Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the colorful village of Manarola
- Stroll through the charming streets of Vernazza
- Relax on the beaches of Monterosso
- Enjoy panoramic coastal views
- Experience authentic Italian coastal culture
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Florence
- Guided visits to Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso
- Free time for exploration and lunch
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Make the most of your time in Cinque Terre... Meet your tour guide at Piazzale Montelungo Bus Terminal early in the morning. Piazzale Montelungo is located 5-10 minutes walking distance from Santa Maria Novella train station. Find your seat on the comfortable coach bus, sit and relax, and prepare to depart for your journey to the nearby coastline! The drive to Cinque Terre will take about two hours. Throughout the drive, your guide will entertain you with plenty of interesting information about the famous views and villages on the way, as well as Cinque Terre and what to expect upon arrival. If you have any questions, your guide will be there to assist you.
After about two hours, you will arrive in La Spezia, the closest city to Cinque Terre. Here, your bus driver will drop off the group at the train station. Your guide will lead the group through the small train station, and your group will get on the first train to Manarola. The train takes about ten minutes, and then you will arrive in the stunning coastal town!
If you select the Standard Cinque Terre Tour without Pisa, your first stop will be Manarola. Manarola is an ancient fishing village famous for its brightly colored homes and pristine white wine! Enjoy marvelous views of its sparkling blue sea, the impeccable homes stacked upon each other, and the green grapevines towering in the distance. Your guide will happily point out the best viewpoints for photos (Manarola is very famous on Instagram, its views are incomparable!). You will have about an hour of free time to explore this picturesque town as you please.
The train ride to Monterosso will take about ten minutes. When you arrive, your guide will give plenty of recommendations for how you can spend your time in Monterosso. This historic fishing town is most famous for its wide, white sand beaches with crystal-clear water. Spend some time exploring the ancient town and indulging in some local street food for lunch. Then, find a spot on the pristine coastline to relax under the sun, take a dip in the incredible sea, and take some memorable photos! You will have plenty of free time in Monterosso to relax and to feel the marine breeze on your skin.
From Monterosso, you will enjoy a 10 minutes boat ride to head to the nearby town of Vernazza (not included in the option with Pisa). The boat ride will take place only if weather/sea conditions will be considered safe by local organizers and will give you the opportunity to admire the fishing villages from another perspective! Admiring the Cinque Terre hills reflecting on the crystal clear waters of the Ligurian sea will be an experience you will not forget! You will have about 1 hour of free time in this lovely waterfront town. Make your way to the small, picturesque harbor, also called "the Pearl of Cinque Terre." If you are lucky, you will witness the local fisherman arriving back from their morning fishing in small blue boats. Enjoy the characteristic (and famous) views of Vernazza's emerald water and colorful homes. Spend some time strolling through the ancient streets smelling of fresh focaccia and pesto. If you need any recommendations, your tour leader will be happy to help!
If you select the Standard Cinque Terre Tour without Pisa, your final stop will be Riomaggiore. Meet your tour leader at the train station to reach our final destination, where you will be welcomed by more brightly colored homes stacked on striking cliffs. Enjoy about an hour of free time to explore the beachy alleyways, purchase any last-minute artisanal souvenirs, and admire the lovely views. When it is time to depart, you will see the sun starting to settle and what seems like gold flakes over the sea, as small boats pull into the port after their days at sea.
Your train back to La Spezia will take less than ten minutes. Follow your guide back to the bus, where you will depart for Florence.
If you select the Option with Pisa, your last stop will be Pisa, a city famous worldwide for its rich history and remarkable architecture. During your visit, you’ll explore the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli, where you can admire the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, the magnificent Cathedral, and the historic Baptistery. Enjoy free time to discover these extraordinary landmarks at your own pace and take memorable photos beside one of Italy’s most celebrated monuments.
Relax on the comfortable, air conditioned bus after your incredible day of exploration and beauty. You will arrive back in Florence in the early evening.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves walking and may not be suitable for those with mobility issues.
- The itinerary includes free time for lunch; meals are not provided.
- Tour duration is approximately 10 hours, including travel time.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- Kindly note that the bus will drop you off in La Spezia or Levanto. Then you will move from one village to the other by train and boat. You will meet again your bus by the end of the day to make your way back to Florence.
- Kindly note that the Cinque Terre Semi Independent option does not include train and boat tickets. At the beginning of the day, you will be dropped off at La Spezia or Levanto, and you will have free time for the whole day in the Cinque Terre National Park. You will meet again your bus at La Spezia Centrale or Levanto in the afternoon. This option only includes a roundtrip transportation by GT coach to the Cinque Terre and back as well as live commentary during the bus trip.
- Please note that the boat ride will be available from April 1st until October 31st
- In the case of bad weather or rough sea, the boat will not operate. In this case, the boat will be replaced by a train route
- Please note that the given order of the visits may change in case of exceptional events as train strikes or road closures and disruptions
- Please Note that the Pisa option is a semi-independent experience. Train and boat tickets within the Cinque Terre National Park are not included. This option includes only roundtrip GT coach transportation and free time in Vernazza and Monterosso, in addition to the visit to Pisa.
Traveler reviews
Excellent tour and guide.
John wa an excellent guide. Would love to have again for a tour.
Great Guide & gorgeous views
Our guide Antonio was amazing! Beautiful trip
A dream come true thanks to CiaoFlorence
We had an amazing tour of Cinque Terre thanks to the guides Canberk and Stanislava. The trip was seamless and everything went on smoothly. Very well planned and organized. A special thanks to Canberk who was our personal guide for his clear and helpful instructions. Would definitely recommend booking this tour!
Cinque terre in a day
John was a great guide through cinque terre. He helped the day move smoothly and provided just the right level of guidance and touch. It made the whole experience great
Cinque terre
John was very helpful and made sure we get around cinque terre easily
