Cinqueterra--Please tell me it is better than you expected?
 

Please tell me where you stayed, how you traveled to the 5 towns and what would you do differently the next time?

This souunds too good to be true--5 towns that you can walk to or train? Are there apartments to rent in the area?

happy1

Please be aware that some of the walks are difficult, some might say very difficult. A lot of the walking can be construed as hiking on narrow, rocky, and steep trails. You can't really stroll from town to town, with one exception. And yes, there are trains, frequently, between all 5 towns.

I have never rented in the area, but yes, there are rental apartments.

I was lucky enough to stay in a lovely upscale hotel in Monterosso al Mare. It was very nice, but I wasn't paying for it, so the cost wasn't a factor in my decision.

We traveled there by car, on a longer car journey.

I wasn't as impressed as many visitors, and a good many Fodorites are. I am sorry to say that it wasn't better than I expected. Do remember that I seem to be in a small minority. Art and history are major attractions in Italy for me, and the Cinque Terre doesn't have those things. The scenery is nice, though.

I prefer the areas of the Ligurian coast further north: Santa Margharita Ligure, Portofino, Camogli. IMO, just as pretty, but with a greater variety of sites, sights, accomodations, shops, dining and more.

We like to stay in Santa Margherita and take a train to CT to explore the towns. We've walked between some towns, taken the train, and taken a small boat. The views from the boat are extraordinary in my opinion.

Sorry, I accidentally posted before I was finished.
Cinque Terre is certainly worth visiting, because the towns are very picturesque, but it isn't, IMO, as wonderful as many people find it to be. That's because it has been discovered and is overrun with tourists.
There are apartments to rent in the area and many of them have spectacular views.
You can hike between the five towns, but it is not necessarily easy. The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza is strenuous, with hundreds of steps to climb up to the trail. Once you're up there, it's not really that difficult, although there are some narrow spots. You are rewarded with beautiful views.
From Riomaggiore to Manarola,the hike is very easy, and takes about an hour. It's the "Via dell'amore". The next part, from Manarola to Corniglia is a bit longer, not at all difficult and very scenic. You will have to climb many steps to get up to the town, altho' I think there is also a bus that takes you up.
The train runs very frequently between the five towns, and you can get a pass which gives you access to the hiking trails and unlimited rides on the train.
There is also boat service, but if the sea is rough the boats don't stop at certain towns. The boat is very enjoyable, and as the PP said, the views are beautiful.
I stayed in Monterosso, the largest of the 5 towns. If I were to visit that area again, I would stay in Portovenere or Levanto, the two bordering towns on either end, and just "commute" to 5Terre.

We arrived in Monterosso by train (very easy), stayed in an inexpensive, clean hotel that faced the water and beach (forget name, sorry!), and walked (hiked) one day to Vernazza. It was vigorous, but well-trodden, with steps on the steep inclines and declines. But what a reward when you approached and reached Vernazza. Absolutely beautiful and breath-taking, IMHO. I also thought that the food was more delicious here than in Florence or Venice, where we also visited. Seemed like the closer we got to France, the more we loved the cuisine (not that there was anything wrong with the food in Florence or Venice). You can very easily catch the train at any of the five towns of Cinque Terre.

I do find it a beautiful area to visit, but I have to agree with those who note that the hike is not always an easy one. In some areas, it is quite steep, narrow, and rocky. When I went, I was twenty-five and not in terrible shape, but I found the hike exhausting.

Hi, My husband and I loved the CT. We took the train to Riomaggiore and then "hiked back". I'm 46 and my husband is 50 we're in average shape, huffed and puffed a bit up some of the stairs, but I wouldn't call it difficult. Yes there were quite a few tourists in the towns but we liked sitting in the cafes near the harbour and watching people. The views along the trail are spectacular. There were people hiking in everything from sandles to looking like they were going to attempt the Matterhorn. A pair of running shoes is sufficient. Many people split the hike into 2 days but we didn't because it was supposed to rain the next day and the trail could be dangerous when wet. The stone steps could get very slippery.We stayed at the villa edera in Moniglia. The train station was 2 blocks away. 5 of the rooms are in a renovated castle. We had an incredible room that over looked the town and ocean.

it was no better or worse than anticipated. the walk between the five villages is the only reason to go IMO and on a nice day it is lovely. it is not at all a difficult walk if you are used to excercise. i do agree that sedentary people will find it strenuous. a serious walker may be put off by the crowds and tourists.

the villages themselves are quite touristy and the food is poor by italian standards. if i had a limited travel budget both in terms of time and money, it would not be my first choice.

i stayed two nights to allow myself one full day to do the five village walk. this is probably the perfect amount of time. any less and you don't have a full day and any more would not be worth it...i do believe in staying places enough time to soak in the atmosphere but this place has very little (besides the natural beauty of the walk).

what would i do differently next time...well there won't be a next time...one time is enough for most people, i think. please don't get me wrong...it is a lovely place and i'm very glad that i went but it is not at the top of my list for places to recommend.

We took the train from La Spezia to Vernazza where we found a private studio apartment from a gentleman in the main square near the waterfront. We were told to go to the Central bar and ask for the owner who happened to be away...I guess we were looking lost and the gentleman offered that he had a room we could look at a stones throw from the waterfront down an alley. We struck gold...for Approx CAD80.00 per night we had a wonderful little studio. That night we walked up the path out of town and found an amazing canteen bar overlooking the town that serves their own homemade wine. The sunset was most spectacular and that view is burned into my eternal memory. The next day we took the train to Riomaggiore and walked the old mule path back to Vernazza passing Manrola on the Via Del Amore (stunning scenery)...ate lunch at a small scenic rest stop at the top of Cornilgia (beautiful!!) and the last stop of the day...that great little canteen wine bar overlooking Vernazza. I would not deem this walk as difficult..just make sure you have good walking shoes. I saw a women in high heels trying to make the trek...dumb!...the walk is very nice...by the ocean and through vineyards and olive groves. We did not do the walk between Vernazza and Monterosso. It is the most challenging of the walks from what I understand. We instead took a boat shuttle to Monterosso which was a very nice way to arrive and we spent a lovely afternoon there. We have wonderful memories of the CT and I would certainly not hestitate to recommend this area even if it is not the best kept secret on the planet anymore.

happy1, my DH and I spent time in CT last April for our anniversary and loved it! We stayed at Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso. Great room with a view and private bath. The staff was wonderful and the ground of the hotel were beautiful. We had a lovely terrace filled with fragrant lemon trees.

We did some hiking and exploring in each town. Definately eat at Gambero Rosso in Vernazza. The food was from heaven.