A Guide to the Best Things to Do in Vernazza

Last Updated on 2nd March 2025 by Sophie Nadeau

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The beautiful Vernazza is often hailed as one of the most picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre region. Home to a medieval castle, vineyards that splay across the hillside and a charming collection of vividly coloured houses adorn the jagged coastline that stretches out into the Ligurian Sea, here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Vernazza!

Where is Vernazza?

Vernazza is a small town located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria along the coastline in northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre region, which sits just above the region of Tuscany Vernazza is the fourth town heading north and has a small local population of under 1,000 people.

What is Vernazza known for?

Famed for its elegant architecture and no car traffic, Vernazza is also the only village in the area with a natural harbour, so remains to be the truest of the “fishing villages” on the Italian Riviera.

It’s also said to have inspired the film Luca, so while you’re strolling around town, you’ll likely spot architecture that’s pretty similar to the fictional one depicted in the film!

Best things to do in Vernazza

Visit the Ruins of Doria Tower

Step back in time and visit the remains of the oldest surviving fortification in the Cinque Terre, Doria Castle or as it’s known in Italian, Castello Doria.

Perched at the tip of a rocky outcrop that juts out into the sea, the centuries old ruins and circular tower (which is all that remains of the original fortress) have a history that date back to the 11th century.

The structure was originally built to prevent pirate attacks, which were very common during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Today, for a small fee visitors can wander around the site and even climb a steep set of stairs and soak up panoramic views from the medieval tower.

Explore the harbour

Home to the only natural harbour of Cinque Terre, back in the day, Vernazza was the most prosperous of the region and had the greatest economic power thanks to its active port area.

Today, the waterfront area of the village is a vibrant pocket from which to watch the world go by, enjoy dining at one of the many restaurants, or even take a boat trip on the sparkling waters!

In this area, there is also a tiny beach that locals and tourists love to visit during the hottest hours of the day. However, try to get there early as it gets very crowded quite quickly and there’s not much space! 

Church of St. Margaret of Antioch

Visit the small 14th-century Catholic place of worship, which is known in Italian as Chiesa di Santa Margherita, and was built in honour of Santa Margherita.

A local legend goes that, in ancient times, a small box was found along the coast in Vernazza which is said to have contained the bones of Santa Margherita. After this discovery the locals decided to build a church in honour of the saint.

Today, visitors can wander in for free and explore the beautiful Romanesque-style structure and admire its unique octagonal tower. The church dominates the harbour area and overlooks the sea.

Wander the town

While Vernazza might be one of the busiest towns of Cinque Terre thanks to its sheer popularity, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find little pockets of peace and calm if you know where to look!

To find the hidden caruggi (narrow medieval lanes) simply wander around the town and look for little narrow offshoots from the main path. Look hard enough and you’ll find serene streets where most tourists don’t venture to…

Go wine tasting

One of the best things to do in Vernazza is to head high up into the vineyards and soak up the sweeping vistas of the village and the coastline…and of course, try some local wine! We did this during our stay and it was truly one of the most memorable moments of our trip!

Winemaking is deeply rooted in Cinque Terre’s heritage and has been one of the region’s main industries since Antiquity.

A particular pocket of the region that is popular with the wine business is that of Vernazza, which is also said to take its name from the white wine grape variety, Vernaccia.

Visit Cantina Cheo the local winery to learn more about the history of winemaking, tour the production process and then enjoy sipping on the crisp, refreshing and sun-kissed delicious wine. Or, book a vineyard trekking tour experience like this one.

Also of interest to those wine enthusiasts out there, the grapevine, Venaccia was taken to San Gimignano in Tuscany in the 1300s and is still grown there today. Known as the “white lady” in a land of reds, few people know that this popular white wine actually originated in the Cinque Terre region!

Indulge in Italian food!

Of course, one of the best things about visiting any part of Italy is the food as it’s simply belíssimo! Thanks to Vernazza’s location, you can be assured of having delicious fresh seafood, with restaurants serving the catch of the day along the picturesque waterfront. Some other dishes or local snacks you must try include:

• Pasta alla Genovese – A dish that originates from the city Genoa, not too far from the region, it’s the origin place of pesto! So, a delicious bowl of pesto pasta should be your priority to try when visiting along the Italian Riviera coastline.
• Farinata / socca – This delicious thin crispy pancake made from chickpea flour is a super popular snack throughout Europe!
• Fritto Misto – Translates as ‘fried mix’ this popular street food is typically fried fish, shellfish or vegetables served in a cone, best eaten as a snack while exploring.
• Lemons – Similar to that of the Amalfi Coast or Sorrento, you won’t find lemons quite like this anywhere else in the world! Sun-kissed, refreshing and sweet in flavour, enjoy lemons in any form possible, from beverages to desserts.

Hike the Blue Path

Each of the five villages of Cinque Terre are interlinked with coastal paths. In times gone by, these paths would have been the only way to reach the village (apart from by boat)!

Known locally as Sentiero Azzuro, the path has been used for centuries and links together all five coastal villages, beginning in Monterosso. Head west of Vernazza to reach Monterosso al Mare and head easy to reach Corniglia.

Although the path doesn’t look long on a map, the summer heat coupled with a number of descents and ascents can mean it takes 2 hours to walk on average. Please note that both the hike between Monterosso and Vernazza, and the hike between Vernazza and Corniglia cost money to hike.

Enough signs indicate the way up to the hiking trail, however, keep in mind that the path is considered from moderate to medium in difficulty, with a few areas where the path is very rocky and uneven. Be sure to bring lots of water to stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes!

Boasting the most breathtaking views of Cinque Terre and beyond, wandering along this hilltop path is sure to leave you in awe and you’ll think about the scenery for years to come!

Visit the neighbouring villages

Of course, as mentioned, if you feel up to it one of the best ways to see Cinque Terre in all its glory is to hike the Blue Path. However, the five settlements can also easily be reached by boat or train.

The five villages are as follows; Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, each village has its own unique vibe and charm to it! For more inspiration, check out our suggestions for how to spend 2 days in Cinque Terre.

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