Monterosso al Mare between Coast, History and Hiking Trails

Monterosso al Mare combines the coast of the Cinque Terre with historic buildings, scenic paths and a distinctive local food culture. If you are looking for a place for your trip to Italy where coastal landscapes, history and regional traditions come together, the town offers a range of ways to experience them.

Coast and Statue in Fegina

At the end of Spiaggia di Fegina stands the approximately 14-metre-high Statua del Gigante. It depicts Nettuno, the god of the sea, and was created in 1910 by the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi and the engineer Levacher.

On the promontory separating Fegina from the old village of Monterosso, the walls of the citadel and the remains of an old castle with two towers have been preserved. They belong to the former defensive system. Torre Aurora stands on the cliff below the rocky hill. Thus, several historic points of interest lie between the beach area and the old village, helping shape the layout of the town.

Historic Centre and Religious Heritage

The historic centre is home to the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, a Genoese Gothic church. Its interior is divided into three naves and contains works of art depicting the life of San Giovanni Battista. The square bell tower was originally built as a defensive tower. Another religious attraction is the Convento dei Frati minori cappuccini, which was founded by Capuchin friars and serves as a place of prayer, reflection and spirituality.

Above Monterosso lies the Santuario di Soviore at an altitude of around 400 metres. From there, panoramic views extend over the sea and the Ligurian coast. The history of the sanctuary dates back to the 11th century. During the celebrations in honour of S. Giovanni, the patron saint of Monterosso al Mare, the traditional release of lanterns onto the sea is one of the customs handed down through the generations.

Hiking Trails between Peaks, Vineyards and Sea

The landscape around Monterosso offers several different hiking experiences. From Punta Corone, there are views of the old village of Monterosso and San Cristoforo hill. One version of the hike to Monte Vè o Focone leads to the 488-metre-high summit; trail 571 runs along the north-western ridge of Monte Focone to the same summit. This hike also offers a roughly 20-minute detour to the historic ruins of the Eremo di Sant'Antonio del Mesco. The ruin dates back to the 11th century and lies in a dense holm oak forest.

Before Monterosso, trail 592-4 passes through old lemon groves and the terraced vineyards of the Vetua farm. Punta Mesco is a promontory consisting predominantly of sandstone, with clear differences in vegetation between its southern and northern slopes; there is a sea cave on the coast. The landscape therefore ranges from cultivated terraces to coastal sections with geological and botanical differences.

Local Specialties and Festivals

Salted anchovies from Monterosso are a traditional dish of the Cinque Terre. They are prepared according to the old recipe of Monterosso al Mare and processed by hand within two or three days. At the Festa del Limone, visitors can sample and buy products made from lemons. The Festa del Limone also includes stalls where local lemon producers present their products in the streets of the historic centre. The Festa dei Limoni is celebrated as an expression of the tradition and identity of the Monterosso al Mare community and is announced again for the following year.

Monterosso as a Starting Point

Numerous Intercity trains stop at Monterosso station. Regional trains from La Spezia connect all five villages of the Cinque Terre. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus your stay more on the coast and old village, historic sites, regional cuisine or the hiking trails described above.

Other places in the same area: Varese Ligure, Pegui, L'ago, Calice Al Cornoviglio, Vignana, Carrodano, Le Grazie, Ortonovo.

For the higher-level travel overview: La Spezia.