Cinque Terre Solo Traveler wants to stay near train station and people. What do you recommend?
Sep 28 - Oct 4, 2022.
I’ve searched and found many remote locations with few or no restaurants and with difficult transportation issues.
What places did you enjoy and did you find the location easier to get around?
Thanks
Cinque Terre villages are small so you will not be far from train so matter where you stay.
I stayed at Hotel Punta Mesco in Monterosso al Mare on a Rick Steves tour. It’s fairly close to the train station. I’ve also stayed at Hotel Pasquale in old Monterosso but it’s further away. Both of these are near many restaurants.
I’ve searched and found many remote locations with few or no
restaurants and with difficult transportation issues.
Yep, there are any number of accommodations in the CT that are located well outside of the villages! When you look at what's available to you for your dates, be SURE to see where they're actually located on a map.
They're likely already booked but look at La Spiaggia in Monterosso. It's not fancy but you can't beat the location: easy walk from the train station and restaurants. Owned and managed by locals. We loved it.
It may be you won't be able to find places available now for the dates you're traveling - this is still a fairly busy time to visit the Cinque Terre. You might consider staying in Levanto, the village just to the north of the Cinque Terre, one train stop north of Monterosso. Levanto is a nice town, even if not quite the same "town built into the side of the hill" appeal of the other five. I've stayed (as a solo traveler) several times in Levanto. There are plenty of restaurants in town. It may be easier to find lodging this late in Levanto that doesn't break the bank. Levano's train station is about a ten minute walk slightly up the hill from the town, which is down by the water. Just look on a map before booking to make sure your lodging is in town not up the hill from the station.
If you get a train pass for the Cinque Terre, it will include Levanto. The tourist boat that stops in most of the Cinque Terre villages also has some service up to Levanto.
You can hike from Levanto back to Monterosso if you want. It's an OK hike - probably less crowded than the other hikes between the five villages.
I was in Levanto around this time. The beaches still draw those of us who are beach-inclined at this time of the year - it was not crowded, just pleasant. Plenty of restaurants, as I recall, and Levanto is a good starting place to visit CT villages.
Bonassola is another possibility to check.
Many years ago we stayed at Hotel Baia, simple but clean and comfortable, and very close to the train station in Monterosso.
Good luck!
Monterosso would probably have the most people. We stayed in the old town and would do so again- it is about a 15min walk from the train station. We took the boat ( it leaves from the old town) to Vernazza one evening and to Riomaggiore the next day- train back from both.
Tom,
Unless you stay at a small hotel outside of town, you will have people around. There are a few hotels close to the train station, but don't be limited by that. Keep in mind that Monterosso consists of an "old town" and a "new town", there are hotels in both parts and it's very easy to get around on foot.
A few hotels that you could consider are.....
Those are all within walking distance to numerous restaurants. One of the favourite restaurants with many here is Cantina di Miky which is right on the main street close to the station.
I don't know which hotels and restaurants will still be open at that time of year, but I suspect that most will be open. For more suggestions, have a look at the RS Italy guidebook.
Thanks to all who replied. You helped me get to know Cinque Terre better. You added pieces of information.
Cinque Terre reminds me of Boston if it was on the side of a mountain with colorful buildings.
Boston is an old city that happened without grids or planning or answering questions like how do you get there from here?
I reserved a room I at the Hotel Villa Adriana in new Monterosso.
Making it clear I was a solo traveler, I found a one twin bed room. You’re right. Rooms go fast.
Tom,
It's great to hear that you've found a room. Hotel Villa Adriana is an elegant hotel and the single room I had was clean and comfortable. As I recall they served a nice breakfast although I'm not sure if that is changed in the post-pandemic era. The hotel is located along one of the roads leading into town and it's an easy walk to the beach and the train station. The walk from there to the old town is a bit longer but mostly level and not difficult at all.
Enjoy your time there!
