Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie

Religious Building in Vernazza

Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie Cinque Terre
Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie Cinque Terre
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Davide Papalini

Perched in the tiny hamlet of San Bernardino above the Cinque Terre coastline, the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (also known locally as San Bernardino) feels like a secret you earn rather than a sight you stumble into. It's a simple, compact sanctuary with a quiet forecourt, a rural hillside setting, and that classic Ligurian sense of being suspended between sea and sky.

If you're building a day around viewpoints, walking, and small hamlets, this stop is one of the must-see places in Vernazza for travelers who want a calmer side of the area beyond the waterfront bustle. It also slots naturally into a walking tour of Vernazza if you're happy to trade a little uphill effort for a big dose of atmosphere and some of the loveliest panoramas in the region.

History and Significance of the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

The sanctuary is part of the wider network known as the Sanctuaries of the Cinque Terre, a chain of hilltop places of worship tied closely to local communities and seasonal traditions. While the building you see today reflects later rebuilding, the site’s religious roots stretch back to an earlier chapel, giving it that layered “lived-in” feeling that’s common in small Ligurian sanctuaries.

Architecturally, it keeps things straightforward: a single-nave layout, a restrained Romanesque look on the exterior, and a sturdy bell tower that anchors the building to the hillside. It’s not a grand church designed to impress, but a practical, devotional place shaped by geography and local life.

One of the most meaningful details is the continued importance of Marian devotion here, marked by local celebrations and the sense that this sanctuary still belongs first to the community. Visit with a little quiet respect and you’ll notice how much this place functions as a spiritual landmark, not just a scenic stop.

Things to See and Do in the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

Start with the approach: part of the appeal is arriving via footpath or bus into a small hamlet where everyday life still feels close to the land. The sanctuary itself is modest, so the experience is less about ticking off “must-see” interiors and more about soaking up the calm, the setting, and the sense of distance from the coast below.

Inside, look for the sanctuary’s devotional artwork and the simple spatial rhythm of a one-nave church. The details are understated, but that’s the point: it’s a place for pause, not performance. If the doors are open, step in for a few minutes of quiet and let your eyes adjust from bright coastal light to the softer interior.

Outside, give yourself time for the views and a slow loop around the hamlet lanes. This is a great spot for an unhurried break-water, a snack, a moment on a bench-before continuing along the paths that link Corniglia, Vernazza, and the higher routes of the Cinque Terre.

How to Get to the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

The easiest gateways are the Cinque Terre rail line and La Spezia, which connects well to the rest of Italy by train. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.. From there, you can base in Vernazza or Corniglia and approach San Bernardino either by footpath (a rewarding climb with viewpoints) or by local bus when services are running.

For flights, look at Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei) and Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport as the most convenient options for reaching the Cinque Terre by onward rail connections. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Vernazza on Booking.com.. Florence can also work if you're pairing the coast with Tuscany, but it usually adds time and changes.

Buses can be a practical shortcut if you want the views without a full uphill hike-services can be seasonal and limited, so it’s worth checking locally the day you go. If you do hike, plan for uneven steps, sun exposure in parts, and the usual Cinque Terre reality that trail conditions can change after heavy weather.

Driving is rarely the best plan for this area because parking is limited and road access is constrained, but it can make sense if you’re staying outside the villages and timing your visit early or late. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you..

Practical Tips on Visiting the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: Daily: Open every day (hours can vary; Saturday Mass at 16:00).
  • Official website:
  • Best time to visit: Aim for a clear morning for the sharpest coastal views, or late afternoon when the light softens and the hamlet feels especially quiet.
  • How long to spend: Budget 30-45 minutes on-site, then add hiking time if you’re walking up from the coast or linking trails between villages.
  • Accessibility: Expect steps, slopes, and uneven surfaces; it’s best suited to visitors comfortable with hillside terrain rather than mobility-limited travel.
  • Facilities: Keep expectations simple-carry water and essentials, and treat this as a scenic, low-infrastructure stop rather than a staffed attraction.

Where to Stay Close to the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in central Vernazza for easy evenings, harbour views, and quick access to the Cinque Terre rail line; if your main focus is hiking and quiet viewpoints, consider staying higher up toward the hamlets for a calmer, trail-first rhythm.

Staying in Vernazza keeps you close to restaurants and the waterfront, while still making San Bernardino an easy half-day outing by trail or bus. For a comfortable village base, consider Hotel Gianni Franzi, which puts you right in the heart of the action when you’re not on the paths. If you prefer polished, view-leaning rooms with a more boutique feel, La Malà is a strong choice for couples and travelers who prize atmosphere.

If you want something practical and central for early starts, Camere Nicolina works well as a simple, sleep-well base-especially if your plan is to spend most of your time outdoors and return to the village for dinner.

Is the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino) Worth Visiting?

Yes-if you like the Cinque Terre most when it feels quiet, local, and slightly removed from the postcard crowds. The sanctuary itself is modest, but the combination of the hamlet setting, the sense of pilgrimage-route heritage, and the viewpoints makes it feel like a more personal encounter with the landscape.

If your priority is big interiors, major artworks, or a “headline” monument, you may find it understated. But if you value a slow climb, a calm pause, and the feeling of discovering a corner that many day-trippers skip, it’s a satisfying detour.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, the key is choosing the right approach: a short bus ride plus a gentle wander around the hamlet is far easier than committing to a long uphill hike in midday heat. Bring snacks and water, and frame it as a “viewpoint mission” with a simple reward at the top.

If you do hike, keep it flexible-stop often, turn it into a photo scavenger hunt (boats below, terraced vines, tiny chapels), and don’t worry about distance targets. This works best for kids who already enjoy walking and being outdoors.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

This is an excellent couples’ stop if you want a quieter, more intimate Cinque Terre moment away from the harbour crowds. Arriving on foot feels like a shared little achievement, and the views make for an easy “slow travel” highlight without needing a long itinerary.

Pair it with a late afternoon return to Vernazza for golden-hour light and a relaxed dinner. The sanctuary visit itself is short, so the romance is really in the pace: walk, pause, look out, and let the landscape do the work.

Budget Travelers

This is a strong value stop because it’s free to visit and naturally built around walking-exactly the kind of Cinque Terre experience that doesn’t require paid attractions. Pack a simple lunch, refill water where possible, and treat the viewpoint breaks as part of the day’s entertainment.

If you’re watching costs, use the rail line to hop between villages and choose one longer hike rather than multiple short paid segments or add-on tours. The sanctuary adds a meaningful “off-the-mainline” feel without adding expense.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (131)

Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie, on Via Nostra Signora delle Grazie in Imperia, is a lovely Romanesque church set among olive trees and greenery; visitors praise its impressive interior frescoes and careful preservation by a devoted local association, and note that private guided visits can be arranged by phone or email—access is easiest via the wide provincial road from Porto Maurizio, as some smaller approach roads can be rough.

Steffen Schmitt
8 months ago
"We passed by the Santuario on our loop hike around Montegrazie and Moltedo."
Brett
6 years ago
"It’s a beautiful old church. Not a religious person myself but it’s worth a visit for the history."
giuseppe enrico
5 years ago
"Wonderful"

FAQs for Visiting Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

Getting There

It sits in the hamlet of San Bernardino above the Cinque Terre coast, in the wider Vernazza area. Think hillside lanes, terraces, and viewpoints rather than a waterfront location.
The most straightforward approach is to start from Corniglia or Vernazza and follow the signed hillside paths toward San Bernardino. If you’re unsure, ask locally which route is currently in the best condition after recent weather.
Arrive by rail to one of the Cinque Terre stations (often Corniglia or Vernazza), then continue by trail or local bus depending on service times. It’s an easy transfer conceptually, but allow time for uphill walking.
Parking in the Cinque Terre is limited and often inconvenient compared to rail plus walking. Driving only makes sense if you’re staying outside the villages and you’ve already planned your day around road access.

Tickets & Entry

The exterior, hamlet lanes, and viewpoints are free and are a big part of the visit. There’s no typical ticketing setup like a museum-this is primarily a place of worship.
No booking is normally required because this isn’t a timed-entry attraction. The only thing to “plan” is your approach-bus times and trail conditions matter more than reservations.
Keep voices low inside and dress respectfully if you enter during religious use. If a service is underway, treat it as a living space first and a sightseeing stop second.

Visiting Experience

The sanctuary visit itself can be brief-often a quick look inside (if open) plus time for the viewpoint. The real time commitment is the uphill approach and return.
If visibility is poor, you lose the main payoff: the panorama. On a rainy or windy day, it’s usually better to save this for clearer conditions and choose a sheltered village activity instead.
Link it with a village wander in Corniglia or Vernazza and one scenic footpath segment for a satisfying half-day. If you enjoy quiet routes, consider connecting it to another sanctuary walk for a more thematic day.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It’s often part of longer hiking ideas like the sanctuaries-themed routes and higher paths connecting villages. Many visitors miss it simply because they stay on the coast-level highlights.
You don’t need a guide to appreciate the site, but a guide can add context about local devotional traditions and trail history. For most travelers, good preparation and a mindful pace deliver the same satisfaction.
A short plan is to reach San Bernardino by the most direct route available, pause at the sanctuary and viewpoints, then return the same way. If you’re feeling energetic and conditions are good, extend by continuing along a connecting path toward the next village.

Photography

Yes-especially for wide coastal shots and terraced-hillside compositions that feel distinctly Cinque Terre. The hamlet setting also gives you quieter frames without crowds.
Morning often brings cleaner air and sharper visibility, while late afternoon tends to soften the light for a warmer, more atmospheric look. If you want fewer people, go earlier rather than later.
Outdoors, it’s generally straightforward. Inside, be discreet, avoid flash, and skip photography entirely if a service is in progress or if signage asks you to refrain.

Accessibility & Facilities

This is a challenging stop for limited mobility because the approach involves slopes and steps and the area is built on hillside terrain. If accessibility is a priority, focus on coast-level viewpoints and flatter village routes.
Facilities are limited and not guaranteed right at the sanctuary. Plan to use amenities in the main villages before you head up.
A stroller is likely to be frustrating on steep paths and uneven surfaces. A baby carrier is usually the far easier option if you’re visiting with small children.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Plan your main food stop in Vernazza or Corniglia where you have more choice and predictable opening times. Up in the hamlets, think “bonus refreshment” rather than a guaranteed meal plan.
This is a great day for a simple Ligurian picnic-focaccia, fruit, and water-because the viewpoints make natural resting spots. Save a proper sit-down meal for back in the villages.

Safety & Timing

It’s peaceful, but hillside paths can be poorly lit after dark and harder to navigate safely. Aim to finish your walk with plenty of daylight unless you’re very confident with the route.
Early morning feels more local and quiet, while later in the day can be beautiful for light and mood. If you want the place mostly to yourself, early is the safer bet.

Nearby Attractions to the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino)

  • Corniglia: The hilltop Cinque Terre village with terraces, viewpoints, and a calmer feel than the busiest harbours.
  • Vernazza Harbour and Old Town: A classic Cinque Terre waterfront scene with postcard views and an easy-to-enjoy village wander.
  • Guvano viewpoint and coastal panoramas: A dramatic stretch of coastline scenery that’s especially rewarding if you like quieter lookout points.
  • Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio: Another atmospheric sanctuary walk above Vernazza, known for its shaded square and big views.
  • Sentiero Azzurro viewpoints between villages: Iconic sea-and-cliff perspectives along the most famous Cinque Terre hiking corridor.

The Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Vernazza!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Daily: Open every day (hours can vary; Saturday Mass at 16:00).

Price:

Free.

Address: Chiesa della Madonna di San Bernardino, San Bernardino, SP, Italy
Vernazza: 1 km
Corniglia: 2 km

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs