I have 3 nights (May 30 - June 2) to plan somewhere on the coast around the Cinque Terre area. I'm debating whether to stay in CT or outside of it. I'm a little concerned with everything I read about the crowds. I definitely do want to spend at least one day exploring CT, I found one day within ours where right now there are no cruise ships planned to be in La Spezia.
My husband and I will only do light hiking as our knees are not the best, so that is another concern of ours spending 3 nights in CT. We are in search of great food, wine, history. If we don't stay in CT, are there other locations that are desirable and practical for a day trip to CT? Is Genoa too far and nice to stay? Or is it better just to stay our 3 nights in CT? Looking for different opinions and pros/cons to help us make our decision. Thanks!
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
It’s been many years since we visited CT. It was “before the crowds.” That said, if we were returning to the area we would opt to stay in the charming town of Levanto. Our tour guides aunt lived there. We had a wonderful lunch at Zita’s overlooking the valley. The best meal we had in the region. CT is just a train ride away for a day trip. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjJ9aHauYL9AhUSIX0KHdgeDp4QFnoECFQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marthasitaly.com%2Farticles%2F123%2Flevanto-italian-riviera&usg=AOvVaw23_bpXknub-G25s1A0Kl2c
Posted by
Irving
2979 posts
will only do light hiking as our knees are not the best
Hiking in the Cinque Terre may not be a good idea. It's steep and it will be hot which is not a good combination.
Direct trains from Monterosso al Mare to:
Levanto (5 minutes)
Sestri Levanti (45 minutes)
Santa Margarita Ligure (1h)
Pisa (1h 15)
Genoa (Genova) 1h 45m
Direct trains from Vernazza to:
Levanto (10 minutes)
Sestri Levante ( 45 minutes)
Santa Margarita Ligure (45 minutes)
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Second the suggestion of Levanto, which is a lovely town even if not a "postcard" picture from the water like the other towns.
There are plenty of other nice towns in the riviera that are really nice too but probably less crowded than the Cinque Terre towns like Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Camogli to the north. It's about an hour by train from those towns south to the Cinque Terre, but it's pretty easy to do.
Genoa is a bit further north but still not impossible as a base for day tripping. Some people like Genoa. I didn't find it that appealing (did only a day trip there). The old quarter is charming and interesting, but much of the city seems sprawling and ugly in places. Personally, I'd stay in one of the other towns I mentioned. Camogli was delightful when I spent a few nights there a few years ago. In early June, it's going to be fairly quiet.
Posted by
140 posts
Taking the train in to the CT during the day only delivers you during the most crowded times. You might be better served to take your day trip FROM the CT rather than TO the CT.
I suggest that the "best" time to be in CT is before and after the crowds. Staying the night in one of the towns might give you the opportunity to see them at their charming best. The ability to have a nice dinner and stroll home with the sun setting over the ocean is pretty neat.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2416 posts
I agree with dpoweron.
The best way to enjoy any location busy with day trippers is to overnight there.
Posted by
4473 posts
The plus of staying within is the mornings and evenings, but if you are taking day trips, you’ll be contending with crowded trains. With knee issues, I’d stay somewhere else. There are many pretty coastal towns! Genoa is large, more amenable to history and city fans.
Posted by
Huntsville, TX, USA
317 posts
We really enjoyed Levanto. It was so pleasant and convenient to everything we wanted to do. We were there May 26-June 3, 2022 and can’t wait to go back. If you have any specific questions about it please let me know. Good luck.
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
We stayed up in Santa Margherita at a lovely agriturismo. We liked not being in the CT proper and gave us options on days do to other things.
Posted by
California
1625 posts
Bad knees here too, that is why we stayed in Monterosso, the most flat of the 5 towns with the others being very hilly. No hiking for me either but we explored Monterosso, took the train between the other 4 villages with some having some smaller trails leading up to gorgeous views that were very doable and very empty (Early October). So only 2 nights was needed for us. But It would have been nice to go at a slower pace, with one town being home base and 2 other town explored each day, so 3 nights would have been ideal.
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
961 posts
We stayed with friends in 2018 in the Cinque Terre for 2 nights. We stayed in Monterosso as one of our party had bad knees. There is plenty to do without hiking. Staying in the Cinque Terre allowed us to have the early mornings and evenings to enjoy the town. One of our favorite things to do was to take the Sunset Cruise. Being on the water as the sunsets is a wonderful way to get a different view of the landscape.
Have a great trip.