We stayed at Garden Hotel in Levanto 2 years ago and had no trouble at all, very reasonable and popular hotel. Had a car and parked it a couple of blocks away in a safe hotel parking lot. Did the villages on the train and loved it BUT it rained buckets while we were there. 7 nights might be alot unless you are into hiking, we stayed 3.. there are however lots of local drives to be had..Wandering can be such a great experience..

When we hiked Cinque Terre several years ago, we stayed in Levanto at a small b&b by the train station. We loved Levanto - it has a great selection of restaurants, and a better beach than any of the 5 CT towns. True, Levanto has a different vibe than the 5 towns, more mini Italian Riviera resort than fishing village, but we spent most of our two days exploring the 5 villages then coming back for dinner and relaxing on the beach in Levanto. Just fyi, the best hiking trail in the entire area is the one between Levanto and Monterosso. Also, one of the best meals we had in all of Italy was at a 'local' trattoria in Levanto, close to the train station. Another plus for Levanto is that it is reasonably accessable by car, and there is lots of parking available.

We stayed in Levanto and loved it - good cafes/restos, nice
town with less of the madding crowd of the 5T but easy to
access them by taking the frequent trains.

Dh did the whole trail from Levanto while I joined him along
the route by taking the train.

Thank you, I am reassured by such positive comments about Levanto. I know Cinque Terre is one of the prime tourist destinations in Italy and I also like to find places without the madding crowds. I started my lodging search around Deiva Marina but decided that was farther out than I wanted to be from the CT. Thanks again, Deborah

You might want to do some research on other places besides the CT to visit during your 7 days. The crowds could become too much.

Easily reached by train, Genoa and Sarzana (a favorite of mine) are good to visit if the weather isn't cooperating.

Be sure to spend a day exploring Camogli and either hiking to or taking the public boat over to San Fruttuoso. Also, you should have time to explore some of the uncrowded CT trails that go inland. They are absolutely beautiful hikes- but most people stick to the popular coast trails.

If you visit Sarzana on one of the right Saturdays you might enjoy exploring this market-

http://www.earthmarkets.net/network/sarzana

Have fun!

zoecat, I was second guessing my decision to spend one full week in the CT because our main interest is hanging out around water (not necessarily IN water since it's May) rather than "hiking"; after Cinque Terre we are going to stay 4 nights each on Lake Maggiore and Lake Como. Your suggested day trips are right in line with my thoughts about other places to visit while based in Levanto. I don't think I'll have any trouble filling our days there. Thanks again for the suggestions, I'll be doing my research after I decide where to stay Deborah

I've been to the Cinque Terre twice and wound up staying in Levanto both times - not because I really wanted to but because it was the most practical. (Price and amenities.) Levanto is a nice town as mentioned, but it is more of a conventional "beach town" than the Five Villages. I'd pay a little more to stay in Riomaggiore, Manorola, or Vernazza next time, but last time it was a LOT more (like 2X) to find anywhere in a half-decent location or not up 200 steps.

A week does sound like a long time in the Cinque Terre. I loved it both times but there's not much to do there - the villages are small, and you won't be hiking right? Hiking is the primary appeal. If you wanted to hike a different trail (that is open) every day and just chill in between I could understand a long stay...but perhaps not if you aren't hiking. I'm not sure this is the best place in Italy to "hang out by the water."

Thanks for your comments, Andrew. My husband and I like beach towns in and out of season. I thought to combine the CT area with possible visits ranging from Pisa to Carrara, Portovenere to Portofino along with some short hikes if the weather cooperates. It will be a slow travel stay, we find that easy to do around water Deborah

I just booked CasaLorenza in Riomaggiore for 4 nights for 100 Euros a night.It's a room with a large balcony with a water and town view. I think the idea of walking, ferrying, or hiking around the CT during the day and then eating locally, enjoying the quiet of the town in the evening without the crowds, and sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine watching the sunset is what the CT is about. Waking up and seeing that view first thing- why travel all that way and stay somewhere else?

100 Euros/night is a lot for some of us. I paid about 35 Euros/night for my little B&B in Levanto (the place was nicer than I expected). I stayed only two nights; an extra 65 Euro/night for a week as the OP is talking about would have been more than half the cost of my airfare to Europe.

For me personally, I was out taking pictures at sunset anyway on the nights I was in the CT. The views aren't important to everyone or not worth the extra cost. Depends on your style of travel and your budget, I guess.

If you're going to visit other spots like Portovenere, etc., I see no problem with Levanto, especially if it suits your budget. It's not as if CT has some swinging nightlife that's a must.