Please sign in to post.

La Spezia to Cinque Terre (Monterosso) travel and eating

Posted by (Nashville, TN, USA) on

Hi all-
We (2 kids: 11 and 13, 2 adults) are arriving from Roma to La Spezia at 2:05 pm at the end of May. Our hotel is in La Spezia, very near the train station, I estimate we can check in, freshen up, and be ready to leave the hotel by 3. We have a 6pm reservation for a sunset boat tour that leaves from Monterosso al Mare (old town). Can anyone recommend a good way to travel to Monterosso at this time of day? Will the train be the best way? Should we plan on just hanging out in Monterosso, or maybe stop first in Vernazza and hike to Monterosso? One thing I thought of was to train to Riomaggiore and hike the easy path to Manarola (and Corniglia?), and maybe then train it to Monterosso. I have heard the trains can be very busy but I don't know what that really means in terms of wait times. I searched the forums and was hoping for more recent advice since I know the cruise ship thing has become big in CT.
I will entertain all possibilities on the best way to spend our 1st afternoon. I'd like to do something active since we will have just been on a train for 4 hours...We have a full day the following day to hike and explore but I would like to do a hike between all 5 towns, and spend some time in each town before we have to depart and I don't know if it is a good idea to do all the hiking in one day. We all watched RS' episode on CT last night and we are so excited to see it all.

Also, for a kid that's a picky eater and non-seafood eating adult, are there any restaurants you can recommend in Cinque Terre?

Thanks!

Posted by
907 posts

I don't see anyway you should do anything but head to your dinner reservation by train. You are cramming and that makes for dissatisfaction. Train is the best way to travel the 5 towns from La Spezia. Monterosso is at the end of the line so takes a little more time. Just enjoy the town and beach before your boat trip. Hike the next day to your hearts content.

Posted by
444 posts

Thanks Gordon-that does make sense. I don't want to risk missing our departure, and we have the whole following day to hike. I tend to want to optimize the sightseeing/activities and pack stuff in, but I am sure by this point (after 3 days in Rome), the family and I will be ready for a slower paced day :)

Posted by
16895 posts

The easy path from Riomaggiore to Manarola and the continued coastal hike to Corniglia are still closed (http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php). Any long hike would be better to do without that deadline looming. After arriving by train, a couple of hours exploring Monterosso is not too much. You can follow the road or other paths uphill a bit.

Posted by
444 posts

Oh thanks Laura, I didn't know that those trails were closed. I see that has been a long term closure. Bummer! I will have to look into some of the other higher trails. Thanks!

Posted by
32402 posts

As mentioned in the previous replies, travel by train from La Spezia to Monterosso is absolutely the best and most reliable method. It's a very short trip. As that train will likely be a Regionale, DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel.

The train station is in the "new town". When you arrive in Monterosso, go down the stairs to the main street and turn left. Walk along and through the tunnel, which will take you to the "old town". Just after you exit the tunnel, look to your right to find the boat docks.

There are LOTS of restaurant choices in Monterosso. A big favourite with many here is Cantina di Miky, which is close to the train station in the new town. There are also many restaurants in the "old town".

Posted by
444 posts

Thank you Ken, I do appreciate the info and restaurant suggestion. I think we will plan to take the train to Monterosso upon arrival and spend the time exploring that town before our boat ride, as I'm sure there will be plenty to see for an hour or 2. :)

Posted by
16742 posts

Another vote for Cantina di Miky! We stayed a couple doors down and would have done that one more than once but they were closed on the night we would have done dinner #2 there. And oooh, they stock some nice regional craft brews: we did spend one other evening just sampling a few of those.

Posted by
444 posts

Thanks Kathy-I do love a good craft beer! We will definitely look for that restaurant.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.