Cinque Terre advice needed, esp without a lot of walking?

How about using the ferry from town to town? Check to see if it's operating

https://cinqueterrevacation.com/getting-around-cinque-terre-by-boat/

We used a ferry (but it was with Windstar) that took us from town to town. I'm pretty sure there is a public ferry.

We got on the ferry at Portovenere and rode it to Monterosso. It was a great to see the area from the water. We were on a RS tour, though, so I'm not sure if there is parking available in Portovenere. I think the train is another good option. They run between all the villages, so there is no need to hike any of the trails unless you want to. You will still encounter hilly streets, but they should be doable for you.

I was there in 2019 and it is one of the most beautiful places I have been in Europe. I was there for 2 full days and was able to visit all 5 villages (each is worth a visit). I stayed in Monterosso and used the easy to get on and off ferry between the villages and the views of each town was lovely from the water. I also used the train which stops at each town and is above all of them so you go down hill to all of the towns except the middle town I think you have to hike up to from the train stop ( I might be wrong about that). I also hiked the trail between all of the towns. It was harder than Rick says it is and I am in decent shape. It was very hot which made it a little more difficult and the path was rocky in places. It was worth hiking once but when I go back (which I will do) I will use the train and the water ferry to go from town to town. The restaurants were VERY good and the views over the water especially in the evening were breathtaking and I couldn't leave the bench I was watching from for over an hour because it was so marvelous just sitting and watching the ocean and the setting sun.

Taking the train is the easiest way to go. Parking can be a huge PITA in the CT villages. The train from Lucca will likely go to La Spezia. Once there buy the CT card which is essentially a day train pass for the CT trains. Then just use the train to go from town to town-- each trip is only a few minutes. No need to hike at all, other than to wander around the streets. But realize that all of the villages are built into the hillside. There is no escaping the hills, even in the towns. Monterosso is probably the flattest of the 5. Vernazza (my favorite) has a flat area in the piazza down at the water's edge.

I forgot something important. The restaurant reviews in Rick's book are really good but as I walked each town I found some really good restaurants with GREAT balcony views of the water. I am sorry I forgot the names of those but as you walk around you will see several. It is always fun for me to also make some great discoveries on my own that are not mentioned in Rick's books. So with the ferry you start at the bottom of the towns and walk up each as far as you want to and from the train which is at the top you can go down as far as you want or can walk.

Thank you so much for the very informative replies. This has been very helpful!

We are two and a half weeks out from our trip and so excited!

Laurie Ann,

As you have a car, the best idea would be to park for the day in Monterosso as there is parking available in both parts of the town. Don't forget to pack along an International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. The carpark in the new town is probably the easiest. You may find this helpful - https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/parking-cinque-terre . You won't be able to drive through the town though as it's a ZTL area. As I recall there are different roads to access the "new town" and "old town". You'll have to do a bit of research on that, or perhaps one of the other members of the forum can provide information on that.

After you've parked for the day, you can use the frequent local trains to visit the other towns. If the ferries are operating (weather permitting), you could also use that for a view of the towns from the water. Here's some further information - https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/boat-excursions . The ferry dock is in the old town, just to the right on the other side of the tunnel. As I recall, there's a ticket booth right there and a WC next to the booth. The ferries stop in all the towns except Corniglia. Monterosso is relatively flat and it's not really a difficult walk between the two parts of town. Access to the old town is through an old tunnel.

There are good restaurants in both parts of town. One of the big favourites with many here is Cantina di Miky which is in the new town, close to the rail station. Don't confuse this with the restaurant Miky which is more of an upscale restaurant (owned by the same family).

Given your medical situation, hiking would not be a good idea. If starting in Monterosso, the Sentiero Azzuro trails have a steep climb at the beginning, and then a bit of a downhill slope leading into Vernazza. Only two of the segments are currently open, Monterosso - Vernazza and Vernazza - Corniglia. The Manarola - Riomaggiore trail would have been possible as it's mostly flat but that one has been closed since about September 2012 and won't re-open until about 2024 (that's the latest estimate but could change). And as you surmised, there are no WC's on the trails.