Hello, My husband and I will going on a road trip next October. We are planning to stay two full days in Cinque Terre. I know that having a car is not convenient in this area but we have no choice. I have researched hotels and rentals through Airbnb, Homeaway and Vrbo who offer parking. There are a few in Monterosso and Riomaggiore. There is also the choice of La Spezia and Levanto. We would like to be able to hire a boat and be able to see the five villages from the coast line. We would like to stay as close as possible to the villages. I would appreciate to hear what your choice would be or any experiences you had. Also would appreciate lodging recommendations (with parking). Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Chicago
7913 posts
Stay in Monterosso it has the most lodging options. And if you found lodging with parking take it.
Posted by
seattle
2048 posts
We also had a car in the Cinque Terre. Monteroso is the best vilage for places with parking, plus lots of restaurant choices. As for visiting other villages, Vernanzza (sp) was my favorite. But your idea of taking a boat trio between villages is a good idea. Also taking the train between villages might be fun.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
If you can’t find accommodations with parking (which are rare), Monterosso and Riomaggiore have the most public parking options.
I also recommend Monterosso.
Parcheggio Loreto Terrazza (Old Town Monterosso)
SP38, 112, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy
+39 0187 187 5303
https://goo.gl/maps/yWWqQDarySk
Fegina Parking (New town Monterosso)
SP38, 68, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy
+39 0187 187 5303
https://goo.gl/maps/n6jMGgHQZKM2
Posted by
Boston
1710 posts
Driving to the villages is no fun, even to Monterosso - the 'easiest' . The roads are narrow with a zillion sharp curves. Dump the car and take the train, you can't use it to get around anyway, and the lots in Monterosso are as expensive as in La Spezia.
There's a modern secure 'Centro Park' facility under the La Spezia Centrale train station (23€ or 18€ with reservation per day), http://www.mobpark.eu/it/park-centro-stazione-6/info.html
Just 200 m. away from Centrale Station there's also a 'Private Parking' facility (12€ per day) http://privateparking.weebly.com/
Wherever you end up, don't leave anything overnight in the car that essential to your trip and don't ever leave any belongings visible from outside the vehicle, even parking facilities that say they are secure with video surveillance.
Posted by
OP
Washington, DC
19 posts
Thank you all for your replies. Becky, do you remember the name of the hotel where you stayed?
Posted by
Maryland US
60 posts
My husband and I visited Cinque Terre in October 2017. We stayed at the Hotel Abetaia in Levanto. It was a wonderful experience and quite affordable. The owner lives on site and is a delightful person. The food was superb. The room was really good. We drove to the village of Levanto where there is a train station and went from village to village through the day. Driving in the area is not for sissies, that's all I can say. You are choosing a great time to visit, as the crowds were not bad and the weather was perfect. Have fun!
Posted by
OP
Washington, DC
19 posts
francella_shelley, Thank you! I will research.
Posted by
seattle
2048 posts
We actually stayed at a b&b in Vernanza, but I've had several friends who stayed in Monterrosa and really liked it. We had a handicap parking permit and a wheelchair so were able to park at the Vernanza parking lot. We were there in October when the roads were not too busy.