Things to do at Cinque Terre

That is enough. Try the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza to get this view
https://www.incinqueterre.com/en/vernazza

The charm magic romance is at night when all the daytrippers cruise ship crowds are gone

Depends on your desires. 5 Terre are small villages with not much to do except hike and sight see. So, a couple of nights (1 full day) might be enough, or not. One thing I like to do is see the villages from the water. Take a boat from Riomaggiore to Monterosso and you get to see all the towns, then take it back (or reverse), or, you can get off on one end and take the train to all the villages and visit each one the way back.

I think 2-3 days is adequate. It is nice to travel between the towns by train or boat to see each if them. If you’re hikers, seems like most people do the main hikes (if open) in a day. I found Cinque Terre to be worth seeing, but didn’t really need a lot of the there because there were so many tourists.

If you make it to Monterosso be sure to eat at Belvedere restaurant on the beach, best pesto pasta in Italy.

Do you mean this April 19? It may be hard to find a room at this late date.

Why are you going? What is it that you want to do there?

If you're going simply because RS says you should then one day should be sufficient.

The Cinque Terre is about hiking from village to village. We stayed three nights to give us two full days and hiked the whole trail. Parts of it have been closed since the terrible floods a few years ago. The other thing we loved was eating the local seafood, each town had a specialty.

Thank you for all the replies. We read about it and saw few videos and we think is the best way to enjoy the coast. Yes this April 19th is when we arrive in IT and we want to finish our vac with a relax couple days in Cinque Terre. I will take the boat back to Monterosso and try the restaurant Belvedere on the beach. If I cant reserve a hotel i think ill take my chances. Thank you for the link !
Thank you !!!

We and other friends (on different dates) were able to find a place after we arrived. Many people don’t list their rooms, but are open to folks who show up.

We read about it and saw few videos and we think is the best way to enjoy the coast.

I've seen the RS videos. It's kind of like seeing the promo videos for the clean, uncrowded Disney World when the reality is far different.

CT has gotten overrun with day trippers from the cruise ships. Early morning and in the evening are better, but you need to have some realistic ideas of what to expect. This and this and this point out the new reality.

I object. The Cinque Terre have not been ruined. It's a giant National Park with miles of beauty without a soul most of the time in most of the acreage for most of the year. Just because the main streets of the villages and the trains are overcrowded at times does not mean ruined. Anyone who takes the time to learn about the area and plans well can have a great time.

In spite of some crowds it is still a UNESCO World Heritage site.

I do suggest if it is a warm and sunny day you NOT have some kind of drink with Prosecco at lunch at one of the outdoor cafes, hahaha.... You might miss the afternoon!

When you say take your chances do you mean going there without a reservation? I would not think that would be a good plan except in the dead of winter.

I object. The Cinque Terre have not been ruined.

Ok

I love Cinque Terre. We are going for our 6th time and staying 4 nights in Vernazza. By staying there we have gotten to know some locals and it feels like our second home. I would live here if I could.

Thank you all for your comments, we decided to stay in Riomagiore. Still struggling in what is the best way to get there since we have a rental car. I know about the limited free and pay parking in Riomagiore but the other option is to drive to Monterosso leave the car there and take the train with our bags to Riomagiore. Any suggestions ?

Yes this April 19th is when we arrive in IT and we want to finish our
vac with a relax couple days in Cinque Terre.

It sounds like you will be at the end of your trip by the time you hit the CT. Where are you flying out of? I'm thinking it might work just to turn in the rental car in La Spezia, take the train to Riomaggiore and then onward to your city of departure. It would save you a couple of days rental/parking fees on a car that will just sit while you are in the CT?

Leaving the car in Monterosso is unrealistic. Leave the car either in the parking under La Spezia Centrale Station or in a private garage 200 m. away : http://privateparking.weebly.com/.