cinque terra?

I find cultural value in small villages, but I would consider other locations not planing on taking advantage of the trails . There are other pretty villages on the seaside that have more historical and artistic attractions.

Sadly (because the CT were wonderful when we first visited 20 years ago), they have become victims of over tourism. Especially on days when the cruise ships port in La Spezia, the villages, trains, and some of the trails, are choked with people. People visit the CT for the scenery and the hiking. There's not much in the way of arts and culture, although a couple of the village churches are nice. You might do a wine tasting or find a pasta or dessert making class.

We were In the CT Oct of 2024. Horribly crowded in the villages and also on the trails which we did not expect. I would avoid, wall to wall tourists is not what these villages were about.

They are quaint villages but in the period you are planning to go they will be crowded (especially Vernazza), maybe unbearably so if you happen to be there when a cruise ship is in town at La Spezia. If you are not interested in hiking, then a few hours in one or two of the villages will suffice. But check the cruise schedule in one of the websites below so that maybe you can avoid those dates.

https://speziacarrara.cruises/en/cruise-calendar/
https://www.cruisetimetables.com/la-spezia-italy-cruise-ship-schedule.html
https://www.cruisemapper.com/?poi=160

There are also other villages in the area which are quaint and less visited such as:
Monte Marcello
Tellaro
Porto Venere
Framura
Deiva
Moneglia
and more.

Could you add the rest of your itinerary? Roberto has some good suggestions but if we know where else you are heading there may be other villages with your requirements but without the hordes. will you have a car?