Planning travel in Italy for fall 2026. Where is the best place to look for overnight options in the cinque terre area for two nights in late September? Last time we stayed in Vernazza with our Rick Steves group and our charming hotel was at the end of a very long, steep set of stairs. We are old now so something with fewer stairs would be ideal. We will be arriving by train.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6810 posts
Look at Monterosso between the train station and the beach. Use booking.com for hotels with elevator, or just ask for a room on the lowest floor.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17717 posts
Take a look at Hotel La Spiaggia in Monterosso. It's an easy walk from the train station and has some sea-view balcony rooms (do your best to land one of those!) Furnishings are not fancy and rooms are not overly spacious but it's clean and very popular due to location very close to the beach, restaurants, etc. It also has an elevator, and I believe breakfast is still included in the tariff. Family-run property.
Yummy Cantina di Miky is nearly next door (open seasonally; closed winter)
https://www.cantinadimiky.it/eng/index.html
We had a nice stay there as did several other couples we know.
https://www.laspiaggiamonterosso.com/hotel-monterosso-liguria
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32569 posts
You could also look at Hotel Pasquale, which is in the "old town" and a fairly easy and level walk from the train station - https://www.hotelpasquale.it/en/ . They have an elevator and are within easy walking distance to lots of good restaurants.
I normally stay at their "sister" hotel, Hotel Villa Steno but it's a slight walk up the hill so might not be as convenient for you. I normally take a taxi to Villa Steno from the station, and then just walk while I'm staying there.
Posted by
CA, USA
1389 posts
The Village Italy RS tour stays in Levanto these days, the first town north of the CT. It is flat so that addresses your mobility concerns, and the CT is easily reached by the train (5 minute trip).
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Good idea, John. I’ll check out options in Levanto
Posted by
Portland, OR
474 posts
Another vote for Levanto. We stayed there this spring on the Village Italy tour. The town is pretty flat, not nearly as crowded and a pleasant surprise. Much more of a real town as opposed to a tourist destination.
Posted by
SoCal
2205 posts
Although many here depreciate La Spezia, we love the place. The old town is pretty flat, you have the options of train and ferry to the Cinque Terre villages, and the restaurants in La Spezia are wonderful. The Mussolini-era architecture off the Via XXIV Maggio is great fun. And the marina is a great place to window shop for your next superyacht.
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
455 posts
I would stay in Monterosso old town. It’s relatively flat and easy to walk, and you’re on one of the villages. If your goal is to visit Cinque Terre, it makes sense to stay in Cinque Terre. If you stay in Levanto or La Spezia, you’ll spend more time in Levanto or La Spezia than the villages you came to see.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
2101 posts
Or perhaps Manarola. We stayed at Hotel Marina Piccola. About a 5-minute flat walk from the train station to the hotel. Except there are some steps to walk up to a piazza.
Posted by
3 posts
Thanks for all the input!! We have finally booked a room in Monterossa, but the two RS's preferred hotels were all full. At least we have a room now and that is great. We were last there in the 1990's when rooms were not so in demand. Things have really changed! At least we'll there on one day the cruise ships aren't in port nearby.