Levanto for 3 Nights in October

You could take a half hour train ride north to Santa Margherita and Rapallo on the Rivera.

A number of years ago we were on a tour and stayed in CT. Our guide remarked that her Aunt lived in Levanto. Her Aunt recommended we have dinner at a charming restaurant in Lavaggioross-Levanto. The name is Restaurant Antiga Ustaia Zita. Family owned, delicious cuisine, reasonable, and beautiful mountainous area with views of the valley. The Tiramisu was the best we've ever had in Italy. It was an unforgettable experience. zitalevanto.com

FYI, the number of ferry trips between Levanto and the CT is limited in October probably 2 daily until about Oct. 12, then 1 daily to about Oct. 24 when service will end. https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html
Your plan sounds good, but the weather on a particular day is more important than the cruise boat schedules. Cruisers are less than 20% of CT visitors, though from 10-4 they can indeed add significantly to crowding on the train and the main village street.

I'd scope out which hikes you wish to do first (if any)--use the Cinque Terre park website. http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php
Note you can also walk from Levanto to the CT.
Are you looking for something outdoorsy to do or towns to visit?

laurie,

On your first day, you could walk or bike through the old rail tunnels from Levanto to Bonassola, and then take the train back. After that take the train or walk / bike back to Levanto, freshen up in your hotel and then head to Monterosso for a fine meal in one of the nice restaurants there (it's only about a five minute trip by train from Levanto). The cruise ship hordes will be gone by about 16:00 so you should be able to explore Monterosso a bit before heading back to your hotel.

On your second day, explore the five towns using the frequent local trains. As a previous reply mentioned, the boats may not be your best way of getting around at that time of year as schedules will be reduced and the boats are weather-dependent.

Thank you for all these wonderful ideas and things to keep in mind. The links are great as well and gives us much to read and research. We are an active late 50's couple but we still work and this is vacation, so we definitely want time looking over the sea with a glass of wine or relaxing in the fall sun....in addition to being busy getting around and sightseeing.

When referring to the ferries, are these like water taxis that carry a few people or large ferry boats that carry many? Are smaller boats for hire? I thought I saw something about sunset rides also. As someone said, though, weather could be a factor.

The ferry is medium-sized, the boats hold about 150-200 people at a time, and run on a fixed schedule. They can be cancelled sometimes in whole or in part due to wind and wave conditions. There are also private smaller boat tours available in a range of options - sunset, cocktails, etc. These can be arranged dockside - especially in Monterosso - or arranged online. Try Trip Advisor Attractions for some listings. October weather can be variable, so I wouldn't commit to a particular tour until a day or two ahead.

I've stayed in the Cinque Terre three times, and I've actually stayed in Levanto each time. It's a nice town - not the "postcard charm" of the other five towns but still a pleasant town. It's very convenient by train to destinations up and down the riviera including the CT towns. The CT train pass includes Levanto.

On my last visit last May, I hiked one day from Levanto back to Monterosso (does not require the CT hiking pass, for what it's worth). This hike was not very crowded at all. It's not the best hike in the Cinque Terre, but it has some great moments. At one point, just above Monterosso, there are stunning views south down on all five CT towns.

On another day, I did take the ferry from Levanto, but I took it all the way past the five villages to Porto Venere, a nice town not connected to the others by train. It had plenty of tourists but because it's not part of one of the major hiking paths, it was probably less crowded than the others.

So on your off day you could certainly do one or both of the things I did and on the other do some of the other hikes. You can hike between Monterosso and Vernazza and between Vernazza and Corniglia (assuming those two trails are still open) - these are the most popular hikes. You could also do a much more difficult hike (but breathtakingly scenic) between Manarola and Corniglia - with a steep detour up to the village of Volastra, with a zillion steps up, up, up...and then up some more! I did this one in May too - it was more crowded than the hike from Levanto to Monterosso but surely much less crowded than the main hikes. This may have been the most rewarding hike (regarding views, anyway) of all the CT hikes I have done.

The suggestion to go north to Santa Margherita Ligure etc. on one day is not a bad suggestion either - some beautiful towns up there. Up to you what you want to do.

You talk about “cruise ship days”. Is there any website that shows what days the ships are in port, particularly the last week of Sept?

laurie,

THIS PHOTO shows what the Ferries look like in the Cinque Terre. Boarding is via a narrow ramp that extends from the bow of the boat. There's seating inside on the same deck you'll board on, as well as on the roof.

Laura, I use the website www.cruisetimetables.com to check on port schedules. Deborah