Cinque Terre w/ no reservations?

Interesting question. There is a small industry in some CT towns where you show up and they find you a room. I tease on this site about seeing many people in these shops holding little blue travel books with yellow lettering (RS book).

In truth and from testimonials on this site, it could be a strategy. There are many many places in the CT that do not have websites or email. And, everybody in the CT seems to have a relative or knows somebody with a room to rent. Thus, the reason for these rental agency shops.

There have been lots of messages on this site from travelers who have done this that have scored a small, clean room with gorgeous views that you cannot find on the internet. You have to show up and get lucky. Having a room or two to rent out during the high season is great extra income for the residents there. Sure beats fishing income.

Of course, there is a downside to this strategy but what's travel without adventure.

I once found a great 3 room apt. with sea view in Riomaggiore sans reservation for 6 nights in April. We like staying in Riomaggiore, but I think any of the villages would make a suitable base.

To find a room it is best to arrive early in the day. Ten am is not too early. The people I have observed having a difficult time finding lodging are those looking for a room at 6 pm on a Saturday evening. The first time I stayed in the CT I arrived by train and walked a couple of hundred yards to one of Rick's recommended hotels (Agave) without a reservation. They had a room available; I've been staying there ever since when I am in the area. I think it is best to call ahead, even if it is early in the day you want to arrive. All five towns are terrific; people do have their favorites. Riomaggiore has a few rental places along the main street that handle rooms in the town. You should be just fine there. There is an elevator to the top of town from the train station for those, like me, who don't relish unneccesary uphill climbs. Riomaggiore is just as picturesque as Vernazza and should be less affected by train noise.

I was there in October.

We got off the train (2 adults, three children) in Vernazza and were approached by a number of people with rooms to rent. We went to one of the places but it was too small (would have been dirt cheap though), so we continued to a hotel that was an RS recommendation.

We went in and asked what they had for five. A woman walked out in the street. She had a conversation with several other women who appeared from various buildings. She said they had an apartment about 50 meters away (in Italy it's always 50 meters). We went to the apartment. It was perfect (I usually give a pass/fail grade to our lodging, this one passed with flying colors). It wasn't as cheap as the first but was still very affordable.

I usually call ahead in the morning for accomodations. This is a rare time that I didn't even do that. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with the same strategy in the height of tourist season.

It totally depends on whether you're going in high season or off season. If high season, you'd be crazy to just show up without reservations, IMHO. The CT are extremely popular and crowded during high season.

I agree with Michael. I've been following some German discussion boards and heard repeatedly how crowded the area has become - to the point that travelers simply decided to skip the entire area in high season. And Germans are used to crowds and don't mind them!