Hi! My husband and I are enjoying our Italian holiday immensely! We started out in Rome and then spent a week in San Gimignano as a base. We loved it!! Now we are in Torre de Lago and are planning a trip to Cinque Terre in the next couple of days. We are a little confused out driving up there from Torre de Lago. We have read a lot that it is not advisable to drive but were wondering if this time of year would make it more feasible. We understand that we would have to take trams from parking areas to the villages themselves. Or would we be better off to get a train from La Spezia? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Would also like to know if you have a favorite. We have been doing so much reading that we have confused ourselves. Thanks!

The weather looks good. I do not think of the villages themselves as an attraction. It was more the scenery and the fact that trails connect them, and they are easily reached and moved between by train. The weather looks good, so if you like hiking, check the trail maps: http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/E...ri-outdoor.php
If you just want to visit a pretty village, make better use of your car with an excursion to the Montemarcello peninsula (and avoid the crowds at CT).

We are looking for beautiful scenery with the colorful houses and the sea. Do you think that the crowds will be less at this time of year?

So many come on cruise ships or on day trips, I really can't say--October is not low season, the weather is just more iffy. I just firmly believe the area has been loved nearly to death, so I always recommend alternatives.

When we were there years ago one October it was totally mobbed -must be worse now?

Drive and park at edges of villages and yes use trains in between if boats are not running.

I thought the villages themselves were lovely - in addition to the beautiful scenery you see from them and from the hikes. I've had a picture of Riomaggiore on my wall for years - it's the one people see and ask, "Wow, where is THAT???" So I wouldn't sell the villages themselves short - but the hiking to me is the main reason to go out of your way to get there, not the villages.

Parking in Levanto (to the north of Monterosso) might work too unless La Spezia is more convenient to drive to. Then again, I'm not sure how long you are staying in the Cinque Terre - if a day trip, why not just take trains all the way from/to Torre de Lago and leave the car there?

I would still expect a lot of people in October especially if the weather is good.

Monterosso has a large parking lot by the waterfront.

Thanks for your input. I think we have decided to skip Cinque Terre and go to Lerici instead.

I think you will love that area--Tellaro is particularly pretty, and there are hiking trails (if you were interested in that at CT) where you will see few other people.

Hi Yellowtose477,

I was just there and I think it is very lovely. We drove from Florence and spent the night at Monterosso. I really don’t see any problem in driving there. It was not that crowded and we found parking without and problems. As happytrlr, said there is a big parking lot but the waterfront. It was 25 for the overnight parking. €IMHO, you might reconsider skipping it. I think you will be surprised.

We went there so that we can eat at Miky, that itself was worth the trip! The seafood risotto and the pistachio cream, oh my!

Monterosso and Riomaggiore - CT bookends can easily be driven to themselves but only in certain parts - but easy to find parking in Monterosso at this time of year - there are two Monterossos - the ancient village and a modern seaside area - nice to have hotel in old town but can probably drive to seaside hotel in newer part it seemed or at least be right near that parking lot cafegoddess mentions.

CT has the nicest beaches, love the trails. A friend is there right now and it does not look crowded at all. We took the ferry from La Spezia and trained it back. I love the villages, shops and places to eat.

I think we have reconsidered and will go to CT since we are so close. Went to Lerici and Tellaro today. So beautiful. I want more. Will try and park at the Large lot and walk and take trains to the others. Beautiful weather the whole 15 days we have been in Italy so far.

We just spent a week in Monterosso, and left 5 days ago. When we arrived in the area, we dropped our rental car in LaSpezia and took the train during the week that we were there. We really enjoyed our time in the CT (in fact we extended from our original 4 night plan to a 7 night plan). That said, it is not the villages themselves that are the highlight of the area; it is the scenic areas outside of the villages. We spent many days hiking the area (only one day on the official paid CT park system trails). This is what the CT is really about. If all you want to do is mill about in the villages with hordes of other tourists, a day or two could take care of that.

We did have a lovely day when we bought the all day boat ticket and rode the boat from Monterosso to Portovenere. We took the first boat out of Monterosso in the morning and made a 45 minute stop to walk around Riomaggiore. Then we hopped on the next boat to Portovenere. We had also bought the extra 5 euro extension so we could cruise around the three islands there. We did that cruise and returned to Portovenere for a leisurely lunch. We then took the last boat of the day back to Monterosso. A great ay to spend a day in the area.

We are staying in Torre del Lago Puccini so just plan on a day trip. We just want to see the amazing scenery, not mill about in the villages. We saw some amazing scenery yesterday around Lerici. The weather continue to be beautiful so I think we will try and go up tomorrow.

I think we have decided to drive from torre del lago to la special and take the train. I am a little worried about getting the right tickets etc. Any advice? Cinque Terre card beneficial ?

That should have said la spezia

If you want to see the scenery, you are going to have to hike. And, the hiking can be very strenuous. If you plan to hike one of the official trails (many of them aren't open), you will need a park admission card. This is the CT card that provides trail access and unlimited use of the trains. If you do not have this, every ride on every train between towns will be four euros. You need to make a plan and then decide if the card is worth it to you. It sounds as though it might be if you want to visit many of the villages and will be taking the train to and from LaSpezia.

I wanted to do the one shorter trail but it looks like it may not be open. Thanks for your input. Appreciate it.