How are the crowds in cinque terre during june? Are the smaller towns like lerici and moneglia any better?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Probably, but they're not in the Cinque Terre...
June isn't too bad. Midday there are school groups, but things don't really get crowded until later in the summer.
Posted by
Lebanon
711 posts
We were in the Cinque Terre in May and it was very, very crowed during the day. If you pick a home base like Vernazza, it is very nice in the morning and in the evening. You can take the train to another village early and come home late. We stayed 8 days in Vernazza and loved it.If anyone tells you there are not huge crowds there, they are wrong. The main crowds, though, are the day-trippers who hike through the 5 villages in 1 day. You must get reservations. I am sorry ,but I disagree with those who say it is a good idea to just show up find a last minute room.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We were there in late May this year. There were a lot of people and the trains were quite busy. My wife and I both mentioned that we were really glad that we weren't there in late June when the crowds really hit. RS does write about just showing up. We saw small lines of people in the numerous rental placement shops. Lots had this certain blue book with yellow lettering on the cover. It's wise to make advance reservations during the high tourist season in the CT. It's all worth it though. Very compact and scenic.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
80 posts
What about crowds in mid-September? We'll be there 2 days, a sunday and monday. What is the best town to stay in?
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Dear Jenny,
Mid Sept is much less crowded. Any of the five work well for the overnight stays, since all 5 are so close to each other. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8050 posts
We were there in late May in 2000, busy, but still not crowded. Made it there again in Late May, 2002. It was shoulder to shoulder on the train platforms and some streets. Can only imagine what it is like now. Plan to be near there in 2008, in June; but will pass. To be fair, as was mentioned, the largest crowds are daytrippers and groups of them, at night and in early morning most clear out, leaving a fairly pleasant experience.
Posted by
Morro Bay, California, USA
57 posts
We stayed in Vernazza last May, which began quietly in the mid-week. On Saturday, the town swelled with day-trippers, but by then we were riding the boat to other towns, and strolling the CT Trail. I was not bothered by the extra people, but I still loved the peacefulness at night without the crowds, and during mid-week. I assume it will be more crowded in June; so try to hit CT mid-week and stay a couple of nights. We visted all the CT towns, and absolutely, hands-down loved Vernazza the best (though dinner was lovely at La Lampara in Riomaggiore).