Explore Monterosso al Mare Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the Cinque Terre towns and the only one with more of a typical seafront frontage, including a narrow promenade and long beach.

Monterosso al Mare is the largest and most western of the five villages that make up Italy's iconic Cinque Terre. Unlike its smaller, steeper neighbors, Monterosso is divided into two distinct parts—the historic old town and the newer Fegina district—connected by a short pedestrian tunnel. Because it sits on flatter terrain, it is the only village with a long, sandy beach and a wide promenade, making it a "Gold Standard" choice for families or those with mobility concerns. In 2026, it remains the primary hub for larger hotels and a wider variety of restaurants, whereas the other villages (Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) are much more vertically oriented and compact. A grounded peer tip: because it has the most extensive infrastructure, Monterosso is the best place to base yourself if you want to avoid the "vertical hike" required to reach accommodation in the other towns, though it still retains the classic pastel-colored charm and lemon groves the region is famous for.