On our second day in Cinque Terre we visited the towns of Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza – a very full day. Monterosso is the largest town of the five lands and has an actual beach. It’s also reached by train. After spending the morning there we hopped back on the train to Vernazza, where we stayed until after sunset. Vernazza is still a true fishing village with a protected harbor and one of the most photographed towns of Cinque Terre. It is also the only town with a lookout tower, originally built to protect the town from pirates.

 

Tunnel into town from the train station

 

Monterosso al Mare view from the south

 

Two lovely ladies enjoying a mini picnic on the beach

 

Typical of the many ‘streets’ in Cinque Terre

 

View of Monterosso from Vernazza

 

Outdoor eating in the small piazza by the harbor in Vernazza

 

Italian teens taking a break from sightseeing

I

was interested to get a peek inside the kitchen of one of the many restaurants in Vernazza

 

From the piazza in Vernazza it’s about a 15 minute hike to a viewpoint over the town where photographers from all over the world have immortalized this Italian coastal town. So, thinking I was on the same trail, I got a little worried when I still hadn’t reached the viewpoint after a half hour of walking. Turns out I took the wrong road and didn’t realize it until I bumped into some hikers coming from Monterosso. They pointed me in the right direction and I was able to get a higher viewpoint not far from the trail I was on. You can see Doria Castle on the far side and Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia on the near side.

 

Returned to town and climbed the steep steps to Doria Castle where had an interesting view of below

 

Neighbors

 

Vernazza harbor

 

Guess who the locals are and who the tourists are

 

Evening on Via Roma heading back to the train station

 

So, more to come. Love to hear what you have to say about our travels.