Is Monterosso a good base for Cinque Terre?

Monterosso al Mare is the best place to stay in Cinque Terr for the first time. It is the largest of the villages in Cinque Terre. You'll find many hospitality venues, a medieval old town, and the sandy Monterosso al Mare Beach.



Monterosso al Mare is widely considered the most practical and comfortable base for exploring the Cinque Terre. As the largest of the five villages, it is the only one with a long, sandy beach and a wide range of full-service hotels rather than just small guesthouses. It is the flattest village, making it "better" for families with strollers, travelers with heavy luggage, or those with limited mobility who want to avoid the steep stairs common in Manarola or Riomaggiore. Monterosso is split into a "New Town" (Fegina), which houses the train station and modern amenities, and a charming "Old Town" filled with narrow alleys and restaurants. While it lacks the dramatic "cliff-hanging" verticality of the other four towns, its logistical ease, superior dining options, and nightlife make it the most convenient "home base" for those who want a traditional seaside resort experience.

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The easiest village to reach by car is actually Monterosso, which also has the cheapest parking. Manarola and Riomaggiore do have parking lots above their towns, but you will need to walk from there to the center. Corniglia and Vernazza are more difficult to reach by car, due to narrow roads and limited parking space.

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You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages.

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Corniglia is the smallest and quietest of the Cinque Terre villages. It is located 100 meters above sea level, on top of a small promontory. Houses are a bit different here, smaller and wider, similar to the houses of the villages inland.

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If you want a much easier hike, definitely hike from Vernazza to Monterosso (and not vice versa). The trail is much easier and Monterosso has the best beach of all five villages — so you can relax on the beach after your hike! Be sure to bring water and snacks on your hike!

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Overtourism in a fragile area Fabrizia Pecunia, the mayor of Riomaggiore, came up with the new plan for the 3,215- foot-long path to combat overtourism. Last year, about three million tourists visited Cinque Terre, a fragile national park. In contrast, there are fewer than 4,000 residents left in the area.

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Monterosso has the largest beach, but as long as you can get in the water off the rocks, you can swim anywhere. Don't expect much.

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The biggest part of the beach is private and of course you have to pay for the services, but there are some free public beaches as well: in front of the railway station, under the statue of the Giant and at the end of the beach towards Vernazza, near the historical center.

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The accommodations are cheaper in La Spezia than if you were to stay in Cinque Terre, and the roads are a lot easier to navigate with luggage! La Spezia makes a great home base for your northern Italy / Cinque Terre adventures!

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