Yes it is crowded, but it doesn't matter. We stayed here and found that huge boat groups regularly come in and out, which didn't seem worth it to us. Pick one place and stay there, and we think this is the one. We swam in the sheltered area, sunbaked on the concrete, and went up the hill to Nessun Dorma for a bite to eat and some wine. I could definitely spend more time here.

This is easily done without going on the very expensive tours and we did this ourselves using local trains.Manarola for us was the most iconic and picturesque town of the Cinque terre. We did the journey on our own from Pisa and got off at La Spezia €7.90 return. We then collected a Cinque Terre train ticket at the office on platform 1 for the Cinque Terre the machines were busy and not easy to navigate €18.20pp this was the most efficient and economical way of doing it and there are people checking tickets at various points.or it's €5 one way for each stop. The hop on/ off train that goes from La Spezia to all the towns runs frequently on average every 10 mins. As we were only there for one day We chose three to visit Riomaggiore, Manarola and Vernazza we had time to visit the others but chose not to even though we could have got on and off the train at each one. The iconic pictures that are shown on all websites are taken from Manarola which was our favourite.Riomaggiore was lovely and easily walkable. Vernazza town was great but the walks were hidden and the views not as accessible as some photos show. Manarola was by far the most accessible and if you follow the man made walkway around the cliffs the best views can be had. There is a bar at the end of the cliff walk but it was very busy and orders could only be made via an app which was difficult with limited Wi-Fi and data since we've now come out of Europe due to brexit ha ha. Numerous bars cafes and restaurants at all the locations.

we arrived by train from Corniglia. Manarola is a very pretty fishing village with Via Discovolo being the main street with many restaurants and bars. The higher you walk up the less crowded it gets. This is a small village but it still offers things to do, like the Manarola Vineyard walk which is mostly flat and offers many views. You can enjoy more views from the cemetery high up above the village. The best view has to be from Punta Bonfiglio. We also had cocktails and foccacia late afternoon at Nessun Dorma. This is a very popular venue and it offers excellent platters, cocktails and other beverages with tremendous views.

We stayed at an Air BnB in Manarola and just spent bits of time poking around the main town area. We went for a swim in the protected swimming 'pool' at the end of the main area. Had a fantastic meal in a hatted michelin restaurant at a very reasonable price. Saw many wonderful buildings and shops. The town is planned with one main street down the centre that is broad and easy to negotiate. The boat/bus tours can assemble and not block the entire place. There is a tunnel leading to the train station to go to the other towns in Cinque Terre.

This has to be the most crowded village out of the five. Tourists from all over the world stopped by to see the picturesque setting with colorful buildings. It was quite a walk from the train station down to the harbor. It was drizzling when we were there but did not dampen our spirit. Absolutely stunning! Walk up to the scenic viewpoint for the best view.

As described you will expect a timepiece preserved 5 years ago. Unfortunately you will find a place with beautiful scenery and an industry that is fighting for every euro. Everything is made for tourists, everything is on sale for tourists. The charm is gone, the market is open. Even for post COVID period it was overcrowded. And no traditions at all. Everything is hospitality. Definitely locals live better but they’ve lost their roots. Tourists there are everywhere- even laying on concrete ground, because there’s no beach with sand

I really enjoyed this town. The beauty and charm, is everything! We strolled up these streets, shopping and just looking around. It's one of my favorite towns, of Cinque Terre. You have to make your way down to the water, to get a great perspective of the beauty of this place.

The other day we've visited Vernazza. Today we drove along the beautiful coast again (a fun drive, if you dare) to wonderful Manarola. For us it's about on par with Vernazza. These two are definitely the best of the five villages of Cinque Terre. Compared to Vernazza this village doesn't have a big piazza or port at the sea. But there are other wonderful sights. One of it is the rocky beach where many locals gather to sunbathe or to swim. Then there's the way leading up to this viewpoint, where you get a wonderful view of the village. With its old and charming buildings, all the colours, the oceans splashing against the rocks. It's an amazing sight. The Cinque Terre is a place you MUST visit at least once in your life. Due to Covid there weren't as many visitors as usual, but compared to the rest of Italy there was still quite the crowd. But most arrived by train obviously, since the only nearby parking lot was quite deserted. It's a wondeful village to explore. With lots of fun shops, restaurants and small lanes. Be sure to walk to walk the whole village up until the very top (a bit steep at times). Nice views from there as well. Loved it.

Borgo Storico di Manarola is literally the old town of Manarola, one of five tiny towns located in Cinque Terre National Park, in Spezia Region, in the North of Iitaly. We came here in August-2019 and we walked around the old town, really very nice. The best part is Punto Bonfiglio, where you can arrive following the coastal path. From here the views of the town are superb! Really wonderful! The walk, the views of the town, the sea and the dramatic coast are great! Also, we came here with my daughter 3 years old and near this point (Punto Bonfiglio), there is a little children park, so all people (adults and children) can enjoy here. (See also Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre)

This village is typical from Cinque Terre: colorful, steep with narrow streets and terraces, dominated by a beautiful church and facing the sea. You should firstly walk up and down (from the harbor to the church and the other way round), then try to find the track on the opposite side of the mountain to get the nicest broad view of the village.