Staying in Levanto vs Cinque Terre

That's exactly what we did and it worked perfectly. We stayed at the Hotel Garden in Levanto and it was the perfect spot, steps to the water, shops and restaurants. I really liked the hotel, super large rooms and bathrooms (for Italy). We were able to walk to the train station and took the ride down to Monterosso and journeyed back up to Levanto, stopping at all of the towns. You can get the train info here http://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-timetable.

Have a great time!

You can buy an all day train pass for just a few dollars (I think less than 10) and you can go from town to town in the CT and spend as much time as you like.
We did this on an RS trip and visited each town and used the train a lot.
We stayed into the evening to have dinner in Vernazza too.
PS - you can add the park pass to this and trek some of the trails if you like.
We boarded in Levanto (were staying there) - it was perfect.

I stayed in Levanto on two different trips. It's a nice town in itself, even if more of a conventional beach town than the five villages that look like they are built into the side of the hills. The train station is one stop north of Monterosso. It's a slight uphill walk from the center of Levanto to the station, but that's the only minor inconvenience. I didn't have a car either visit and stayed right in the center of Levanto.

It was a bigger hassle when I stayed years ago than it would be now, just because there are so many more trains now that they have the "Cinque Terre Express" running so often. The park hiking pass that includes the trains also includes Levanto (there's a cheaper hiking pass that doesn't include the trains). Check the schedules on the Trenitalia website - there should be trains running pretty late, so you can have dinner perhaps in any of the towns and take a late train back to Levanto, which certainly has its share of restaurants too.

Mary,

Staying in Levanto is certainly an option, but as mentioned earlier there's a bit of a walk from the main part of town to the station. Parts of that walk are not particularly well lit at night, so something to keep in mind if you're returning to your hotel late at night.

You can check on the train times from the five Cinque Terre towns to Levanto on the Trenitalia website.

if you have time is a nice option to hire bikes and ride to the next town via the disused train tunnels.( near the beach) we did this while staying in levanto. we had a car, so it was a good base to visit the CT.

A few comments regarding the "disused train tunnels". It's also very easy to walk to the next town (Bonassola) as its all flat. If you want to take the train from there back to Levanto, it's a short walk from the tunnels to the station.

Although somewhat uphill, it isn't a difficult walk to the train from Levanto and I am agreeing with nearly everyone else who has replied to your thread. We, too, stayed in Levanto and enjoyed every minute of our stay. Took train to the CT towns we wanted to spend time in and for the hikes we wanted to do but it was very nice to come "home" to our hotel in Levanto and the peace and quiet. The beach is wonderful, the town definitely fun to explore and the walk through the tunnels to Bonassola beautiful, easy and fun. Lots of biking, also, if you're interested in doing that.

Thanks everyone! Levanto it is. We won't mind the walk to the train and riding the bikes sounds like a lovely option. I truly appreciate all your help.

Levanto. It will be a nice break from the crowds after visiting the CT.

I can recommend Pizzeria La Picea in Levanto.

It has won awards for its crust. Very unique and delicious. Expect a wait as it will be crowded. (Or you could get a pizza to go.)

There are also boats (some are hop-on / hop-of) and this is such a nice way to see this beautiful coast from the sea.

Really impressive !