Fegina Beach & the Old Town Waterfront
Monterosso's Fegina beach is the longest, sandiest stretch in all of Cinque Terre — a rare luxury in a coastline dominated by rocks and pebbles. Striped umbrellas, crystalline turquoise water and the silhouette of Il Gigante's crumbling statue make it one of the most photogenic beaches in Italy.
Two Beaches in One Town
Monterosso splits into two distinct seaside zones connected by a pedestrian tunnel carved through the headland. The modern Fegina quarter hosts the wide sandy beach with sun-bed rentals, beach bars and calm, swimmable water perfect for families.
The old-town side is smaller and more atmospheric, with fishing boats pulled up on the pebbles and the medieval Torre Aurora watching over bathers. Arrive before 9 am to snag a free public strip before the paid concessions fill up.
Il Gigante & the Rocky Headland
Perched on the rocky promontory between the two beaches stands the weathered remains of Il Gigante, a four-metre Neptune figure carved directly into the cliff face around 1910. The statue lost its trident arms in a 1966 storm but remains a haunting, unmissable landmark.
Swim out from Fegina toward the headland for the best view of the figure from the water — a perspective most tourists miss entirely. The rocks around the base are also excellent for snorkelling, with sea urchins, wrasse and the occasional octopus.
Low tide in July and August reveals a narrow rock ledge below Il Gigante where locals sunbathe away from the crowds. It is accessible only by swimming or kayak, which keeps it blissfully quiet.
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