Ok, we currently will be in murren Switzerland for three days and have a looong train ride to cinque terre for just two nights before on to Rome. I need to decide if cinque terre is worth it or if we should avoid it and spend more time in murren and go straight to Rome. Can you all advise and share your opinion?
Posted by
San Diego, California
4882 posts
When is this trip? How many folks? Any mobility issues? Size of group? How about going to Lake Como instead, and riding the Bernina Express? Would that be worth considering?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Great questions. In mid July. Three adults and two teenage boys. No mobility issues. We already have things reserved but thinking cinque terre may be too touristy and maybe not worth it!? Never been to como. Would bernina express take us TO como from murren? And what activities would be enjoyable there for teenage boys? I’m thinking lake como would be nice for my husband and I someday.
Just need to decide if cinque terre is worth it (currently we are staying in riomaggiorre) or staying put in Switzerland.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4882 posts
Quick question- what would your boys be doing in the CT?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
We plan to hike! Maybe swim
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32222 posts
I suppose that's somewhat a matter of opinion and for me it would be worth it, despite the crowds. If this turns out to be another very busy year for the Cinque Terre, you'd need to get hotel reservations soon, as they may already be booking up. I normally stay in Monterosso as it's the largest of the five towns and therefore has the greatest number of hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities, and also the best beaches of the five.
Given your overall itinerary, a stop in the Cinque Terre for a few days is a good idea, as it breaks up what would be an even longer trip from the Berner Oberland to Rome. However two nights as that will only give you one full day to explore the area.
Hiking is certainly an option as there's an extensive network of trails in that area. Note that the popular Sentiero Azzurro trails require an inexpensive Park Pass to hike, and not all segments are open. This website provides some information - https://www.incinqueterre.com/en/trail-number2-blue .
Also note that some facilities on the beaches in Monterosso are "pay-per-use" and some are free. Your hotel can provide more information on that.
Posted by
4 posts
Just came back from there and I would stay in Levanto. Technically it's not part of the 5 towns. But it's right there and like ten minutes away by train. It has a nice beach. It's less crowded and has everything you could want or need. Two minute walk to the beach from the Hotel Primavera. The hotel is about a 10-15 walk from the train station. If you stay there and crave a reasonably priced burger try Mad Max pub (5 min walk). Also it's 5 minutes from a self-service laundry mat (soap gets added by the machine). The hotel rooms are good sized and nicer than the photos online and the breakfast is excellent. Also, go early for the hikes (hit the trail before 9am), before the cruise ships people get there. Otherwise, the crowds are heinous to the point of dangerous at times.