Vernazza
From World travel guide
Vernazza is one of the villages of Cinque Terre, in Italy. Travelling nothward, Vernazza is the fourth of the five towns and perhaps the most picturesque. Colorful, antique homes cling to impossible cliffs. A lovely small harbor is nestled under the shadows of an ancient castle and a dramatic seaside church.
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Understand
Vernazza has the only the proper harbor in the Cinque Terre and is a charming, small fishing village. Vernazza was founded about 1000 A.D. and was ruled by the Republic of Genoa starting in 1276. Vernazza's medieval castle, Belforte, was built in the mid-1500's, primairly to protect the village from Pirates.
Vernazza's historic wealth is evidenced by the elegant style of its houses and streets, which are decorated with tower forms, open galleries, refined arcades and elaborate doorways. The Village is surrounded by very steeply-terraced Olive groves which are said to produce among the finest Olive oil in the country.
Vernazza is a quaint, tiny place, with a population of about 1,000. The entire Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Get in
Taking the local commuter/milk trains (they used to deliver milk and mail to the cities) to Vernazza from Genova or La Spezia is a magnificent experience. You will ride along the cliffs, overlooking turquoise waters and olive trees. Tunnel after tunnel, the air cools and heats in the sun. There is no car traffic in Vernazza, which definitely adds to the village's charms. There is a small parking lot about a quarter mile north of the village.
Get around
The milk train provides easy access to each of the five towns. Trains run very frequently. The station in Vernazza is about a 10 minute walk above the harbor. The cobble stone main street from the station to the Harbor is classically beautiful, lined with colorful buildings that house small shops, cafes, and resdiences.
The town itself is very small and only accessible on foot.
See
Do
The hike northeast from Vernazza to Monterosso (or vice versa) creates indelible memories of incredibly beautiful cliffs and seascapes. The hike takes about 90 minutes each way, but you can hike one way and return on the train. The trail begins on the north side of the main street between the train station and the harbor (it is not well marked, you may need to ask). The Vernazza-Monterosso hike involes some climbing, about 250 meters total.
Not to be missed is the first part of the hike southeast from Vernazza to Corniglia. This hike literally offers postcard views (like the photo above) of the town, the castle, and more. The trail starts just above the train station (it is well marked). The most amazing views are within the first 10 minutes of walking from the station as the trail wraps around the watchtower of Veranzza's castle. You will definitely want your camera. The full hike to Corniglia, which is the greenest hike in the Cinque Terre as it meanders through Olive groves, takes about 90 minutes. For info on hiking to all five villages see the Cinque Terre page.
Buy
Eat
Hike up to Franco’s Ristorante “La Torre”, which sits atop the castle on the trail to Corniglia (Wed-Mon 12:00-21:30, kitchen closes from 15:00-19:30)tel. 0187-821-082.
Trattoria Gianni is moderately priced, well decorated, and convenient-- nestled on the left side of the Harbor square.
Drink
Sleep
There aren't any traditional full service hotels in Vernazza, but a wonderful assortment of guest houses, vacation rentals, and boutique hotels. Staying in one of these smaller establishments is the way to soak up the real Vernazza-- don't be put off by the lack of larger hotel properties.
Giuliano rents three lovely, well kept rooms with a view of the ocean and the village. Giuliano is a rare Vernazza native and a gracious host. He built, rents, maintains, and cleans the room himself. [1]
Trattoria Gianni is a pension with 23 small rooms just under the castle. [2]
Martina Callo rents four rooms overlooking the square. [3]
Get out
External links
Official cinque terre site. [4]
