For a late Sept/early Oct. timeframe, how will the crowds differ on the weekend vs. during the week? It makes slightly more sense in our itinerary to visit Cinque Terre on a weekend, but it's not wholly inconvenient to move it to mid-week either. Thoughts?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11339 posts
If you can get the lodging you like on a weekend, you'll be fine. The villages tend to be a little more crowded weekends, and Trail #2 will get more traffic, but there are other trails.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15204 posts
Lodging at the Cinque Terre is limited, therefore you might have more availability on weekdays (earlier in summer, like July and August, it wouldn't make much difference, because it would be busy regardless). However that doesn't mean that you won't be able to find accommodations on weekends. It means that you need to book well ahead. Monterosso has more options, being the largest village.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
Honestly, if I was going back, I would do it thru the week...in 2008, we were there on a Mon/Tues (Sept 23/24); in 2012, we were there on a Sat/Sun (Sept 22/23...hmmm...almost exactly the same!). Now, I know the CT seems to get more popular every year, and after the floods in 2011, people seemed keen to visit in 2012 (part of the reason we returned)...but the amount of people on the weekend we were there was just...disheartening. The trains and train stns were crowded, the trails weren't bad, but the crowds just...brought us down after we remembered how laid back and relaxing it was in 2008. If I could have rejiggered the days, knowing what I know, I would have changed it for sure. Hubby was trying to figure out why - that's when I pointed out to him that before, we were there thru the week. But hey, seeing CT anytime is better then not seeing it at all! So whatever works for your schedule. That was our experience tho...
That being said - my CT tip - do not, I repeat DO NOT use the washrooms at the train stn in Monterosso (unless they have gotten actual toilets instead of the porcelain hole in the ground - OK for men, not so much for the ladies...trust me)...and carry a half roll of toilet paper or package of moist wipes...I learned the hard way...when there was no tp or paper towel at the very busy public washroom in Manarola...thank God it was only #1.
Posted by
OP
Washington DC
50 posts
Thanks for the input guys. Nicole I really appreciate you sharing your experience! Makes me lean towards going during the week if possible. I know it will be busy regardless, but slightly less chaos is preferable.