Moneglia vs Vernazza-Cinque Terre

Vernazza is a great small place to kick back, relax and enjoy Lake Como. Not a great deal to do there, but there are a few things. In addition, you can use it as a base to take trips to other towns on the lake. The RS guide book will have more details about what to see and do around Lake Como.

Are you asking about Vernazza or Verona? Verona is near Lake Como, Vernazza is in the Cinque Terre :)

I'm asking about Vernazza in Cinque Terre, vs potentially staying in Moneglia, which is slightly north up the coast but seems easy to get to Cinque Terre if we stay there. Thanks!

I think TC was thinking of Varenna.

I've stayed in Moneglia in youth 2 or 3 times. I've visited Vernazza many times, but always from nearby Forte dei Marmi, where I used to spend my summers, or even all the way from Florence.

I loved Moneglia. It was a peaceful vacation spot, secluded in a small valley on the sea, separated by mountains from the rest of the region. If you drive to it, you have to go through a very long dark tunnel from Sestri to reach it. The tunnel is so narrow, that traffic direction is alternated by a street light.

Moneglia was like a Shangri-La for me. Not too many tourists at the time. Like Vernazza, it's in the list of "Most beautiful villages of Italy" by the Borghi D'Italia Club, but Moneglia doesn't have the horrible crowds Vernazza gets nowadays.

Vernazza is also beautiful, and very famous. But with fame comes crowds.

It's up to you.

debbie in october 2015 my wife and I visited CT and chose to stay in Moneglia to be out of the "mix" a bit. For us it was a great fit. I love the B&B we chose and the hosts were awesome, it was beautiful and private. Moneglia was a very short train ride to the CT villages (15 minutes or so) and is a much more laid back village compared to some of CT villages. Moneglia also allows for easy access north along the coast, we visited and hiked on paths north of Moneglia and found them less crowded and equally as awesome, dont get me wrong though we loved the CT. Here was one draw back for us. If we had been in say Vernazza I think it would have been easier to go back to our B&B in the afternoon and rest up/nap and then hit the CT villages in evening. We felt after our day of hiking and sightseeing after we returned to Moneglia we wanted to hunker down for the night, it MAY have been easier to go back out in the evening along the CT as there is not much evening activity in Mongelia. You can see that as a plus or a minus. Our B&B was a mile or so from the trainstation and was much of an uphill hike, hehe welcome to the CT!!, but no hike up no great view so its a give and take.....I would stay in Monegila again but only because we had such a wonderful time with our B&B hosts and they were so great and always were available to pick us up at the train station. Sorry if I have argued both sides of the Moneglia/Vernazza argument, but I am conflicted. We stayed at http://www.sussurridimare.it/ Also if your are a beach person there is a beach at Moneglia.

Thank you, Roberto da and jarredd for your thoughts and experiences. I have a couple friends who have been to Vernazza, but no one with experience in Moneglia so it's good to hear about that. Yes, there are pros and cons to each and that's the decision we have to make, which side is more what we are looking for. Without the information it is hard to make a decision so thank you for taking the time to respond - it is very helpful!!

This past June we were in the Cinque Terre area and decided to stay in Moneglia. After seeing the crowds in the classic five villages we were SO glad we did. Moneglia is only a two train, 15-20 min ride away but worlds away in comparison. Very laid back and, although it is a beach town, it was quiet and easy to relax in. Be sure to make a reservation and eat at Assirto. A great dining experience. (Read about it on Tripadvisor) After dinner take a bottle of wine and facing the water, turn right and walk up the path that runs along the beach to a vista that looks back at the town. It is a beautiful sight to see.

Thanks, Terry, for your information!