I'm visiting CT in late June (three weeknights). I originally planned on staying in Monterosso but I'm getting concerned about all the discussion of big crowds (and there's going to be at least one large cruise ship in La Spezia two out of my three days in the area, plus large ones most days in Livorno).
I know Levanto isn't one of the five towns, but it's on the train line and close to Monterosso, and I thought it might be a less crowded choice. Thoughts?
Wherever you can find a room that you like.
I wouldn't worry about the cruise ship. Most cruiseders like to invade Vernazza anyhow.
we used levanto as a base, as we had a car, and worked great. we caught both the train and ferry from there to the other towns, very easy. we also hired bikes and rode through the tunnels to the next town, along the disused train line etc.
hope this helps.
Levanto can be a good choice when rooms within the CT itself are booked up But if you're going to be spending most of your prime sightseeing hours in and around the 5 villages, it won't help you avoid the mass of daytrippers; you'll just be one of the same.
The CT is quieter in the early mornings and evenings when the tours and daytrippers aren't around. Go ahead and stay in Monterosso if that's where you'd really like to be.
The cruise passengers are usually gone by 16:00 anyways. If you are hiking the trails during the day you will miss most of the crowds, although the Sentiero Azzuro can be a conga line. Go to a higher trail to escape.
