Monterosso has more beds than any other Cinque Terre village and is the only one with a real choice of hotels, alongside guesthouses, B&Bs and apartments. It is also the most practical base: the biggest beach on this coast, a station with trains to the other villages, and two car parks. The real decision is the area: Fegina, the newer part with the station and the seafront, or the old town, with its lanes and small squares.
In short: if you arrive by train with heavy luggage or want to spend your days on the beach, pick Fegina. If you want village atmosphere and evenings on foot between restaurants, pick the old town and expect some stairs. If you are driving, look at the hillside places with parking. Everything else about the village is in our guide to Monterosso al Mare.
Monterosso’s areas: which one to choose
Monterosso is split in two by the headland of the Torre Aurora. Fegina lies to the west, the old town to the east. A seafront promenade links them through a short tunnel under the headland: about ten minutes on the flat.
| Area | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fegina | Station and beach on your doorstep, few stairs, parking nearby | Less character, quieter in the evening | Train travellers with luggage, families, beach lovers |
| Old town | Lanes, squares, restaurants, village life | Old buildings often without lifts, restricted traffic zone | Couples, longer stays, people happy to walk |
| Hillside | Quiet, views, often parking | Uphill, you need a car or a shuttle | Drivers, anyone looking for calm |
Fegina: easy for trains and the beach
Fegina is the newer part of Monterosso, stretched along the largest beach in the Cinque Terre. The station, the seafront and most of the hotels are here. You step off the train and reach your room in minutes, with no staircases: the right area if you travel with children, big suitcases or someone who does not walk much.
The trade-off is atmosphere: in the evening Fegina is quieter and less picturesque than the old town, and rooms close to the tracks or the seafront can hear passing trains and summer bustle. Ask for a room at the back if you are a light sleeper. At the Levanto end, near the Giant statue, the path to Punta Mesco begins.
The old town: village atmosphere
The old town is postcard Monterosso: colourful houses packed into the valley, the black-and-white striped church of San Giovanni Battista, lanes full of tables at night. Staying here means walking out to dinner, finding the village empty early in the morning and having the town beach a few steps away.
Rooms are often in old buildings with steep stairs and no lift. The old town is a restricted traffic zone, so you cannot drive to the door. From the station it is about ten minutes on foot along the sea; a suitcase rolls fine to the edge of the village, then it depends on the lane. Ask how many steps there are before you book.
On the hillside: for drivers
Above the village, towards the Capuchin monastery or along the road up to Soviore, you will find places with bay views and more silence. Some have parking, which in Monterosso is a real advantage. The price is distance: on foot it is climbs and steps, so you need a car or a hotel shuttle. Hotel il Colle, for example, is reachable by car, has free parking and runs a shuttle to the centre.
Types of accommodation in Monterosso
Compared with the other Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso has more proper hotels, with a reception, breakfast and sometimes extra services. Elsewhere on this coast, the choice is almost only rooms and apartments.
- Hotels: mostly in Fegina and on the seafront, often family-run. Hotel Baia, for example, is on the seafront a few minutes’ walk from the station. There are also more upmarket places outside the centre, such as Hotel Porto Roca, on the cliff, with a pool.
- Guesthouses (affittacamere) and B&Bs: rooms in private houses or small buildings, sometimes with breakfast, sometimes without a staffed reception. Agree your arrival time in advance.
- Apartments: the most flexible option for families and longer stays. Check the location on a map, the number of steps, and that the listing shows the CIN, the national ID code required since 2025 for holiday rentals in Italy.
One tip for everyone: many places in the old town have few rooms and fixed check-in times. If you are coming in on a late train, let them know.
Recommended places to stay in Monterosso
Hotel ★★★★
Hotel Porto Roca
Monterosso
Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the fascinating ocean, Hotel Porto Roca boasts enviable views and luxurious, comfortable accommodations. With its infinity pool, elegant rooms, and delicious Italian…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★★
Roca Du Ma Pasu
Monterosso
Excellent
Roca Du Ma Pasu offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property has a terrace from where you can also admire the sea view. Roca Du Ma Pasu serves a…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★
Albergo Degli Amici
Monterosso
Fabulous
Hotel Amici is located in Monterosso, nestled between blue and green with its colorful houses it almost seems to have stopped time. Just 200 meters from the beaches, the Amici…
Check availabilityGuest rooms ★★★
Locanda a Cà du Gigante
Monterosso
Fabulous
A Cà du gigante is located near the punta mesco trail a stone's throw from the sea and hiking trails in Monterosso. Elegant and charming furnishings characterize the interiors with…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★
Hotel il Colle di Monterosso
Monterosso
Excellent
Hotel il Colle is ideal for those who want comfortable and quiet Cinque Terre accommodation. It is accessible by car, has free parking, and there is a shuttle bus that…
Check availabilityHotel ★★
Hotel La Spiaggia
Monterosso
Fabulous
Located in a small palace built by the Poggi family at the end of the 1800s, the hotel has recently renovated rooms that are bright and finely furnished following the…
Check availabilityHotel ★★
Hotel Baia
Monterosso
Fabulous
It is located on Monterosso's seafront promenade just a few minutes' walk from the train station and the historic center from which the main paths and boats to visit the…
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Hotel Villa Steno
Monterosso
Nestled in the lush hills of Monterosso, Hotel Villa Steno offers a blend of genuine hospitality and a serene environment that will make you feel at home. Relax on the…
Check availabilityPractical tips for staying in Monterosso
Luggage and stairs
Fegina is almost entirely flat; in the old town the stairs begin as soon as you leave the main street. We found no public luggage transfer from the station, so ask your accommodation whether they can help, or whether they will keep your bags before check-in and after check-out so you can enjoy your last day. Travel light if you can: in the Cinque Terre a backpack or a small carry-on makes a big difference.
Car and parking
The old town is a restricted traffic zone. There are two main car parks: Fegina, on the seafront, with about 300 spaces, and Loreto, above the old town, on two levels with about 100 spaces. Both charge a fee, are expensive in summer and fill up by mid-morning. If your accommodation has no parking, consider leaving the car behind: Monterosso is on the Genoa–La Spezia railway, and once you are here you will not need a car.
When to book
From June to September Monterosso is the most requested village for anyone who wants sea and sand: the best rooms, especially near the water and with a view, go months ahead. May, September and October are the best months for choice, lower prices and a village that is pleasant to walk around. In winter many places close, so check opening dates.
Taxes and trains
Monterosso charges a tourist tax, paid on site; your accommodation will tell you the nightly amount. If you hop between villages by train, remember that from 14 March to 1 November 2026 regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia use the special Cinque Terre fare, which is cheaper after 7.30 pm. If you plan to hike, check the National Park notices: since 10 September 2026 the Sentiero Verde Azzurro between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia has been closed pending safety checks.
Staying near Monterosso
If Monterosso is full, or you want lower prices, look at the nearby towns. They are all a few minutes away by train.
- Levanto: just outside the Cinque Terre, with a long beach, more choice and often lower prices. A great base if you have a car.
- Vernazza: the next village, small and car-free, with the harbour below your window. Read where to stay in Vernazza.
- Corniglia: high on its headland, for those who want peace. See where to stay in Corniglia.
- Manarola and Riomaggiore: the southern villages, handy if you arrive from La Spezia. See where to stay in Manarola and where to stay in Riomaggiore.
- La Spezia: the gateway city, with many more hotels and trains to every village.
To compare all five villages, see our page on hotels in the Cinque Terre; for the village’s beaches, read our guide to the beaches of Monterosso.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in Fegina or in Monterosso’s old town?
Fegina if you arrive by train with luggage, travel with children or want to spend your days on the beach: it is flat and close to the station. The old town if you want atmosphere and restaurants on your doorstep and do not mind stairs. The two areas are about ten minutes apart on foot.
Is Monterosso the best Cinque Terre village to stay in?
It is the most practical: more hotels, the largest beach, two car parks and a flat area near the station. If you want a smaller, more dramatic village, Vernazza or Manarola have more charm but fewer services and more steps.
Can I drive to my hotel in Monterosso?
Not in the old town, which is a restricted traffic zone. In Fegina there is the seafront car park and a few places nearby; on the hillside several hotels have their own parking. Ask your accommodation where to leave the car and how much it costs before you book.
How far ahead should I book in Monterosso?
For July and August, several months ahead, especially for rooms near the sea. In May, June, September and October there is more choice, but weekends fill up quickly.
Are there step-free places to stay in Monterosso?
Your best chance is Fegina: the area is flat and several hotels are on the seafront. In the old town almost every house has some steps. Always ask whether there is a lift and which floor the room is on.
Is there a tourist tax in Monterosso?
Yes, Monterosso charges a tourist tax. You pay it at your accommodation, which will tell you the nightly amount when you book or arrive.
Is it easy to reach the other villages from Monterosso?
Yes, by train: regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia stop in every village, and Vernazza is a few minutes away. From spring to autumn there are also boats when the sea allows. The coastal path to Vernazza, however, has been closed since 10 September 2026: check the Park notices.