Manarola vs vernazza

Sorry but you won’t experience a quiet, low key live like the locals stay anywhere along the Cinque Terre.

I realize that this is a tourist area, but I know the different towns have different vibes. I just wondered if people preferred one town over the other. I know Rick likes Vernazza. But thanks for the heads up!

Well if you are talking vibes, then I would suggest Corniglia.

My husband and I rented an Air Bnb in Vernazza for several nights. We loved the early mornings and late afternoons and evenings. Our Air Bnb was actually next to the steps for the hiking path to Garden of the Gods, steps from the main strip. We avoided the crowds by renting a small boat one day (easy and sturdy and inexpensive), and brought a picnic (late September but great for swimming and boating). We toured the coastal towns from the water, just beautiful, we even saw a waterfall (we were given a map but easily found it). Our first evening there we saw a flyer and attended an opera recital at a church. All locals. In the afternoons we siesta'd and enjoyed drinks on our terrace (terrace is a must for us). So it is possible to somewhat avoid the crowds, I vote Vernazza!

I felt that Vernazza was too cramped and too crowded. Nice for a visit, but I prefer Manarola. Its beautiful and not the first place people stay (that would be Vernazza or Monterosso) so a bit less crowded, but easy access to all of the 5 towns.

Yes, Maranolla is larger and has more to explore. Vernazza is lovely but felt extremely tourist heavy to me.

What I remember especially enjoying about Vernazza is that the main plaza is right by the water at sea level. In the early morning, late afternoon, and evening, it was lovely and relazing to enjoy a coffee, gelato, or wine and gaze out at the water or people watch on the plaza. But I suspect the crowds were less a decade ago.

@cindybyle - which town did you end up in and how was your stay? We are planning a trip for next October so I would appreciate any input you can give on what crowds and weather were like for that time.

@Joan - care to share the name of the BnB you stayed at in Vernazza?

We stayed in Manarola at Aria Di Mare, one of Rick Steve's recommended accommodations. Manarola was super quiet in the mornings and evenings. We visited all 5 towns and Manarola by far seemed to be the smallest. By 8 or 9pm you would only find a couple of people roaming the street (only one street - everything else is a small alleyway). Of course, it was October, but the weather was gorgeous. Even when we got back to town around 5pm each day to shower for dinner, the place still seemed to be very light on tourists.
The other towns were packed during the day. They are bigger towns, more shops, lots of people unless you head out of the main shopping area. The one thing we missed in Manarola were an abundance of restaurants. There aren't many in Manarola and they seem to take turns being open in October. We wished there were more (healthy) options.
For those who are seeking healthier options, we found a great vegan cafe in Riomaggiore - Britta Take Away. I know they are closed through the winter, but the owner and her mom are amazing and we had a wonderful lunch there.
We found an organic poke restaurant in Vernazza - Organic Poke Vernazza. It's kind of hidden but not out of the way.
So if you want more restaurant options, you might want to stay in one of the larger towns. But if you want quiet, Manarola was perfect. Aria Di Mare had the best view in Manarola.