Our most recommended things to do in Monterosso al Mare

La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Boat

1. La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Boat

Experience the Cinque Terre coast by boat and take in gorgeous views of vineyards terraces and charming buildings from the sea. Make time to stop at Riomaggiore or Portovenere, then Monterosso, and Vernazza along the way. Start at La Spezia's harbor and sail through the Gulf of the Poets . Sail to the first stop: Riomaggiore or Portovenere ( depends on tour availability ) and marvel the beauty of the Village. In Monterosso al Mare, explore the medieval historic center and marvel at the parish church dedicated to St. John, the Baptist. Then continue the sailing to Vernazza, the pearl of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza presents itself to visitors as the prow of a ship: most of the village is in fact built on a small promontory that ends at the sea with an imposing fortification system. At the end of the tour, enjoy free time and take the chance to taste the local wine and food, or go for a swim in the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean before returning to La Spezia.

From Florence: Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre

2. From Florence: Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre

Visit one of Italy's most enchanting destinations, Cinque Terre, on a day trip by coach, train, and boat. Each of these unforgettable little cities will take your breath away with their gravity-defying dance above the azure waters. This day trip will give you an unforgettable and fun introduction to this coastal gem. Begin your tour of these UNESCO sites at daybreak with your arrival in La Spezia. Board a train to Riomaggiore, a quaint medieval town dating to the 13th century. Marvel at the winding streets of this village and its charming houses leaning one against the other. Next, head over to Manarola to enjoy panoramic views. Continue on to Monterosso, an ancient fishing village considered the "pearl of the Cinque Terre." Finally, take a boat across to Vernazza, whose natural port has kept it safe from invaders for centuries.

Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hike

3. Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hike

Get a taste of 'la dolce vita' on this jam-packed tour to the Cinque Terre, a collection of quintessential Italian towns dotted along the coast of Tuscany. After meeting your guide in central Florence, listen to an insightful introduction about the Cinque Terre on the 2-hour bus journey to La Spezia. After a quick bathroom break, board the first train of the day. Arrive in Manarola, the first of the Cinque Terre villages you will visit. Here you will join a small guided walk through the vines, and then enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Next, take the train to Corniglia. Climb the steps to reach the center of the quaint village and wander around. Then, choose to either go on a guided hike to Vernazza, or if you prefer to take it easy, follow your guide and take a train instead. Once in Vernazza, sit at one of the local cafés, or take a dip in the sea. Next, board a train to Monterosso, the village renowned for its beautiful beaches and artisan shops. If the weather allows it, you will then board a boat to navigate along the coast of the Cinque Terre. Arrive in Riomaggiore, an ancient fishing village and the most southern of the 5 villages. After exploring this last village, board the train back to La Spezia and then take the coach back to Florence.

From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Train with Limoncino

4. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Train with Limoncino

Once you arrive at the port of La Spezia, meet your tour guide at the cruise terminal. Take a 20-minute walk to arrive at the train station from where you will begin your adventure. On the walk, you will discover the beautiful city center of La Spezia. Trains are undoubtedly the ideal means of transportation to explore the area, in just 15 minutes, passing through the sheer heights of the Ligurian Sea, you will reach Vernazza, one of the most colorful villages in the area. Here you can enjoy some free time in this picturesque village, characterized by pastel-colored houses with beautiful views of crystal clear waters. The second stop will be Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages, which also owns a stunning beach characterized by fine white sand and a clear and transparent sea. Here you will have a surprise reserved for you, a stop to taste the delicious Limoncino in a traditional shop. This exquisite liqueur is ideal to toast for the wonderful day that you are spending, immersed in the nature, colors, and flavors of this fascinating and unique land. After having some free time in Monterosso, take the train to Riomaggiore, the last stop before coming back to La Spezia. This small village, like the other four, offers breathtaking views of the coast, as well as glimpses of the daily lives of the fishermen with their traditional boats that you will see tied to the port. Also, if you are staying at La Spezia, choose the best starting point for you: the cruise port or the train station.

From Monterosso: Cinque Terre Kayak Tour

5. From Monterosso: Cinque Terre Kayak Tour

Explore the charming villages of Cinque Terre with this tour along the Italian Riviera coastline. The tour will start on the beach of Monterosso towards Vernazza paddling alongside an expert guide, you will pass hidden coves, rugged cliffs and the bright, pastel hues of the five villages.  Coasting the amazing cliffs of this area, you will reach the beach of Guvano and then Corniglia. Pause to stretch out on the beach or cool off with a swim before continuing on your journey. An exclusive experience to visit the Cinque Terre National Park off the beaten track during the less crowded seasons. The surprising mild temperatures between autumn and spring and the incredible variety of colors are the key to a unique experience: visit the Cinque Terre from a different perspective. A lunch break in Vernazza will be the best solution to relax facing the sea and explore this little village.

From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Speedboat Tour

6. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Speedboat Tour

Explore the beautiful cliffs, beaches, and colorful towns of the Cinque Terre on a sailing tour from La Spezia. You will see all five picturesque villages characterized by pastel-colored houses on a 4-hour speedboat tour. Start your tour from Passeggiata Morin in La Spezia and sail along the western coast of the Gulf of Poets. Admire the beautiful landscape of the four villages that make up the Borgata Marinara. Continue sailing towards Portovenere, where you will cross the Le Bocche, a strait between the town of Portovenere and the wild Palmaria Island. See the magnificent Romanesque church of San Pietro, set among the rocks and overlooking the sea. Discover the unspoiled coves of Le Rosse, Monesteroli, and Punta Pineda along the coastline. Grab a chance to dip in the pristine waters of the Cinque Terre Natural Park. Marvel at the beauty of Monterosso al Mare, the last and most vibrant of the five villages. Here you can enjoy local specialties such as focaccia with anchovies or delicious gelato. Pass through the famous muscle farms while returning to La Spezia. 

From Florence: Cinque Terre Villages Full-Day Tour

7. From Florence: Cinque Terre Villages Full-Day Tour

Explore the villages of Cinque Terre on a full-day excursion from Florence, and experience the best aspects of this protected World Heritage Site as you walk along the ancient trails that connect the picturesque villages. Cinque Terre comprises a stretch of rugged, unspoiled coast along the Italian Riviera. Its name derives from the fact that it is a grouping of 5 picturesque fishing villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. It has been well-preserved because of its isolation and continues to be protected by its UNESCO status and its status as an Italian national park. Led by your knowledgeable guide, you’ll walk the spectacular coastline. Visit the village of Manarola and continue with a lovely boat journey (weather permitting) to Monterosso, renowned for its beautiful beach and small craftsmen’s shops, here you will have the option to relax on the golden sands and to enjoy leisure time for a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean. A delicious local Lunch is served in a typical restaurant by the seaside and the hills declining down to the rocky coves. After a short train ride, stop in Vernazza, one of the prettiest village, and spend your free time tasting coffee or drinks in one of the cheerful bars and cafés. Take the train again to Riomaggiore and visit some of its picturesque shops. From Riomaggiore, a train ride concludes the Cinque Terre visit, before returning to Florence by bus. Please note that the order of the visits may change. Sample Menu - Appetizer: Caprese salad - Main Course: “Trofie” with Pesto sauce - Dessert: Dessert of the day

La Spezia: Cinque Terre and Gulf of Poets Full-Day Boat Tour

8. La Spezia: Cinque Terre and Gulf of Poets Full-Day Boat Tour

Spend the day discovering the beauty of Cinque Terre National Park on this boat trip from La Spezia. Explore the Gulf of Poets, and stop to bathe in crystal-clear seas. Taste typical local products and drink local wine. Make your way to La Spezia Port and hop aboard the Vittoria, a 9-meter, typical Genoese gozzo boat with a sundeck. Then, sail along the coast slowly so you can admire the spectacular scenery from the sea. During the full-day cruise, you'll see Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Porto Venere, Byron Cave, Palmaria Island, Tino and Tinetto Islands, Lerici, San Terenzo, and Tellaro. Enjoy plenty of chances to stop and swim in the protected marine area of the Cinque Terre National Park. You'll also be treated to an aperitif of Ligurian focaccia, white wine, and various snacks.

From Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip by Bus

9. From Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip by Bus

Experience an unforgettable adventure to the Cinque Terre 5 from Florence. Discover the charming UNESCO villages of Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore that are suspended between sea and land. Choose to discover these amazing villages with a multilingual guide that will show you around for the full day or have free time to explore on your own. Select the train and ferry option to move from village to village by train and to view the coast from the water. During the day you, have some free time to enjoy these beautifully-colored villages and taste some of the delicious regional dishes as pasta al pesto, olives, focaccia, or wines. If you prefer discovering those villages by yourself you can chose the low cost option that includes only the transfer from Florence and you can make your way to the villages that you prefer on your own.

Cinque Terre & Portovenere: Boat Tour

10. Cinque Terre & Portovenere: Boat Tour

Departure at 10 a.m. from Passeggiata Morin, La Spezia, near the cruise terminal and the ferry embarkation point. The boat (10 metres) and the captain will be there waiting for you. You will sail along the borgate marinare, i.e. the small villages on the coast between La Spezia and Portovenere. You will see Torre Scola, an old military fortress built on a rock in the middle of the sea. We will pass through the archipelago consisting of the three islands, Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, which are still unspoilt places, until we reach the romantic Portovenere. Here you can choose whether to go ashore for a short visit to the town and the famous church of San Pietro, overlooking the sea, or stay on the boat and dive into the turquoise waters between Palmaria Island and the village of Portovenere. Continuing the tour, we will have time to approach the world-famous Grotta Byron, the red rocks and swim in beautiful hidden coves, in the crystal-clear waters of Monesteroli or under the natural waterfall of Canneto. From here we will enter the 5 terre marine protected area. We will sail past the 5 villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso), you will have plenty of time to take your photos, listen to interesting stories and explanations from your captain and take another dip. During this tour there is also the possibility to go ashore and visit the villages of Vernazza or Monterosso. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the dolphins that habitually swim near our shores. The tour will end at 6 p.m. at the place of departure.

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What people are saying about Monterosso al Mare

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 4,268 reviews

Coach from Florence to Le Spezia followed by train between villages and then coach from Le Sepzia back to Florence. Tour leaders were Christian and Ato and driver was Fabio. Because you need to get trains between villages you are on a tight schedule however they try to be a flexible as possible. The Tour leaders were very friendly and knowledgeable. Spend time in Manarola, Corniglia with optional lunch @ 15 euros each of seafood plate and pasta with pesto, potato and green beans. Some then walked to Vernazza, while others took train. Then Monterosso al Mare. It was from here we were to catch a boat back to Riomaggiore however the sea was too rough. So back on the train to Riomaggiore which is one of the most photographed villages in the world. Only downside was the length of the tour and time in each town. Might be better option to drop one of the town and allow more time in the other towns but not sure how they would be able to do this.

What an amazing experience, Addo and his colleague (unfortunately I can’t recall his name) were amazing, literally the best tour guides I’ve had in my life. They were so knowledgeable on everything, there was not a single question they could not answer. They were perfectly in sync the whole time when the group had to move from one location to another. When we used the trains they always knew where everyone was and made sure everyone knew when to get on and off the trains. Their communication were very clear and you knew exactly what needed to happen all the time. 10/10 for them. Would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see Cinque Terre. Truly exceptional.

Ado and Chris were amazing and knowledgeable hosts. My husband and I had never been on an organised tour before and they made it so easy and enjoyable.

packed day, but we were still given free time! our guide Alice was super nice

The best tour I had during my trip! Very well organized.