Vernazza and the hike to Monterosso al Mare

Vernazza is a beautiful town in the Cinque Terre.  It can get quite busy during the day but if you come in the morning or later in the day you'll find less people typically.  A lot of folks come during the day either by train or by boat.  I went there a couple times during my trip in the spring of 2023.  Once I went late in the afternoon, around 4 pm, to do the hike from there to Monterosso al Mare (more on that below).  The other time I came back in the morning to visit the helpful Poste Italiane office and then I grabbed a good breakfast as well at Il Pirata delle 5 Terre.

Vernazza is a quick train trip from the other Cinque Terre towns like Monterosso, and not too far from other nearby towns like Levanto.  My choice for a home base was Monterosso al Mare.

The town has nice sites like: the quaint Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, the small beach and marina area, the Doria tower / castle, as well as exploring shops and restaurants.  I would imagine that if one stayed in a rental or hotel here that you might get a better sense of its charms in the morning or evening when it's less busy.

Amazing views can be had if you're willing to tackle some stairs and explore the little side streets.  Views like this one below for example!

The hike from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare is challenging but stunning views are waiting for those who persevere the rocky trail.  Of course it's good to do it when it's not too hot.  It's a memorable hike but best to be prepared and only go when it's dry as there's lots of rocks.  Late in the day in the spring you might not need a park pass.  I did not need one in 2023 late in the day in springtime.  No flip flops are allowed and it's about 2 hours long.

vineyards near Monterosso al Mare

The hike was quite fun for me even though it was challenging.  I just made sure I was careful but also enjoyed moments along the way to take some digital and film photos.  The postal office in Vernazza helped me mail back my exposed film to the USA by the way.

When you reach the end you might just opt to have some fresh focaccia at one of the best places around - Il Frantoio.  I hope that you enjoyed this short overview of Vernazza and one of the hikes available in that area.

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Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso al Mare is one of the Cinque Terre and a worthy home base for exploring the area. It has a lot to offer: beaches, hiking, great restaurants, a nice old town, and amazing views. You can blast through on a day trip but if you spend more time you will have a lot to discover, and it might just grow on you. It's rather easy to travel nearby by boat, train, or your own two feet.

The beaches at Monterosso are the best in the Cinque Terre. They offer wide stretches of sand that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, water sports, or enjoying food and beverage by the sea. It is also known for its exquisite food. You can find a number of restaurants that serve traditional Ligurian cuisine. Take your pick from dishes such as pasta with pesto, focaccia, and seafood linguine.

lemons, vines and olive trees greet you as you walk 

care for a hike?

Hiking is an epic way to explore the area. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is challenging but rewards the diligent with sublime views. It's best to do that hike early or later in the day to avoid the crowds. Later in the day in the spring one does not even need a trail pass.

The trails take you through vineyards, olive groves, and forests, and they offer spectacular views of the villages, coast, and the sea. Practical considerations include: only hike when dry, make sure you are fit enough, take plenty of water and sunscreen, proper footwear (no flip flops), a small first aid kit, and be sure to use the restroom before you leave the village. If you take your time and are careful you will create some wonderful memories!

it only takes minutes to find a marvelous view

my reflections

Personally, I found Monterosso al Mare an excellent home base for exploring Liguria and even some train trips into Tuscany as well. I might be a little biased after spending about three weeks there, in the spring of 2023, but it was my favorite out of the Cinque Terre. All five villages are unique and have their own charms for sure though.

Some of the highlights in Monterosso for me were (in no particular order):

• Hikes that were not the well traveled hikes (Punta Mesco, valley of lemons, other less traveled areas, random trail with Termine sign)
• Food and coffee (focaccia, pasta, gelato, pizza, pastries, cappuccino, espresso macchiato, and more) 
• Wine tasting (Buranco has a lovely location and at least for me as a non-expert it was a great tasting with appetizers) 
• Swimming (swimming in spring is a bit cold, but fun and refreshing) 
• Sunrises and sunsets
• People, dogs, and cats that I interacted with (solo travel can at times be lonely) 
• Lots of small details (that I would not normally see in the Seattle area)

If you enjoyed this please support my work - https://bmc.link/havecarryonwilltravel . Thank you.

If you'd like more inspiration for your own travels then please check out my YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@havecarryonwilltravel or Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/havecarryonwilltravel/ .

P.S. This blog uses some affiliate links so that I can keep bringing you great independent content.

 

  John 3:16 ✝

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