Holiday apartment in Monterosso al Mare: coast, culture and hiking trails

Between coast, history and trails

Monterosso al Mare combines a striking coastal setting with historic sites and a variety of hiking destinations. One prominent landmark is the Statua del Gigante: it depicts Nettuno, the god of the sea, is approximately 14 metres high and is located at the end of Spiaggia di Fegina. The statue was created in 1910 by the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi and the engineer Levacher. When choosing a holiday apartment in Monterosso al Mare, you can combine different holiday preferences – from time by the sea to cultural and natural experiences.

Art and history in the town

The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, a Genoese Gothic church, is located in the historic centre. 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. On the headland separating Fegina from the old village, the walls of the citadel and the remains of an old castle with two towers have also been preserved as parts of the defensive system. Torre Aurora stands on the cliff below the rocky hill between the two parts of the town.

Sacred sites and living traditions

The Santuario di Soviore lies at an altitude of around 400 metres and offers panoramic views of the sea and the Ligurian coast. Its history dates back to the 11th century. The Eremo di Sant'Antonio del Mesco also dates back to the 11th century; today it is a ruin in a dense holm oak forest. One variation of the hike to Monte Vè o Focone offers a detour there lasting around 20 minutes. The Convento dei Frati minori cappuccini was founded by Capuchin monks and serves as a place of prayer, reflection and spirituality. The celebrations in honour of S. Giovanni, the patron saint of Monterosso al Mare, include the traditional placing of lanterns on the sea.

A hiking landscape between ridges, vineyards and sea

From Punta Corone, you can enjoy a view of the old village of Monterosso and San Cristoforo Hill. One variation 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 this summit. Before Monterosso, trail 592-4 passes through old lemon groves and the terraced vineyards of the Vetua agricultural estate. Punta Mesco is a headland consisting predominantly of sandstone, with marked differences in vegetation between its southern and northern slopes. There is a sea cave on the coast there. These varied landscapes can help you weigh up whether to choose a more culture-focused stay or days with a greater focus on nature and hiking when selecting your holiday apartment.

The taste of the Cinque Terre

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

A destination with many possible holiday focuses

Numerous Intercity trains stop at Monterosso station. Regional trains from La Spezia connect all five villages of the Cinque Terre. When choosing your location, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus on the coast, historical discoveries, regional specialities or hiking. To compare other destinations, you can also explore Piana Battolla, Framura, Tirolo, L'ago, Castello, Tavarone, Cembrano and Vignana.

For the higher-level travel overview: La Spezia.