i have been reading lately about the crowds in cinque terre, and do not doubt it is a popular place, however I check the webcams frequently at different times of day and have yet to see the crowds.
Have a look. herecinque terre web cams
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7183 posts
I don't think it's so much 'where' the crowds are (they're everywhere) but rather 'when'. It's still pretty early in the season for the CT. Biggest crowds will be June-Sept, May and Oct not so much, Nov through April are uncrowded, but then the weather isn't as nice and lots of places are not open as it's the off-season.
Posted by
33 posts
I was there in Sept. 2011 before the torrential rain. I don't remember any big crowds. I saw a tour from a cruise ship. We had a most enjoyable time. We did the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza and snorkeled at Manarola. I highly recommend Marina Piccola hotel in Manarola.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Cruise ships that dock in La Spezia probably have the largest single impact, but more ships dock further south in Livorno. The way I experienced crowds last September was, for instance, lines to board the ferries, but still enough room for everyone to board who wanted to.
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1251 posts
I can only speak for Vernazza, during the day tour groups come in, as we sit at Blue Marlin Bar and watch them, while eating our pizza or anchovies and drinking wine, yes it is crowded. But not for long as they dissipate into the town. Doesn't bother us. Nighttime is empty and we hang with locals (having been there before).