About
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, on the Ligurian coast in the province of La Spezia, Italy. It is the place to come if you want a sandy beach alongside the rocky coastline the area is known for. The village is also called Monterosso Beach or Old Town Monterosso, depending on where you are looking.
What to see
- Sandy beaches, which set Monterosso apart from its neighbouring villages.
- Medieval towers, remnants of the village's older fabric to explore on foot.
- The Church of San Giovanni Battista, the village's church, well placed for a stop between the beach and the old streets.
Local produce
The village is known for its lemon trees and for anchovies, both of which feature in the local food. Lemons grow across the hillsides and terraces, and anchovies are a long-standing part of the coastal cooking, so they are worth looking out for at the table.
Planning your visit
Monterosso is reached along the Via Fegina, and it suits a relaxed day: a swim or a walk on the sand, an hour wandering the old town, and a meal built around local fish and lemons. Because the Cinque Terre villages are linked by footpaths and trains, Monterosso also works well as a starting or finishing point for a longer walk along the coast. For current contact details, you can call +39 0187 817506.
