Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shuttle Bus Joyride
Foracheapandscenicjoyride,withachancetochatabouttheregionwithfriendly,English-
speaking Beppe, Simone, or Pietro, ride the shuttle bus from the top of town to the sanctuar-
ies and hamlets San Bernadino and Reggio—the ancient birthplace of Vernazza—and back
again (entire route for the cost of a round-trip ticket, 5/day—usually at 7:00, 9:45, 12:00,
15:00, and 17:30; schedule posted at park office, train station, and bus stop in front of post
office; €2.50 one-way, free with Cinque Terre Park Card, churches at sanctuaries are usually
closed).
Vernazza's younger generation of restaurant workers lets loose after-hours. They work hard
through the tourist season, travel in the winter, speak English, and enjoy connecting with in-
ternational visitors. After the restaurants close down, the town is quiet except for a couple
of nightspots. For more information on the Blue Marlin, Ananasso, Il Pirata, and Ristorante
Incadase, see their listings under “Eating in Vernazza,” later. All Vernazza bars must close
by 24:00.
BlueMarlinBar
dominatesthelate-nightscenewithamixoflocalsandtourists,home-
cooked food until 22:00, good drinks, and piano jam sessions. If you're young and hip, this
is
the
place to hang out. There's a new piano, and if you play, you're welcome to contribute
to the scene. They also host a free book-swap shelf.
Ananasso Bar
offers early-evening happy-hour fun and cocktails
(aperitivi)
that both
locals and visitors enjoy. Its harborfront tables get the last sunshine of the day.
Burgus Wine Bar,
chic and cool with a jazzy ambience, is a popular early-evening and
after-dinner harborside hangout. Sip local wine or a cocktail. Valerio and Lorenza specialize
in Ligurian wines and can explain the historic town photos and museum cases of artifacts
(closed Tue, free Wi-Fi with a drink, Piazza Marconi 4).
Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre
, at the top of the town, was completely destroyed by the
flood—butisbackinbusiness.ThisplacefeaturestheentertainingCannolibrothers,whofill
a happy crowd of tourists with wonderful Sicilian pastries and drinks each evening. Many
come for dinner and end up staying because of these two wild and crazy guys and the ca-
maraderie they create among their diners (erratic hours driven by demand, free Wi-Fi).
Ristorante Incadase da Piva
(tucked up the lane behind the pharmacy) is the haunt of
Piva, Vernazza's troubadour. Piva often gets out his guitar and sings traditional local songs
as well as his own compositions. If you're looking for a local Hemingway, check here.
Really Late:
There's a little cave on the beach just under the church that lends itself to
fun in the wee hours, when everything else is closed.
