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Monterosso on the north end of the Cinque Terre chain is largest of the five hamlets and makes a good home base because it has 20 hotels, the only sandy beach, excellent restaurants, and the start of the hiking trail.
You arrive by train at Monterosso in the newer section built in the 1970s, then walk through a short tunnel into the Old Town. Right away you see the beautiful beach with the umbrellas spread out before you.
Of course, for the shoppers, there’s always that chance to find the special souvenir or elusive outfit in little, outoftheway boutiques that you would never find at home or on the main shopping circuits, so there’s something for everybody here in the Cinque Terre.