If you live day to day a friend of mine (who visits somewhat regularly) said that you can just walk around and ask about vacancies. My wife and I didn’t want the hassle so we booked online, www.arbaspaa.com

You can try these numbers… I got them off doors of properties in Cinque Terre (Corniglia and Vernazza, I think)...

Affitasi Camere/Apartamento
0187 812045
0187 812280

Camere da Filippo—> 0187 812244

We stayed in Manarola for a couple of nights and had no reservations. We looked around for signs that said “Zimmer” on them (which is German for “private room for rent”) and found this great room with A/C and a private bath for 50 euros. It was very new and very clean. Our whole budget per day was 100 euros, but because there isn’t really anything to do there except eat, swim, hike, and relax it fit into our budget well and was a nice change from the whole hostle thing.

If you stay in or visit Manarola you have to try the focaccia bread there. It’s to die for. Just make sure you go to the guy who’s shop is on the level below the square and on the left side of the town if you are facing the water. Still one of my favorite memories!

just GO!
early afternoon look around for signs for rooms for rent and call or ask any vendor. everybody knows each other . it’s great. Vernazza is my pick of the best place to stay.

Last time I was in the Cinque Terre was 5 years ago, just so you know. Confirming above advice, it is completely feasible the just wander down the side streets (the left one or the right one :) and look for signs that say “Rooms/Zimmer”. The first time we were there, it was early in the morning and we got a few negative answers, so then I just asked an old woman who was buying fish at the harbor. She bought her fish, and waddled away waving us along behind her. She led us to her very nice set of rooms which overlooked the main plaza. The second time, we just did the same thing, but it was afternoon so I guess more people had checked out and we took the first room we looked at. It was beautiful. In general, compared to the rest of Itay, the C.T. was overpriced. And over-touristed. We were able to enjoy it, though, and I hope you do, too. I suggest lots of hiking, there are a few trails leading up in the hills out of town. Vernazza was very charming at a distance. :)

Hi,

I was there in September and stayed in Vernazza for three days It’s probably the most popular town in Cinque Terre. If you are visiting in February, you will be there in the low season and shouldn’t encounter a lot of tourists.

I am assuming you will be taking the train? If so, inquire in the information office at the train station about rooms with vacancies. I ended up finding a great place to stay this way (Memo Rooms)that was incredibly affordable.

If you are interested in a specific place, I recommend Memo Rooms in Vernazza. It has also been recommended by Rick Steves (although I had no idea about this when I ended up staying there). The info for Memo Rooms is on this page of Rick Steves website :

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/0410vernazza.htm

I was reading a comment someone had made regarding seeing lots of graffiti in Cinque Terre. I did not notice any graffiti in any of the five towns I visited. Furthermore, as to their comment about things being old…it’s Italy! Things ARE old! Sheesh!

I hope you are still planning to visit Cinque Terre. It is absolutely amazing! I highly recommend a walk up the road to Corniglia. You will pass by vineyards, lemon and olive trees, and have an amazing view of the Ligurian Sea while you do so. I actually met a charming Italian man while I was walking along who was harvesting grapes for the local “vino” and who ran to his truck to present me with a bunch to eat along my walk. A great memory of how wonderful the Italian people are!

I hope you have a wonderful time!

I was babysitting in Monterosso for a month, so my job was sitting on the beach!!! (Unfortunately I hate sitting on the beach the whole day.) It is a beautiful place.

If you want more information about Liguria or places to visit, just ask me, I was living there for a year.. Don’t forget to taste the “focaccia col formaggio” in Recco and taste the “torta di Monterosso” in Monterosso. You can buy it near Laura’s “pasticceria”.

Have a wonderful time there!

And the photo is taken on the beautiful Isola Palmaria!

My sister and I rented a room in Monterosso al Mare from Corrado Valente 0039 338 7073664 – it was a great room and him and his family were very nice and helpful.