TOP 10 Cinque Terre Monterosso + Unique Beach Monterosso & Monterosso Restaurants

TOP 10 Things to do in Monterosso Cinque Terre + Beach Monterosso & Monterosso Restaurants – Monterosso al Mare is a beautiful seaside town in Liguria, in northern Italy, as well as one of the towns that are part of the 5 Terre. Behind it are the mountains that keep it separate and guarded from the rest of the Italian territory as if to preserve and protect its beauty.

The road to reach Monterosso al Mare by car is very suggestive. In fact, to get to this town in the Cinque Terre, you must travel a stretch of road descending from the mountains until you reach Monterosso al Mare. During this stretch of road, our attention is captured by the majestic natural landscape and the fascinating, somewhat remote villages that are ideally nestled between the mountains, woods, and Mediterranean scrub.

Monterosso al Mare is mainly divided into two areas: a newer area overlooking the sea where the main protagonist is the beach of Fegina and an older area which always starts from the sea and its beach, commonly called Tragagià, which then passes through the center of historical and which goes up the hill of San Cristoforo.

Let’s go together to see some historical information, the Monterosso beach, some restaurants you can find here in Monterosso and the best things to do in Monterosso al Mare.

Monterosso al Mare history and origins: What is the history of Monterosso Italy?

All the towns of the Cinque Terre are beautiful to see and attractive to discover and it is perhaps for this reason we want to know more about the history of these places. A question we asked ourselves while we were in Monterosso al Mare is the following: Where were the first residential areas born here in the Cinque Terre?

To answer, we can then say that they really arose here in the area of ​​Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza. Vernazza is another of the Cinque Terre’s towns that is very close to Monterosso al Mare. If you move from Monterosso al Mare to La Spezia, it is the next town you can find.

The other settlements arose only later, thanks to Genoa’s military and political power.

What is the history of Monterosso Italy? The origin of Monterosso al Mare is quite ancient, as it can be dated to the era of the expansion of the Roman Republic.

The history of Monterosso al Mare is also strongly linked to the history of Genoa. In fact, towards the middle of the 1200s, after various struggles between the Maritime Republic of Pisa and that of Genoa, Monterosso al Mare was linked to the Maritime Republic of Genoa.

Cinque Terre Monterosso beaches

The Cinque Terre are a unique place of its kind; each town has its own characteristics. Monterosso al Mare is the right choice for all those who want to visit the Cinque Terre but don’t want to give up a beautiful beach.

Monterosso al Mare has 2 main beaches:

1. Fegina Beach and
2. Tragagià beach.

Fegina Beach

Fegina Beach is the main beach of Monterosso al Mare, as well as the largest beach and in summer is also equipped to welcome tourists.

Fegina Beach is a beautiful beach with some areas of sand and others of pebbles.

The sandy part is stunning because a characteristic of this beach is that where there is sand it mixes with shiny grains.

Observing the shoreline with the water that gradually covers the sand that releases flashes and sparkles is truly very beautiful: it seems like a highly precious beach. As if someone had purposely placed a shower of golden glitter on the sand.

In addition to this small detail we can say that Fegina beach is a beautiful long beach, especially if you compare it to other beaches here in the Cinque Terre.

The Cinque Terre are in fact typically famous for their unique scenery, for towns rich in history, for walking routes, for good food, for the beautiful sea but less so for the beaches. The beach of Monterosso al Mare remains in my opinion, the most beautiful beach here in the Cinque Terre.

Fegina beach is a long beach and can be divided by characteristics and location. Some portions of Fegina beach are consecutive but differ in characteristics while another portion of the beach is adjacent but slightly offset as it is separated from the Fegina parking lot.

Let’s see together some of these portions of the beach.

Giant’s Beach

The Spiaggia del Gigante is part of the Fegina beach, the longest beach in Monterosso al Mare. In the final part of Fegina beach which is located further towards Levanto, overlooks the characteristic Statue of the Giant, the great guardian of the beaches of Monterosso.

Thanks to this characteristic statue we can call this portion of the beach the Giant’s Beach for convenience. The Spiaggia del Gigante also lends itself to having its own name as it remains separate because it is divided from the rest of the Fegina beach by the Fegina Parking car park.

The statue of the Giant represents Neptune and was created in 1910. It was made of reinforced concrete and iron, 14 meters high and weighing 1700 quintals. Unfortunately, a strong storm in 1966 damaged and weakened the Great Giant.

It was later restored, but only partially. In fact today he appears without arms, without a trident, without a shell and without a leg. In any case it still presents itself as an impressive and exciting statue that is worth seeing.

In summer, Spiaggia del Gigante is a beach equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. Along the seafront of Spiaggia del Gigante there are games for children and there is also a five-a-side football pitch. The five-a-side football pitch and games for children are located next to the Fegina Parking car park.

After the children’s games we have the Bagni Fegina bathing establishment, the Barabba restaurant, then the walkway with the observation point to see the beach and the giant. Shortly after we have the Il Gigante bathing establishment with its beach bar. At the end, near the giant’s statue, we have a small portion of free beach.

Spiaggia dello Scoglio di Monterosso

Fegina Beach is also the one where there is the great rock of Monterosso. The rock of Monterosso al Mare is nothing more than an enormous rock that rises upwards from the shoreline and plunges into the sea at its outermost base.

The rock of Monterosso al Mare is a distinctive feature of Fegina Beach. In fact, as soon as you see a photo where there is this rock, you can immediately identify where it was taken.

The rock of Monterosso stands in the longest part of Fegina beach. Walking along this beach we can see that some of its characteristics change. The initial part of the beach closest to the Fegina parking is mainly made up of sand, while as we head towards the Monterosso rock the beach and the sandy seabed give way to pebbles.

In addition to the difference in the seabed, the transparency of the sea is also often different. The transparency of the sea in the area of ​​the large rock of Monterosso is often better than the transparency of the sea in the initial part of the beach. For all these differences, it is worth identifying the area of ​​Fegina beach where there is the Monterosso rock as Spiaggia dello Scoglio di Monterosso.

Tragagià Beach

Continuing beyond the Fegina beach towards Vernazza and Levanto, we arrive in front of the historic center of Monterosso al Mare. Here, we have another beach commonly called Spiaggia Tragagià. This beach is bordered on one side by the pier where boats are taken to reach the other villages of the Cinque Terre and on the other side by the cliff.

Tragagià Beach is suitable for those who like to swim near rocks and reefs, perhaps for snorkeling.

Going towards Punta Corona from the Tragagià beach we notice that there is a cliff and along the path to Punta Corona you can see the sea from top to bottom. From here the view of the sea and Tragagià beach is truly spectacular.

Monterosso free beach

Monterosso al Mare beaches are entirely free from October to April/May as there are no umbrellas and sunbeds in the bathing establishments on the beach.

In summer, however, the beaches of Monterosso are equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds and are leased to bathing establishments. In summer, therefore, to be able to position yourself in these areas you must rent umbrellas and sunbeds. You cannot put your towel on the floor in front of these beach clubs.

However, you can use the free beach if you don’t want to rent an umbrella. In fact, both at Fegina beach and at Tragagià beach there are some delimited areas dedicated to the free beach.

Clearly the portions of free beach are much smaller than the parts dedicated to the equipped paid beach.

Where do we find the portions of free beach in Monterosso al Mare? We have 2 portions of free beach at Fegina beach in the area that goes from the Fegina Parking to the Grande Scoglio of Monterosso.

We also have a portion of free beach at Spiaggia del Gigante, right at the end of the beach, practically at the foot of the Statue of the Giant. On the opposite side of Monterosso, at Tragagià beach we also have a free beach here that you can use if you prefer to stay on the historic center side and swim near the cliff because you love snorkeling.

Free beach in August

To understand if you can easily find a place on the free beaches of Monterosso al Mare in August or if there are space problems, let’s take for example the free beach on Fegina beach, in the longest area between the Grande Scoglio di Monterosso and the Fegina Parking.

Given that the period of most significant crowding on the beaches of Monterosso is in the central weeks of August let’s take some of these days in mid-August as an example.

The free areas at Fegina Beach get quickly crowded especially during high-season periods such as August.

In fact, already from the morning at 8:00 people begin to arrive and occupy the first places on the sand with their mats or towels.

For example, at 9:30 on the morning of Sunday 13 August 2023, the free beach is almost wholly occupied if we consider that there should be a certain distance between one family and another.

Since it’s August and it’s still quite early in the morning, I’m sure that many more people will arrive. The end result will be that there won’t even be a place to place your towel anymore.

However, at 9.30 am on the same day, many places are still available at the bathing establishments.

At 1pm there are no more free places on the free beach where you can place your towel and umbrella. In fact, you can see people wandering around the beach looking for an umbrella and sunbeds to rent in a beach establishment but by now they are practically all already occupied.

So if you plan to come to the free beach in August, on weekends in the middle of summer or in any case during a crowded period on the beach, you should come early in the morning to be sure of finding a place.

What has just been said was even more confirmed to us by observing what was happening on the beach on 14 and 15 August 2023. Below are our observations of these days.

The free beach fills up very easily in August. So if you want to find a strip of sand where you can put your towel, you’d better come early in the morning because there are already people coming to the beach at 7:00 in the morning and already by mid-morning the beach is entirely complete.

If you want to relax and feel comfortable without worrying too much about your neighbors with towels, I strongly advise you not to use the free beach on August 15th and in any case in the days around August 15th because it really turns into a carnage.

The people who gradually arrive are desperately looking for a corner where they can put even just their bags and then dive directly into the water. Those who arrive in the afternoon no longer find a place and look for an umbrella to rent, but they are all busy. Someone gives up and leaves.

Watching people trying to position themselves on the free beach feels like watching them play Tetris, but it’s certainly a lot less fun.

So if you are considering coming to Monterosso al Mare during the mid-August period and your hotel does not have a reserved beach, the absolute thing to do is come early in the morning and rent an umbrella and sunbeds immediately. This saves you from finding yourself in an unmanageable situation in which I personally would never want to find myself on a day of vacation without worries and fun.

In August even the umbrellas and sunbeds are positioned very close together, but you are sure at least of having your space. However, remember to arrive in the morning around 9:00 or 10:00 maximum to find an umbrella and sunbeds available.

After what has been said above I would like to specify that with the right precautions your holiday in Monterosso al Mare can be a wonderful experience even in August. We didn’t have any particular problems with our umbrella and sunbeds and we really liked the beaches of Fegina and Monterosso al Mare.

FAQ Monterosso beaches

Here are some questions and answers about the beaches of Monterosso al Mare where you can find some useful information.

Has Monterosso al Mare clearwater?

When we choose a sea travel destination, it is normal to wonder what the sea water is like in that place, if it is more or less clear. Swimming in a beautiful place with clear, transparent water is the best.

So, how is the seawater in Monterosso al Mare? The sea water in Monterosso al Mare is on average clear. Clearly, it is not comparable to the clearwater of other places such as Sardinia or Puglia where you can’t help but get into the water and swim and the beauty of the sea alone is a valid reason to choose these places.

In any case, the clearwater Monterosso al Mare is on average, and it is pleasant to swim here. Then, in some portions of Fegina beach the water is more transparent than in others. For example, near the rock of Monterosso al Mare, the seabed is made of pebbles and there is better clearwater than it is in the sandy part of the beach near the Fegina Parking.

Moreover, generally in the morning the sea water is more transparent than in the afternoon and therefore it is preferable to swim in the morning if possible.

Making a quick change of beach and going to see Tragagià Beach we already notice that there is a cliff and also going towards Punta Corona you can see the sea from top to bottom. I must say that the sea here is a natural spectacle and I couldn’t help but stop to admire it.

Returning instead to the beach of Fegina I can say that if you admire it from the other, it also has a WOW effect for the sea’s beauty. Of course, not everyone is crazy about pebble beaches, but we are in Northern Italy, only about 3 hours by train from Milan, in the unique scenery of the 5 Terre. This whole combination makes this sea even more appreciated.

At Monterosso beach, can you touch it or does the sea get deep immediately?

When you enter the water at Monterosso beach, it doesn’t get deep immediately, but you can touch it for a few meters from the shore. The fundamental of the sea gradually gets higher and deeper until you can’t touch it anymore, but you have to swim.

The beach of Monterosso al Mare is not one of those beaches where you enter the sea, and then afterward you can walk for many meters without swimming, but it is still suitable even for those who cannot swim.

If you stay close to the water’s edge, you shouldn’t have any problems as the sea gets deep gradually. As for the children, it’s better if they stay and play near the shore.

How much does renting an umbrella and 2 sunbeds at Fegina Beach in Monterosso al Mare cost?

The cost of an umbrella and 2 sunbeds in August is about 38 euros. This is the verified price in one of the bathing establishments at Fegina Beach in Monterosso al Mare in August 2023.

How to get to Monterosso al Mare beach?

Given the big parking problem we have during the high season here in Monterosso al Mare I can tell you that the train station is located right in front of the beach. Then you arrive by train in Monterosso al Mare and you are immediately on the beach.

Water temperature Monterosso al Mare: what is the sea water temperature?

In Italy, we use to swim in the sea only in the period between June and the first half of September. Sometimes, this period can be extended if the weather is particularly warm. Summer is the best period to swim in the water because the sea has a good temperature. The sea in Italy is never warm like it is sometimes the ocean in Miami, but it is the Mediterranean sea and in summer, it is very pleasing to swim in it for its good temperatures.

To better understand the customs and use of the Italians I can tell you that in the summertime most Italians dedicate at least a weekend to a beach and sea travel destination because in this way they can swim in the sea.

Also Monterosso al Mare every year in summer guests a large number of people who come here to swim in the water. Fegina Beach in Monterosso al Mare is a very famous and appreciated beach.

Between May and September is covered by sunbeds and umbrellas to be rented by everyone who loves to come here and relax under the sun and enjoy this water.

The beach is empty in other periods of the year; sometimes you can see someone brave swimming in the sea. Still, usually, it is not Italian, maybe someone from the north because the water temperature is cool or even cold and not suitable for swimming. Between the autumn and the middle of the spring, it is better to visit the Cinque Terre than to swim.

If you like seawater, I suggest a boat tour between the Cinque Terre. In this way you’ll stay on the water but not in.

Monterosso al Mare in the various seasons

Monterosso al Mare is an excellent place to visit and experience at different times of the year. Let’s go and see together what Monterosso al Mare is like in some periods of the year.

Monterosso al Mare summer

Monterosso al Mare is the best of the 5 Terre to visit in summer. In fact, Monterosso al Mare has one of the largest and longest beaches in the 5 Terre and I dare say also the best beach in the 5 Terre.

Here in Monterosso al Mare the beach is very popular in the summer and many people come right here to Monterosso to enjoy the sea and swim. Some like to get up early and come to the beach around 8 in the morning when the beach is still almost deserted. Others stay late, sometimes even into the evening. In fact, we saw people calmly bathing in August even in the evening.

Monterosso al Mare is not just beaches but also good food and places to visit. Monterosso al Mare in summer suits those who love the sea but don’t want to live on the beach. In Monterosso al Mare during the summer you can enjoy the sea but also have the pleasure of visiting unique places, doing outdoor activities, and enjoying good food in excellent restaurants.

If you plan to go to Monterosso al Mare in the summer, however, you must choose the right month or organize yourself so that your experience on the beach is positive even during the busiest periods.

Video Monterosso al Mare in summer

Here is a series of short videos of Monterosso al Mare in summer during the central week of August:

Monterosso al Mare in August

If you go to Monterosso al Mare in August you can enjoy the long days in terms of light. This way in the morning you can go to the beach and spend some beautiful days at the seaside and in the evening, when it is no longer too hot you can explore Monterosso al Mare or you can go and visit some other location in the 5 Terre.

During the summer period, which runs approximately from the end of May to mid-September, the beaches of Monterosso al Mare are equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds that can be rented. In other periods of the year, however, the beach is accessible but is completely free and is not equipped.

During the summer, on Fegina beach you will also find some beach bars where you can buy a drink or get something to eat.

What are the activities to do at Fegina beach in Monterosso in the summer? At the Monterosso al Mare beach, in addition to relaxing under the umbrella and swimming, many people love to be lulled by the waves on the mattress, practice sports such as canoeing or the more classic pedal boat ride.

Some play ball, those who chat happily in the sea and those who love walking on the shore.

If, on the other hand, you want to take one of the paths that connect the various towns of the 5 Terre, I recommend that you leave early in the morning. Towards mid-morning temperatures generally rise and the heat of August days is not ideal conditions for long walks.

For many Italians, August is traditionally the month of seaside holidays par excellence. We therefore want to pay particular attention to what Fegina beach is like in August.

Fegina beach in August

Seen that the beach of Fegina

1. it is so beautiful and appreciated,
2. is located in one of the villages of the Cinque Terre which are in themselves very visited,
3. it is also located right in front of the railway station, therefore easily accessible by train

at certain times of the year, it gets very crowded. This is especially true during mid-August when it can turn from heaven to hell if you don’t have your well-positioned, rented sunbed and umbrella.

We personally tried to spend the week of August right here in Monterosso al Mare, and we had a good time because we arrived quite early in the morning when there weren’t many people, and we had our rented sunbed and umbrella.

I could observe what was happening on the beach and note it for a few days. Here are my observations and impressions.

Does Fegina beach offer services in August?

Fegina Beach, in the summer, is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. There are several beach establishments where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas. However, the number of sunbeds and umbrellas is insufficient to satisfy the great demand during the central week of August.

It is better to arrive at the beach around 9 in the morning to ensure a place under the umbrella. Before occupying the umbrella, you must ask the lifeguard or the attendant so that you can be assigned an available place.

In fact, in mid-August, just after midday, no more umbrellas were already available to rent.

Clarity of the sea in August

Saturday 12th August 2023 – The seawater that washes Fegina beach is quite clear. Of course, it is not comparable to the seawater of Sardinia which invites you to enter, and you can’t help but enter the water and swim.

However, the sea that bathes Monterosso al Mare is a good compromise for those who want a sea in which to swim and beautiful places to visit.

During my walk I notice that the sea water becomes clearer as I get closer to the large rock of Monterosso. I started from the part of the beach closest to the Fegina Parking.

It doesn’t surprise me that on Fegina beach there is an area with clearer water: on several beaches I happened to see clearer spots than others. I’m glad I didn’t stay in one place but explored the beach because in this way I found my favorite spot for swimming. You probably also have a favorite spot on every beach.

13 August 2023 – On the morning of 13 August 2023 the Fegina beach is more beautiful than the previous day. In fact, on the beach near the Fegina Parking, even the sea water is more transparent. Perhaps also because the sea this morning is calmer than yesterday afternoon.

You can, therefore, see the water’s transparency even on this side of the beach even if it is clearly not comparable to other places in Sardinia, Puglia or other renowned places with such a clear sea that you can’t help but dive in.

However, I confirm the fact that swimming here in Monterosso al Mare is pleasant.

Sensations walking along the beach

Walking on the shoreline along Fegina beach we feel the pebbles mixing with the sand under our feet.

The sensation we feel is like a massage under our feet, although I personally prefer walking on softer sand.

Monterosso al Mare in Autumn

Autumn is a great month to visit Monterosso al Mare. In autumn here in Monterosso al Mare, the temperatures are often mild. They are ideal for visiting these beautiful places. It’s not too hot that you can’t walk under the sun during the hottest hours of the day and not too cold that you can’t enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature.

It is no longer the time to swim in the sea even if, on some particularly sunny days, some brave people cannot resist the temptation and dive into these beautiful waters.

Furthermore, in autumn Monterosso al Mare is not as crowded as in summer, and finding parking at Fegina Parking is not an impossible task. The beach is no longer crowded and seems even longer and more spacious thanks to the fact that the umbrellas and sunbeds of the bathing establishments no longer cover it.

Autumn is an excellent month for me if you want to enjoy the beauty of the 5 Terre fully. From Monterosso al Mare you can take the boat that takes you to Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Before taking the boat, you can also take a nice regenerating walk on Fegina beach.

Fegina beach in autumn

Here is the video of Fegina Beach in autumn, when summer vacationers and tourists have now left the beach, all the rows of colored umbrellas that covered the beach have been removed. In their place, we have a place of peace and tranquility where you can stroll and relax.

Parking

The most used car park in Monterosso al Mare is the Fegina car park which is located right near the Fegina beach. So let’s go and see together some information about this car park.

Fegina Parking Information

The Fegina Parking car park is located directly on the sea, is the car park closest to the beaches, and has more parking spaces.

Is disabled parking also available in the Fegina parking lot?

Disabled spaces are also available in the Fegina car park. To access disabled spaces, you still need to get a ticket to enter the car park. In the car park, a person in charge stays at the car park from 9 in the morning to 7 in the evening. These are the times you could find the parking attendant in the summer, in August 2023.

To be able to exit the car park for free thanks to the disabled card, you need to go to this person and show him the card.

Are there electric charging stations in the Fegina Parking lot to recharge the electric car?

At the moment at least until August 2023, there are no charging stations for electric cars in the Fegina Parking car park.

What are the prices of Fegina parking?

The prices of the Fegina parking in Monterosso al Mare verified in August 2023 are as follows:

Winter rate

The winter rate of Fegina Parking in Monterosso is as follows:

• 25 euros per day for the first 2 consecutive days.
• From the 3rd to the 7th day 8 euros per day.
• From the 8th day onwards 4 euros per day.

However, if you only stay for a few hours in Monterosso al Mare, I can tell you that the hourly rate is 2.5 euros per hour.

Summer rate

The summer rate of Fegina Parking in Monterosso is as follows:

• 2.5 euros per hour.
• The daily rate is 25 euros per day for the first 2 consecutive days.
• From the 3rd day to the 7th day, 10 euros per day.
• From the 8th day onwards, it is 5 euros per day.

Top 10 Things to do in Monterosso Cinque Terre

Here are the main attractions and things to do in Monterosso Cinque Terre.

1. Monterosso beaches
2. Via Fegina
3. Historic Center Monterosso al Mare and Church of S. Giovanni il Battista
4. Statue of the Giant
5. Punta Corone
6. Statue of Saint Francis of Assisi
7. Villa of Eugenio Montale
8. Aurora Tower
9. Capuchin Convent
10. Cemetery (Orbetenga Origin Castle)

Monterosso beaches

Monterosso al Mare is one of the towns in the Cinque Terre directly on the sea and has beautiful beaches, probably the best of all. For this reason, we can only put the beaches of Monterosso among the things to see.

Via Fegina

Via Fegina is the pedestrian street that runs along the sea. The walk along Via Fegina is a classic here in Monterosso al Mare and it is a vivacious and popular area. Along this walk, you will find several bars, restaurants, hotels where you can have lunch and dinner.

Those in Monterosso al Mare walk along this street during the day to get to the beach, to go to buy what they need, to go to the train station, to go to their hotel and to go to the restaurant. In the evening after dinner, the people enjoy their relaxing “Italian passeggiata” tasting a delicious ice cream, listening to the music if there is any street artist, or simply enjoying the place.

Furthermore, a characteristic of Via Fegina is that it is mostly slightly elevated compared to the beach, allowing you to have beautiful views of the beach and the sea.

Along this street, we also find some verses by Eugenio Montale sculpted on the ground, an important literary figure who lived here and drew much inspiration from these beautiful places. It is therefore worth taking a few moments to read these magnificent verses as you walk and savor a slightly more cultural moment. The verses are in Italian, but the translation is more or less the following.

The journey ends at this beach
that tempt the assiduous and slow flows.
It reveals nothing but lazy smokes
the marina that weaves with locks
the soft breaths: and it is rare for it to appear
in the silent calm
among the islands of migratory air
the Corsica dorsuta or the Capraia.

You ask if everything vanishes like this
in this little fog of memories;
whether in the torturous hour or in the sigh
every destiny is fulfilled at the juncture.
I would like to tell you that no, that he is approaching you
the hour you will pass beyond time;
perhaps only those who want it are infinite,
and you will be able to do this, who knows, not me.
I think that for most it is not salvation,
but someone subverts every plan,
pass the gap, whoever wanted finds himself.
Before I give in, I would like to point you out
this escape route
labile as in the troubled fields
of the sea foam or wrinkle.

Eugenio Montale – Casa sul mare (house by the sea) From Ossi di seppia (Torino, Piero Gobetti Editore 1925

Here in Monterosso al Mare, there is also the house that was his home. If you want to know something more about Eugenio Montale, go to the subtitle dedicated to “Eugenio Montale’s Villa”.

Historic Center Monterosso al Mare and Church of S. Giovanni il Battista

Monterosso al Mare is a town with beaches and beautiful landscapes, but it also has a long history behind it. Let’s not forget that the origins of Monterosso al Mare date back to the era of the expansion of Republican Rome and therefore certainly ancient.

It is therefore not surprising that Monterosso has a very characteristic historic center with broader and narrower streets waiting to be discovered.

It is lovely to walk through the streets of the historic center of Monterosso and discover unique and characteristic corners, discover with your eyes but also with your sense of smell and taste since in the historic center there are many restaurants and shops where you can find the local specialties.

Here is the location of the historic center of Monterosso al Mare: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWw7wbjH5SxtVpcaA.

Right among the streets of the center you will also find a building that attracts your attention both for its characteristics and its position: the Church of St. John the Baptist.

The church of San Giovanni Battista was built between 1244 and 1307. This church immediately attracts our attention as it is not a church like many others that we find in any part of Italy but it is an example of a typical church Ligurian Gothic style. The classic facade appears in alternating light and dark stripes, more precisely in stripes of white marble and dark green serpentine. The central rose window is perforated in white marble.

Where is the Church of St. John the Baptist located? The church is located in Via Roma 12 in Monterosso al Mare. Here is the location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MLfp5pf2usRBQkVBA.

Statue of the Giant

What is the statue on the beach in Cinque Terre in the town of Monterosso al Mare? The Statue of the Giant is a huge colossus or stone statue that directly overlooks the outermost part of Fegina Beach, the one furthest towards Levanto.

What is the statue on the beach at Monterosso? The statue represents Neptune, the god of the sea.

The sculpture was created in 1910 in reinforced concrete and iron, is 14 meters high and weighs 1700 quintals. Unfortunately, the statue was partially damaged during the Second World War and subsequently in 1966 a strong sea storm weakened the Great Giant even further.

The statue has been partially restored but some parts are still missing today.

The Statue of the Giant is located very close to the pedestrian area in fact it is located on the far right of Monterosso al Mare if you are facing the beach. It is something very simple to see as you can reach the observation point even while taking a walk along the seafront.

In fact, when you walk along Via Fegina at a certain point, you can turn to go where there are benches and the walkway which directly overlooks the bathing establishments and the Statue of the Giant.

You can then sit on one of these benches to observe the sea and at the same time also the Statue of the Giant in total relaxation.

Where are these benches and this walkway located? Here is the point from Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NzHcs1m2aFuxnLyE8.

If, however, you don’t have the desire and time to go near the Statue of the Giant to be able to see it well up close and you are at Fegina beach, in the longest part, you can still glimpse the Giant even if a little further away. In this case, if you are facing the sea, turning your head to the right, you can see the Statue of the Giant in the distance.

Moreover, you may have a better effect from a distance because you don’t even notice the missing parts ;).

Punta Corone

Punta Corone is a magnificent vantage point from which you can see both Monterosso and Vernazza in the distance. Punta Corone is located near the path that leads to Vernazza. It remains slightly outside the center of Monterosso as you have to take a part of the path to get there. What I particularly like about the route to get to Punta Corone is that the path is quite short, extremely panoramic and does not require a lot of effort to follow.

Like any mountain path, you must travel it using the right footwear. In fact, sneakers are recommended. There is even a sign on the path that says that open-toed or smooth-soled shoes are prohibited.

If you walk this path in summer I advise you not to do it during the hottest hours of the day so that you can enjoy the view to the fullest without the thought of having to shelter from the sun.

To be able to go to Punta Corone you must start from the historic center of Monterosso a Mare, in front of the Tragagià beach and head towards the Hotel Porto Roca. During the route you will be able to see, admire and better appreciate the beauty of the historic center of Monterosso al Mare with its tower and the train that passes on the elevated passage. It looks like a postcard country, a country built to be a model to be admired.

Along the path to Punta Corone you also skirt and pass over the cliff. Below you is a wonderful sea that you can’t help but stop to look at.

Once you arrive at Punta Corone you find yourself in a small garden and square directly overlooking the sea and Monterosso. An amphitheater-shaped staircase also faces the sea and is the ideal place to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Here is our experience going to Punta Corone on August 14, 2023.

At 6.05pm we leave from the Monterosso al Mare train station to reach Punta Corone. It’s August 14, 2023, at 6.05pm it’s still 30 degrees centigrade and so we take the opportunity to take this beautiful walk not in the middle of the afternoon but more towards the evening.

This is certainly the ideal time as it is not too hot, you can still see the sea clearly, the transparency of the water and the people are still on the beach, there is still movement. So we can enjoy the show and the view to the fullest.

After having walked along the seafront of Via Fegina we pass under the tunnel and head towards the historic part of Monterosso al Mare.

We pass through Piazza Tina Anselmi and walk along the beach in the old part of Monterosso al Mare.

We then pass next to the Il Casello restaurant and continue straight on, taking the pedestrian street overlooking the sea that leads to Vernazza and the Hotel Porto Roca.

The pedestrian street is made of concrete and the first stretch is uphill. At the Hotel Porto Roca we go down the stairs on the right and take the path to Vernazza. You shouldn’t have any problems finding it as it is also signposted and there is a sign for Vernazza.

From this path we have a priceless view of the oldest part of Monterosso al Mare, with its characteristic clock tower that slowly marks time in the town, with its houses and monuments at the foot of the mountain.

If you continue straight on, at a certain point you will find yourself at a crossroads, but don’t worry because it is easy to understand where you need to go. The 2 directions are well signposted with the relevant signs and distances: on one side Vernazza at 1.5 km and on the other Punta Corone at 500 meters.

However, be careful that the Sentiero Azzurro to Vernazza requires a fee.

At 6.35pm we arrive at Punta Corone. From here we enjoy a magnificent view of the oldest part of Monterosso al Mare. Every now and then we also observe the train that passes right between the historic center and the beach. The sight of the passing train does not disturb the panorama because it is an element that characterizes these places. The passing of the train is that extra feature that completes the picture.

Minividero where you see the train pass in Monterosso al Mare: https://youtube.com/shorts/NJRLRFRq5VY.

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It took us about 30 minutes to get here to Punta Corone, but it must be said that we also went quite slowly as we stopped several times to take photos. It is an easily practicable path, not excessively demanding both in terms of route and time.

However, like any mountain path, you must do it using the right footwear. In fact, sneakers are recommended. There is even a sign on the path that says that open-toed or smooth-soled shoes are prohibited.

At Punta Corone there is also a staircase in the shape of a small arena or amphitheater with steps on which you can sit and admire Monterosso al Mare in peace. Great place to relax enjoy the view and rest before returning to town.

Still here in Punta Corone but on the opposite side of the small amphitheater you can see Vernazza in the distance.

Aurora Tower

Torre Aurora is now a private building but was once a lookout point and also a defensive outpost.

Torre Aurora has a story like in the films, which makes you dream of a past and adventurous life as it was built around the year 1000 to face pirate attacks.

Torre Aurora not only had the defensive task against pirate attacks but it also subsequently maintained its defensive function when in the second half of the 1200s, it was annexed to the properties of the Republic of Genoa. At this point, it was fortified to resist the incursions of the barbarians and Pisans.

Torre Aurora stands out on a rocky spur overlooking the sea that divides Fegina beach from Tragagià beach. You can admire it from the beaches, from the pedestrian street that passes behind the Tower, from the sea but one of the best ways to see and admire it is from the square where the Statue of San Francesco is.

Inside the Aurora Tower there is also a cocktail bar and restaurant. The environment of this place is very beautiful with the arches directly overlooking the sea. The view is magnificent. If you want to see Torre Aurora even a little from the inside by going to this cocktail bar and restaurant, however, I recommend not a dinner but rather an aperitif.

The upper floors of Torre Aurora are used as a private residence and, therefore, cannot be visited.

Panoramic Square Statue of Saint Francis

The square where there is the Statue of San Francesco is a very beautiful panoramic point that can be reached with a little effort. From here you can see Torre Aurora very well, Tragagia beach, which is the one located in front of the historic center of Monterosso al Mare and Fegina beach is a little further away.

How to get to the Piazzale della Statue San Francesco?

You can get to the panoramic point of the statue of San Francesco from three points.

In fact, you can go up both from the side of the historic center of Monterosso al Mare and the beach and seafront side of Via Fegina from 2 routes.

If you go up from the historic center of Monterosso al Mare, take the staircase that goes towards the Tower, more precisely the Salita dei Cappuccini and follow the signs for the monastery.

Here are the coordinates of the point where you have to take the steps to go up: 44.146061,9.654889.
If you prefer, here is the link for the location in Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WGy7SwmoQDxeKBDy8.

If instead, you travel along Via Fegina, therefore the seafront of Monterosso al Mare, in the direction that goes from the train station to the tunnel that takes you to the historic center, just before the tunnel, go right towards the tower. Continue straight until you find the staircase with the sign for the convent and in the corner, you also see an iron cross. You have to go up this staircase.

Whether you come from the historic center of Monterosso al Mare or from the opposite side of the tunnel, you will still find yourself in the same point where there are signs for the convent, the iron cross and therefore the start of the staircase.

Another way and another road to get to the Piazzale della Statue of San Francesco is the following.

At Lapo’s restaurant

Or at the following point on Google Maps: https://g.co/kgs/7Eagnd.

Also, on the Monterosso al Mare seafront in Via Fegina there is a slightly uphill street, Via Bastioni. At the end of this street on the right begins a very panoramic climb that takes you to the statue of San Francesco.

Things to do near Monterosso al Mare Italy

Places in the Cinque Terre not to be missed if you stay in Monterosso al Mare:

• Vernazza
• Manarola

Ila at work 😉 …

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