It wasn't crowded at all in October and the weather was gorgeous!
October 3 years ago.
I had a 21 day trip planned in 2008 but had to cancel. After the recession, a new 17 day version of the trip was planned - and was fabulous.
Florence, a week at a villa in Tuscany (very inexpensive), an overnight trip to the CT during that week, train to Venice with 3 nights on the Grand Canal, flight to Naples, ferry to Capri, ferry to Sorrento, private driver for the Amalfi coast, Naples again, train to Rome. 3 days in Rome and then flights out. Incredible trip. Almost perfect in every way.

Not crowded anywhere. The only time we felt crowded on the entire trip were two places in Rome - the Trevi fountain and in the Sistine Chapel. The rest of the time? Wonderful!

Venice wasn't crowded (mid-October). The weather was delightful - sunny and warm. I wore "summer clothes" most of the trip. Florence and Rome were HOT. As in southern US summer hot, but in mid to late October.

Thank you on the photos compliment, but no. No crowds. I can post more street photos, but simply no crowds. Restaurants were a delight as well.

3 years ago.

If you love to hike by all means go to Cinque terre. I went twice in July. Yes the towns were crowded by day but we set out hiking in the morning and surprisingly the trails were not packed at 8:30-9 am. Monterosso to Vernazza is one of the prettiest parts. My friend had the Sunflower guide which was helpful when we needed to deviate from the main trail. We hiked Riomaggiore to Porto Venere which was long - 5 hours but we barely saw anyone. Then took the boat from Porto venere to riomaggiore. There were lines for the ferries in the 5 terre towns but easy to get it at Porto Venere.
I also went a second time just overnight and did the Monterosso - Vernazza hike both ways then had a delightful dinner overlooking the water at Monterosso. I think the restaurant was called l’ancora. Prebook your dinner with a view.

I haven't read all the posts on this thread, but FWIW, remember that if you give yourselves only 1 day for the Cinque Terre, and if the weather is bad (as can happen at that time of year), the trails might be closed. If they are a priority, consider giving the area a third night.

It's been several years, since we climbed the stairs from Manarola to Corniglia. I will say, this hike might not have been my choice, if I'd known how strenuous it is. Thank goodness it was early May, so the trails were not crowded and the sun was not too hot. There were beautiful vistas, and it was worth the trouble, but all those stairsteps upward are not for the faint of heart.
I walked it with DD. She decided to walk to the next town, but I bailed out, in favor of taking the train from Corniglia to the next town, to meet her. This was a mistake. It was such a long walk down the stairs to the train station, I could have just as well walked to the next town with DD. Live and learn!
We saw so many people walking the CT in flip-flops! I was wondering how on earth they were managing on all those stone steps, which could also be very slippery.
So, plan your hikes and dress appropriately. Carry water, for sure. Wear a hat.
We had stayed three nights in lovely Santa Margherita Ligure, and day-tripped by train to CT. Not sure it would be an easy day-trip from Florence.

When I was there, park rangers would not allow people onto the trails if they weren't properly dressed, and that included proper footwear (e.g., hiking shoes).

Against all advice, we visited Cinque Terre in July (2016).
We stayed in Vernazza.
As the crowds poured out of the train and funnelled into the alley down to the harbour, I did feel a bit deflated.

But, we figured early morning and later in the evening it would clear out, and so it did.
Really nice having an early morning coffee, watching the stall holders set up their produce.



Vernazza in the morning
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Stall holder
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Setting up




So, our strategy was to walk from Vernazza to Monterosso early

the path can’t accommodate a lot of walkers, so this worked for us.

One day we took the boat to Portovenere, so lovely to see the coastline from the water.


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Entering the harbour at Portovenere


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Portovenere


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Stunning coastline, castle walls.


We enjoyed a wine tasting at Vernazza Wine Experience, and the little alleys were actually quiet off the main ‘road’.

Had great meals.

Overall, a great few days and we are very happy we visited.

Just adjusted our expectations and worked out how to not be surrounded by the crowds.

In reply to post 4:

Cinque means "five" and Terre stays for "villages".
The 5Terre trails connect these 5 villages at different levels of altitude. As all 5 are seashore villages, the upper trails are a continuous up and down. Therefore, only the lower itinerary gets crowded/overcrowded.

I would not call Corniglia a "seashore village" -- it is on a promontory high above the sea.

It's lnot even 300 ft above sea level.
But that doesn't change the fact that some of the upper trails may be strenuous for people who are not used to hike.

Good to know, kja. When we were there, no parks rangers were anywhere in sight.

We visited the Cinque Terre back in 2000 before it was a "park" with fees and rangers. Stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure (which we loved), trained down to Riomaggiore and hiked back to Vernazza. Stopped in Corniglia and had a long memorable lunch and pooped out at Vernazza. Had a gelato and took the train back. We were very disappointed that the boats were not running every day of the week from Vernazza so we didn't get to have the coastal view that way, but the hike was fantastic. We were there the second week of May and it was a warmer than normal May so we were sorry we started hiking about 10:30 am. It was rather warm, but not bad. The trails were kind of busy in spots but mostly we were on our own. We got a major kick of the women hiking in high heels and dresses! Looked deadly to me.

I will be back in SML in May again this year and am thinking about hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza if weather is good. How long is this section?

The Monterosso to Vernazza section is 3.7 KM and takes about 2 hours according to the park website. I think 1.5 hrs might be a better estimate.

Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre - Visit the Park - 592-4 (SVA2) Vernazza - Monterosso

Note that on this website it said the trail is currently closed. But I saw on another website that the trail should be open in April (barring bad weather/landslides).

Grazie mamamia! I'm surprised it says that the trail is closed. For a long time the part from Monterosso to Vernazza has been the only part that has been open! Maybe they mean the other sections of the trail.

As the website indicates, the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza generally takes a bit longer than the reverse direction. I took closer to 3 hours -- but I ran into unexpected drenching rain about half way through (by distance), and the next two hours were among the most terrifying of my life, as the trail turned into slippery mud tilting into the abyss. It was beautiful, though, and I did survive!

With today's selfie-taking mobs, I'd plan extra time.

Kja, thanks for answering a question I had. I was wondering if one direction of that segment was easier than the other! Yes, the thought of the crowds makes the hike a maybe.

Two segments of the trail were closed when we were there.
Daniele had a couple recreate "the kiss" since the statue was not accessible -
"Via dell’Amore is the walk that brings you from Riomaggiore to Manarola – part of the famous hike between the 5 villages it is by far the most accesible, being even wheelchair accesible. ‘Lovers Trail’ winds slowly along the cliff taking you past locks that lovers have long since attached to the fence and the famous lovers seat just before you reach Manarola."
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"borrowed" photo (credit on photo)
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I hike Monterosso to Vernazza in birkenstocks. I was fine, but they wouldn't have worked well had it been rainy. And the park rangers were checking and cautioned me.

I'm headed to Italy for the first time this August. I will spend some time in Cinque Terre and would love to hear more about your hikes as that is what I look forward to most.

I loved Cinque Terre! Me and my partner stayed in one of the airbnbs, and we loved the experience. Be alert that if you go in the Summer, it will be packed, and it will be very hot.