Vernazza is an absolute jewel of a village on the northwestern coast of Italy, in the region of Liguria, and without a doubt, one of the most picturesque destinations on the Italian peninsula, which is saying something! Made up of many pastel coloured tower-houses reflected across the crystal clear sea, narrow alleys intertwining with each other as they wind their way up from the sea-front, and small boats with which you can reach pretty coves around the gulf. Vernazza is a magical place and offers truly breathtaking views.
What to see in Vernazza?
Arriving to the village by sea, one soon arrives at the old natural harbour of Vernazza from which the narrow streets lead to the main square of Vernaccia. In this square is the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia with an octagonal footprint and a beautiful bell tower.
Next to it, a cylindrical watchtower of the Doria Castle is what remains of the Genoese anti-Corsari fortified structure. The castle, built in the 11th century, is now an exhibition centre and a wonderful vantage point over the bay and the centre of Vernazza: the perfect spot to get some amazing photos for your instagram!
Alteratively, if you come to the city from the west, Vernazza is the second stop on the Cinque Terre scenic route and also includes the gulf of Corniglia, where you can visit the church of San Pietro, a stunning construction built in Gothic-Genovese style, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and the typical dreamy atmosphere of the Riviera: the beauty of the sea and sky.
Events and festivities not to be missed
If you are looking for a party in Vernazza, the summer is the time to visit: in July, the festival for Vernazza's patron saint, Santa Margherita, is celebrated throughout the town with parades and fireworks over the sea. During the festival, a competition between the two districts of the village, lùvegu (the wet) and sciùiu (the flowery) concludes in the evening with demonstrations by the confraternities and typical local ballads.
Theatrical and musical performances are staged throughout the summer for the Festival of the Cinque Terre Park, an extremely interesting attraction for old and new visitors. Finally, for those who wish to walk among olive groves, vineyards and fragrant vegetable gardens, agencies organise excursions and trekking along the best paths of the area.
Cuisine and typical products of Vernazza
The gastronomy of Vernazza offers high quality products such as DOP extra virgin olive oil and excellent DOC wines, including the Cinque Terre white wine and the most popular passito wine in Italy, Sciacchetrà, which is only produced in small quantities. Ligurian tables are never lacking in pesto, rigorously made with basil, pine nuts and grated cheese, but you can also find fish dishes in the village: the tian Vernazza (pan fried anchovy) - prepared with anchovies from Monterosso, tomatoes, and potatoes - is the main local dish and its recipe has been handed down for centuries.
How to get to Vernazza
The village of Vernazza is really easy to reach, here are the means of transport that can be used:
- by car: driving along the A1 motorway you can reach the Cinque Terre arriving in La Spezia (14 km) with the SP370 "Litoranea delle Cinque Terre". Proceed along the seafront in the direction of Cinque Terre-Portovenere.
- by train: the railway station of Vernazza is situated along the line Genova-la Spezia and is located in the village, not far from the sea and from the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
- by plane: the nearest airport is Pisa, about 110 km away, from which Vernazza can be reached by train or by renting a car. Other nearby airports are Genoa (113 km) and Milan Malpensa (300 km).
Living in Vernazza
If this beautiful, picturesque village seems like a place that you could make a home, you can find your dream house in Vernazza, for rent or sale, on idealista. We're sure that you'll find a home to suit your needs. Alternatively, if you only want to experience the village during a brief trip and are looking for a holiday home, you can find the right one for you on Rentalia.
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