Maemuna – Sea Views and Legend – Vernazza
Vernazza · Cinque Terre · Sea view apartment
Maemuna
Sea view and legend in the heart of Vernazza
One of the most spectacular sea views in the Cinque Terre, in an apartment where a mermaid's legend meets the sound of opera — now with brand-new air conditioning and a proper double bed.
Check dates & book directBest rate guaranteed · No third-party fees · Local concierge included
The legend
A mermaid, a gramophone and a hidden cove
Maemuna's windows look out towards the Grotta Maemuna, a hidden cove along the Vernazza coastline tied to an ancient Ligurian legend: it is said that a mermaid with an irresistible song would lure sailors towards those waters.
The story of the house is just as captivating. Its former owner, a woman with a passion for opera, would have a gramophone loaded onto a fishermen's boat and be taken right inside the cave, to listen to arias and classical music amplified by the natural rock walls — her own private opera house, carved by the sea. That memory still lives on within these walls today.
The apartment is exclusively managed by Cinque Terre Riviera, the local tour operator based in Vernazza since 1991. Booking direct means the best available rate, no third-party fees and our concierge office a few steps away on Via Roma.
The view
The sea, from your window
Few apartments in the Cinque Terre can claim a view like this: the open Ligurian Sea framed by the windows of a historic fisherman's house, in the ancient heart of Vernazza. The light changes hour by hour — the pale blue of morning, the deep sparkle of midday, the amber of sunset over the water.
It is the kind of view guests plan their day around: coffee at the window, aperitivo at golden hour, and the sound of the waves after dark.
The apartment
A one-bedroom home for up to 3 guests
Living room with double bed
The heart of the house, facing the sea — now with a proper fixed double bed (no more sofa bed) so two guests sleep in real comfort. This is also where the newly installed air conditioning lives: one powerful unit that cools the entire apartment.
Single bedroom
A separate room with a single bed and ceiling fan — ideal for a child, a friend or anyone who likes their own space.
Kitchen & bathroom
An essential kitchen for breakfasts and simple meals, and a compact bathroom. Free WiFi throughout.
An honest word
A fisherman's house, not a modern flat — and that is its charm
Maemuna is a historic building in the ancient heart of Vernazza, with all the character and all the limitations of an authentic Ligurian fisherman's house. The kitchen is very small and essential, and the bathroom is as compact as one on a boat — truly limited space.
It is the perfect choice for those seeking atmosphere, an extraordinary view and a genuine Cinque Terre experience. It is not the right choice for those looking for spacious living quarters — and we would rather tell you now than surprise you at check-in.
Complete the experience
Reach the Grotta Maemuna — from the sea
The cove that gives the apartment its name can only be reached from the water. Our private Cinque Terre Riviera boat tours, aboard the traditional gozzo boats Grecale and Macaia, include this magical stop — ideally retracing the journey the opera-loving lady of the house made a century ago, gramophone and all.
Ask our concierge team when you book, or browse all our experiences at experiences.cinqueterreriviera.com.
Good to know
Practical information
Arriving by car
We strongly recommend travelling by train. If you arrive by car, use the public car park above Vernazza (around 1,200 m from the pedestrian area): a shuttle runs to the village entrance, then it is about a 5-minute walk to our concierge office. Advance booking of the car park is strongly recommended — details and costs are provided after booking.
Check-in times and evening arrivals
Standard check-in runs from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm with on-site assistance from our team. From 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, independent self check-in is available with full instructions sent in advance by email (telephone assistance in this slot may carry a supplement). After 10:00 pm, no check-in is possible — we strongly advise against late-evening arrivals: trains are infrequent, driving is challenging and the car park may be closed.
Dogs welcome
Small and medium-sized dogs are welcome with a supplement per stay — select the option when booking. House rules: dogs on a lead in all common areas including the stairs, no access to beds or sofas, and owners are responsible for their pet's behaviour and for respecting other guests.
Booking direct includes
Looked after by locals, since 1991
— A complimentary welcome breakfast for your first morning in Vernazza
— Quality amenities: local extra virgin olive oil, salt, sugar and compostable Nespresso capsules
— Professional cleaning, with the apartment always spotless and sanitised
— Eco-friendly practices and a genuine commitment to sustainability
— Our concierge office on Via Roma, a few steps from the station, for anything you need during your stay
Wake up to the legend of the Grotta Maemuna
Sea view, new air conditioning, dogs welcome — in the ancient heart of Vernazza.
Check dates & book directCinque Terre Riviera · Via Roma 24, Vernazza · concierge@cinqueterreriviera.com · +39 351 785 8879
