The fishing village of Vernazza is the second of the 5 towns that are included in Cinque Terre, when heading south. The town was fisrt mentioned in records from 1080.

It is a nice place with elegant houses, a promenade and a piazza on the seafront. There are no cars and it is also the only of the 5 towns with a natural harbour.

• The small stone Chapel of Santa Marta is located in Via Roma.
• The Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia was built in 1318. It features an octagonal bell-tower. The church is located in the Piazza Marconi.
• Doria Castle was built in the 15th century to protect Vernazza from attacks by pirates.
• The Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio (Sanctuary of Madonna of Reggio) sits on a hill above Vernazza. It takes about an hour to walk there, but it's well-worth the effort, as the views are magnificent.
• Vernazza has an excellent Beach, located in the northwest of town, just off Piazza Marconi.

Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Vernazza is about 350 km northwest from Rome.

Vernazza ©Noel Broda

Vernazza ©Peter Thomas

Vernazza ©Noah Mayer