As is often the case, crowds mean higher prices. But, as I found on a recent trip, the Cinque Terre can still be explored on a frugal budget. I set out from my home, about 40 minutes away, to see what I could do with the equivalent of $100 in euros in my pocket. The only expense excluded from that weekend budget was lodging (though that, too, would be modestly priced, at least compared with what’s typical).

I did, however, need a place to stay. So, for the first night, I had booked a room through Airbnb at L’Erba Persa, set on a biodynamic organic farm that is home to dozens of animals — cats, dogs, donkeys and pet rabbits — in Levanto, a sleepy town one train stop north of the Cinque Terre, where prices are slightly lower than in the villages themselves. My double room was perfectly serviceable, with a shared bathroom, and included breakfast for $73.

The Levanto location wasn’t just a money-saver, it was also ideal as a starting point for the first hike I had planned. Most visitors to the area are lured by the famous coastal path No. 2, the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path), that connects the five main towns: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Hiking this trail, which was damaged by mudslides, first in 2011 and multiple times since then, requires purchasing a pass (from 7.50 euros, about $9 at $1.22 to the euro, per day) from the Cinque Terre National Park, even though only two segments of the trail (between Monterosso and Corniglia) are currently open.