
- 10. Buranco Agriturismo
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Top 10 Things to do in Monterosso al Mare, Italy
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. Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By canontnia - Canada
We arrived in Monterosso in October. One of the reasons we came to Cinque Terre was to do some of the hikes between the villages. So a word of warning: not all the trails are open at different times. Presumably since we arrived after the main tourist season all the trails except this one were closed for repair. Check before hand if you are counting on hiking all or certain specific trails. And remember there is a fee to hike each trail.
We did walk this one and found it very doable (I'm in average shape), a bit rough out of Monterosso as you hike up, but it gets easier as you go along. No need to wear hiking shoes since the path is well trodden. I found my Sketches just fine. As others have said the view is pretty. But if the weather is good and the sun shining its hard not to appreciate the view anywhere along the Italian coast.
All in all a pleasant excursion in the Fall, especially given the modest number of people hiking this trail. But another word of warning: I would hate to see this or any of the other trails in high tourist season! Similarly, even in off-season Vernazza was an unpleasant experience. I can only imagine what it would be like in high season! For me Cinque Terre in its entirety should be avoided for those months.
2. Church of San Francesco - Capuchin Friars Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Reconstructed in 1632 after the previous church was destroyed, the Church of San Francesco contains some fine art including a Crucifixion by Van Dyck, two canvases by Flasella, a marble triptych by Domenico Gare (1529) and the Dead Christ from Maragliano. Nera 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.
Reviewed By Russ K - Jamestown, North Carolina
A beautiful stop on Monterosso but not for the out of shape. Winding stone path leads first to the statue of San Fransesco Assisi and the temptation to continue the vertical assent. Next stop is the quaint chapel and active convent of Cappuccini. Yes, it is still active and must be home to some of the fittest nuns in the world. God bless. But you're not done. Keep going to the mausoleum and you will find old crypts of local folks which will leave you wondering how in the h*ll were they carried to their final resting place. Oh, the views of Monterroso are great all along the trek. Do it.
3. Borgo Antico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 363 reviews
Reviewed By JamesD20 - Houston, Texas
This was a beautiful portion of Monterosso Al Mare. The old town offers a quaint glimpse of the lifestyle of the Old Town. We visited in August and the tourists were shoulder to shoulder but the architecture a was beautiful reflection of that old world charm.
Don't be surprised if the few inhabitants don't welcome you with that same old world charm. Tourists overrun Cinque Terre, but it is an area of Italy that can't be missed.
4. Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
5. Spiaggia di Fegina
Overall Ratings
4 based on 477 reviews
Reviewed By Chris P - Laguna Hills, California
Didn't go in the water since its October, but this didn't stop others from going in. Walked long this beach a couple of times. Its very beautiful. This rock in the picture if very picturesque. Saw women out there a few times getting their pictures taken in front of it with selfies. This hole area is beautiful and you won't miss it if your in town.
6. Santuario di Soviore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By acstarr
We enjoyed the hike up the ancient path even though it was challenging and uphill the whole way. At the top is a beautiful church and sanctuary with a fabulous view of the sea and hillsides. We had lunch then walked all the way back downhill. Would not recommend the hike for small children.
7. Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By high_low73 - Bergen, Norway
This is a small 16th century baroque oratory. Constructed at the time of the Counter-Reformation. At this time there emerged many religious associations, the Confraternite. It is unusual and worth a look. Small and intimate, but a good place to sit down and take in some of the interior. How many skulls can you see?
8. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Overall Ratings
4 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By ExplorerGoddess - Sydney, Australia
The facade of green and white marble stripes is particularly interesting and at the top the rose window. Worth a look inside too where there are also stripes on the arches and pillars.
Directly next door is the Oratory of the Confraternita dei Neri which has a somewhat similar striped facade. But though the Church is built in the Gothic style the Oratory is built in the Baroque style. Both are worth a look if nearby.
9. Beach Bar Stella Marina
Overall Ratings
4 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By RonL40 - Utica, New York
It's a beach bar and you wouldn't expect that the food would be as good as it is. Great drink selection, good wait service and ample menu selections. Won't go wrong here.
10. Buranco Agriturismo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Charlotte C - London, United Kingdom
We visited this vineyard yesterday and had a lovely experience. The staff were very friendly and we enjoyed some of the different wines they offer. We did a wine tasting which was great value for money, there are many different options to choose from but I would say definitely choose one including the dessert wine as this is the wine of the region. The accompanying food that comes with the wine is very tasty, we could have kept eating for hours! Google maps told us it was a very long walk (50 minutes!) from the old town but when we googled it further we found you just type via buranco on the maps and follow this up, this is literally a 5 minute walk from the old town and well worth it for the experience. The town is very busy but this is a quiet haven within busy Cinque Terre!
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