Which Cinque Terre town is the best to sleep in?

I like the Hotel (Mueble) Agave in Monterosso. It's in Rick's Italy book. It is budget priced, near the train station, clean, across the street from the beach, walkable to all parts of town and the train station. Reservations are by phone or fax. I've stayed there many times. All but two rooms are ensuite and most have refrigerators and views of the beach and Mediterranean.

Hi Patty. For us Vernazza was the clear jewel of the Cinque-Terre towns. The main square, right on the water is beyond description. Vernazza is much more intimate, car free, and in the evening around 5 pm the bell tower rings out Ave Maria. Lots to choose from but try http://www.mariacapellini.com/. Maria and Giacomo have 2 flats right on the main square. You step out your front door and your in the square on the ocean. The sea wall in Vernazza is lined with park benches and seats on the breakwater. We lingered for hours, and its perfectly accpetable to bring your own wine and food. We stayed at the Cozy Studio and would highly recommend it. No direct view, but its right outside your door. For what its worth we found Monterosso to be much busier with tour groups, car traffic and just more hustle and bustle. Obviously a personal choice.

We really liked Vernazza also, but it is hard to get accommodations unless you book way ahead . We stay in Toninno Basso's rooms and he books up 8-12 months ahead of time.As you probably know, Rick has made this a very , very popular part of Italy. We are photographers and like to stay longer to photograph. It is fun to stay in Vernazza and go to other villages for dinner, or take a boat ride. Part of the magic is lingering there after the hikers have all gone and have dinner and some wine on the breakfront. It is calmer at night. Another place you should go is to Il Pirata restaurant. It is at the top of the town where Toninno Basso's rooms are.

In whichever town you plan on staying, I would book right now! We are staying in Manarola and are quite pleased--but that wasn't our original plan--by the time we tried to reserve a room, all of the original places we wanted to stay were booked.

If you decide on Vernazza and you want a total splurge, check out La Malà. It's set high on a cliff, with a stone terrace. It has only 4 rooms. Unlike most everywhere in Cinque Terre, it has air conditioning and breakfast is included (at a cafe directly below La Malà).

the ostello 5-terra in manarola is very clean, quite, and has a great view. look at their website though, as there are some rules for staying there. manarola is nice though because it is right next to riomaggiore and has a very pleasant short easy (paved walkway) hike between the two towns.