There are many tourist destinations that people have seen and imagined visiting for years but that have also become increasingly more popular. The worry, then, is whether or not your visit is going to be impeded by the crowds that now flock to the area? Take, for example, the Cinque Terre of Italy. This line of five villages along a stretch of the coast in the region of Liguria is known for its impossibly picturesque and photogenic beauty, drawing many admirers from all over the world throughout the year but especially during the summer months. But is it worth booking a villa on the Cinque Terre today? Can one still enjoy a vacation in this area or have the tourist crowds ruined it for everyone?
When are you going?
As noted, if you find a vacation rental on the Cinque Terre for a break during the summer, you are going to encounter the area at its busiest. It will also be the hottest (although not as hot as many other destinations) so this can make enduring crowds harder for those who already really don’t like them. Also, keep in mind that the 2nd of June and the 15th of August are public holidays in Italy and, therefore, tourist areas on the coast will become especially popular with local visitors and full around these dates.
Planning your holiday in the Cinque Terre area outside this time of the year, like in spring or autumn, will ensure that the crowds have thinned somewhat. However, what you will always find with the most popular destinations in Italy is that many will never be empty. You just cannot expect to ever have these places to yourself, or anything close to it, as they are so popular and in demand.
In saying all of this, however, you can definitely enjoy a vacation on the Cinque Terre at any time of the year, as long as you keep certain things in mind and have the right attitude going into the experience.
Attitude
Much of the crowd that travellers will encounter in the area is of the day-tripping variety, full of people who are simply coming to get some great pictures, experience a town or two (or all of them, which is possible but frenzied) in the area for a day, and then leave again. If you, meanwhile, have booked a holiday rental on the Cinque Terre itself and are spending your whole vacation in the area, you will be able to have a very different experience of the area. So, let the tour buses arrive and the boats to dock. Let them come and go, all while you get an opportunity to really dive into a more authentic version of the area.
Nature
The winding roads and pastel perfect villages of the Cinque Terre are evocative and can be captured in a snap shot but there is so much more to the area. All of this section of Liguria is part of a National Park, with various trails and routes following the coast. If you have found a vacation rental in the Cinque Terre and are spending plenty of time in the area, you’ll have the chance to get out and hike, breathe in the incredible sea air, visit old castles perched on the cliff-sides, see the famous villages from above and various other angles, stop at wineries, spot flora and fauna, and more. This certainly is a gorgeous part of the world, so why not really take the chance to appreciate it while getting away from the areas where you’ll encounter the larger tourist crowds?
Know Where To Go
While there are certain towns and attractions that you should still see, be aware that some of these places may have the kinds of crowds that you may wish to avoid and, therefore, should be visited strategically. Vernazza, for example, is probably the most-visited and busiest of the towns. Monterosso Al Mare is the largest town in the area and boasts one of the few proper long, sandy beaches along this stretch of the coast, meaning that it is the only true seaside resort town and is accordingly popular. See both by coming later in the day, when many have left already, or by spending more time in either or both, allowing you to get a real lay of the land. If you want to eat really, really well, be sure to visit the southernmost town of Riomaggiore, with its numerous fine dining restaurants. For the prettiest looks of all, Manarola is an unmissable town to visit.
Keep all of this things in mind, book your villa on the Cinque Terre, and have a dream vacation, regardless of the crowds!