My husband and I will be traveling by car from Santa Margareta Liguire to Monterosso in Cinque Terre in September. We're getting cold feet as we are reading many comments about how scary the road is. Any thoughts to calm our nerves?
There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Take the A12 freeway toward Livorno. Pick up the ticket at the dispenser at the toll booth, like you would do at a parking lot.
Exit at Levanto. Pay toll. Follow directions to Levanto.
Once you reach Levanto, there is a roundabout. Take the 3rd exit (basically left turn) to Cinque Terre, Monterosso. After a while there is a cross roads. Straight to lungomare Fegina (new town). Left to old Monterosso (centro storico). I don't know which part of town your hotel is. You need to ask.
If in the new town, go to Fegina, park on the lot on the beach (pay parking lot).
If you need to go to the old town follow directions to the centro storico. The two story Loreto car park just before entering town is where you park.
The road is not scary, but is narrow in the last half mile or so, but actually not too bad.
When two vehicles cross in a narrow street, the one going uphill has the right of way. The one going downhill must find a spot on the side to stop temporarily and let the vehicle going uphill pass first.
You do not need a car in SML nor Monterosso. Take the train.
One other point to mention.....
Should you arrive at the "wrong" end of Monterosso from the one you intended, you will not be allowed to drive through the town. You'll have to return to the highway and take the long route to the other side. There's a gate at the entrance to the old town (downhill from the car park) and travel beyond the gate will take you into a ZTL area.