Home to Italy’s iconic colorful terraced houses perched on the hillsides, Cinque Terre is a Bucket List destination brightening up the Italian Riviera.
Dotting the famous coastal cliffs are five villages connected by stoney pathways and ancient fortified walls dripping in vineyards: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. It’s completely different from Florence!
Discover the picturesque beauty of Cinque Terre with our top3 day trips or scroll down to read the full guide of the best Cinque Terre day tours from Florence.
When planning your sightseeing and things to do in Florence, make sure to set aside time for an adventure to this vivid and vibrant coastline.
| Activity Type | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Day Trip w/ Hiking | From 80€ | 13 hours |
| Cinque Terre & Pisa Private Tour | From 239€ | 12 hours |
| Cinque Terre & Portovenere | From 125€ | 13 to 14 hours |
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How to get to Cinque Terre from Florence?
Forming part of the glamorous Italian Riveria, Cinque Terre is situated among the coastal cliffs in Liguria (in La Spezia province). It’s approximately 200 kilometers from the Tuscan capital city.
Comprising five villages, these run along the coastline from south to north (or vice-versa), and if arriving from Florence side, Riomaggiore is up first, with the fifth village being Monterosso al Mare.
With limited parking spaces for cars due to its geographical positioning, the easiest way to travel between the five towns is via the local train. Once you’re in Cinque Terre, alternatively hike between the villages via the Sentiero Azzurro trail or enjoy a boat trip from one to the next.
By car
Depending on which town you choose to visit, the journey between Florence and Cinque Terre via car is between two and three hours.
From Firenze, drive along the Autostrada A11 highway toward Lucca and Genova, following the signs pointing to A12 Parma-Genova.
(Once you arrive in Cinque Terre by car, you will have to locate a dedicated parking lot and park your car here, oftentimes for a fee, and then walk into town.)
If you plan on parking your car in Riomaggiore, Manarola or Corniglia, take the exit at La Spezia, heading for the SS370 “Portovenere – Cinque Terre” road. This directs to Riomaggiore, Manarola or Corniglia.
If you plan on parking in Vernazza or Monterosso, follow the Autostrada A12, exiting at Brugnato. Veer toward Borghetto Vara and Pignone, following the signs for Vernazza or Monterosso. The distance from Brugnato to Vernazza is roughly 30 kilometers.
By train
The simplest way to reach Cinque Terre from Florence is by train, and the journey is about 2.5 to three hours.
From the Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence, there are regional trains (Trenitalia) transporting you directly to La Spezia. From La Spezia Centrale Station, catch the express connecting train to Cinque Terre, and this direct line runs through all five towns from La Spezia to Levanto.
Useful to know: the express Cinque Terre train runs in a direct line through each of the five towns. From La Spezia, the order is Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, and it takes about five minutes to travel from the first to the second, second to third, etc. Riomaggiore to Monterosso is about 30 minutes if you’re not hopping off at any of the other three towns.
The Cinque Terre express train runs every 20 minutes between each village. A convenient way to travel between the five towns is with a Cinque Terre Train Card for unlimited journeys, allowing you the freedom to hop on and off the express train as many times as you like in one day.
By organized tour
Saving you the hassle of hunting down parking lots and booking multiple train tickets, a convenient way to reach the Five Lands is with the best Cinque Terre day tours from Florence, where all transport is taken care of and includes round-trip transfers back to Firenze.
Tour dependent, travel via AC minivan, coach or private car from Florence through to the coastline – and some vehicles also include onboard wifi.
Again, depending on your tour operator, the excursion is also inclusive of any train rides or boat cruise tickets that you embark on during the day, as well as guided hikes with a chaperone.
Certain tours will collect you in the morning directly from your accommodation, or you will meet your tour group at a designated departure point in central Florence.
Is a day tour to Cinque Terre worth it?
Beaches, boat excursions, seafood, quaint, colorful houses changing into pastel hues as you walk from one building to the next and cobbled hills where flowers drip from window sills adding extra color … What’s not to love?
Splattered across millions of postcards, picturesque Cinque Terre is one of those dream travel list winners, and the best Cinque Terre day tours from Florence are definitely worth it!
With five villages connected by hiking trails, trains and boat rides, there’s something for everyone along this coastline. Plus, the natural beauty to discover in these parts is tenfold, and each of the five towns is uniquely alluring. All five historical centers are protected and car-free zones, deeming them excellent places to explore on foot!
Read more: Things to do in Cinque Terre
What are the best villages to visit in Cinque Terre?
After the Saracens were booted out of the region and locals returned to the coastline circa the 11th century, its inhabitants began the current construction of erecting terraces and walls into the sleep slopes as a protection barrier.
Literally translating to five (cinque) lands (terre), there are five incredible villages to discover!
Riomaggiore
Stepping off the train parallel to the ocean and walking underneath the tunnel to enter Riomaggiore is the most exciting introduction!
Dreamy Riomaggiore was made for romantics …
Cue the pastel buildings footed by pot plants, stunning ocean views from every angle, the sweetest harbor front, tiny galleries and vibey bars.
Grab a fritto misto and stroll up and down Via Colombo, walk adjacent to the ocean on the path to the pebble beach and build stone sculptures or enjoy a drink at a hidden grotto.
Landmarks and monuments to marvel over include the Castello di Riomaggiore (a fortress dating to 1260) and the 14th-century Gothic-style Church of San Giovanni Battista of Riomaggiore.
Connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola is the famous pathway nicknamed “Lover’s Lane” for its picturesque setting (officially called Via dell’Amore). Or, if you’re searching for another hike, there’s a 3.5-kilometer trail to the Sanctuary of Montenero, and the monastery is situated above the village.
Vernazza
Vernazza’s harbor is the real charmer, where blue and white boats lazily float on the turquoise-colored waters and traditional Ligurian-style houses dot this fishing village.
Most of the action happens around its harbor, and the bulk of restaurants, cafes, bars and gelaterias can be found here.
The harborfront is much bigger than Riomaggiore, and the shoreline is home to a soft stretch of sand where travelers laze about in the sun, taking a dip in the bay in front. This is known as Vernazza Beach.
Right here is also the Gothic-Ligurian-style Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia constructed circa the 14th century.
The old town dazzles with unobtrusive alleyways leading to curio shops and artisanal boutiques.
Enjoy a brisk walk up to Cinque Terre’s oldest surviving fort: Doria Castle. From Vernazza, you can access the iconic Blue Trail, navigating to Monterosso and Corniglia. (Due to landslides, the path is often closed, but you can still trek parts of it running through Vernazza).
P.S. If you’re visiting during the week, don’t miss the Tuesday Farmers’ Market!
Monterosso al Mare
Welcome to the largest town of five Cinque Terre, and Monterosso is particularly great for families!
Hopping off the train, trample down the steps, exiting the train station, and welcomed by a long flat stretch of beach straddling a promenade that runs all the way along. (This is considered Monterosso’s “new town.”
Here lies Cinque Terre’s largest beach, Fegina.
Oceanfront dining is where it’s at, and in the busy months, it’s hard to find a table at any of the local restaurants and beach cafes along this strip — even the bars have every table booked out!
An incredible spot for beach lovers; work on your tan, frolic in the ocean or read a book with an Aperol in hand under one of the orange and green-striped umbrellas scattered across the beach.
At the very end of one side (on the right-hand after exiting the train station) is the jaw-dropping Il Gigante statue of Neptune carved into the rocks.
Other not-to-miss sites are the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista with its Renaissance-style facade (and one of Cinque Terre’s oldest churches), the Fieschi Castle and the Aurora Tower (found in the old town).
Hot tip: Monterosso is an excellent choice for travelers with limited mobility as it’s the flattest of the five towns. Having said that, there are some fantastic hiking trails around, including a link up to the Blue Trail.
Manarola
Unlike Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Monterosso, there is no typical swimming beach in Manarola; however, don’t be surprised to find sun lizards, ahem, tourists lounging on the rocky boulders surrounding its cute little harbor.
Via Renato Birolli and Via Antonio Discovolo are the two main streets in Manarola, where the majority of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes are located.
If you’re hunting down something extra special, look no further than the famous Nessun Dorma restaurant. (If you’ve seen the Instagram pictures of oversized tagliere (an Italian charcuterie board) held above the Cinque Terre rocks, this is the spot! Plus, they also offer authentic pesto-making classes.)
This social media extravaganza can be found right near one of Manarola’s most prized viewpoints and is an idyllic spot for sunset hour!
There are plenty of walking and hiking trails running through Manarola, and the Via dell’Amore trail links this town with Riomaggiore.
Famous for its vineyards, sample wines from the area, or get hands-on and hike the Manarola Vineyard Walk. For something a little longer, there is the 5.5-kilometer Vineyard Walk to Corniglia.
Architecture geeks: don’t miss the Baroque/Gothic 14th century Chiesa di San Lorenzo church, and if you’re ever here in winter, the annual Christmas Nativity Scene (Presepe di Manarola) is mesmerizing!
Corniglia
More of a hillside feel than a day-at-the-beach vibes, to reach Cinque Terre’s smallest town, climb a set of stairs (the Lardarina Staircase) from the train station leading directly to Corniglia. There are close to 400 steps, so do be aware before you arrive.
Perched and built atop a cliff 100 meters above sea level, the vistas are insane and naturally, so is the hiking!
Its positioning really sets it apart from the other four villages.
There are loads of little alleys calling out to be explored, and along the town’s fortified walls, hundreds of vineyards twist in between and along the ancient stone structures.
Inside the Chiesa Di San Pietro, look up to the church’s ceiling for beautiful frescoes decorating the inner roof.
The Sentiero Azzuro (Blue Trail) links Corniglia to Manarola, or you can also attempt the Vineyard Walk to Manarola, spanning 5.5 kilometers (starting right near the church).
While there is no direct sea access from the town itself, you can visit Corniglia Beach from the train station.
How long should I spend in Cinque Terre?
A full day! Comprising five main villages, you’ll want to spend at least 1.5 hours adventuring through each.
Of course, if you’d prefer to slowly explore the ins and outs of all five towns, a whole weekend to five days is ideal (one day for every village), particularly for avid hikers who are set on trekking the Italian Riviera.
(The most popular route is the 11-kilometer Blue Trail, connecting Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare.)
What are the best Cinque Terre day tours from Florence?
Cinque Terre day tour from Florence with lunch
Departing the Tuscan capital at the start of a new day, enjoy a private pick-up from your hotel (or meet at a designated point in the city), leaving behind a bustle of Renaissance madness for seas of blue.
Once you reach the Italian Riviera, the adventure begins, and different tour operators decide which town to make your starting point.
(Some prefer to kick things off in Monterosso and then work backward toward Riomaggiore. Others begin in Manarola, heading up to Monterosso, and then visiting Riomaggiore last before returning to Florence.)
Amble your way through rows of boutique shops, bars and seafood restaurants, laze on pebble beaches or work on your tan on soft-sandy options instead.
Cruise along the Mediterranean Sea as you move from one village to the next, hike uphill for incomparable vistas, photograph the mixture of medieval and Baroque architectural styles as displayed in the historic churches and castles, and enjoy an authentic gelato under the Italian sunshine.
This part of Italy is renowned for its seafood (look out for Cinque Terre’s famous fritto misto cones). Sample this for yourselves with an authentic three-course seafood lunch — Ligurian-style — at a restaurant on the water, topped with local Cinque Terre wines.
Cinque Terre day tour from Florence with optional hike
Starting from your hotel in Florence or a specified meeting point, journey through Tuscany in the direction of Liguria, learning from your tour guide a bit of history of each region en route to Cinque Terre.
Approaching La Spezia, disembark your private transportation and hop onto the Cinque Terre express train.
With its renowned walking trail between the five villages, day expeditions with optional hiking are doable around each town, and different tour operators select varying routes to trek.
For example, catch the train to Corniglia, refuel on an espresso and then begin the 40-minute guided walk from Corniglia to Vernazza.
Specific excursions start off in Manarola with time spent meandering through olive groves and vineyards, then direct toward Corniglia.
From Vernazza, boat ride across to Monterosso (or catch the train between the two towns in under ten minutes). Sightsee Cinque Terre’s largest town from a different perspective during a 45-minute light hike through landscapes of terraced vineyards and centuries-old olive trees used for manufacturing olive oil.
Retrace your steps back toward Riomaggiore, with ample time here for shopping, before making your way back on the train to La Spezia and then driving back to Florence.
Are there any combo Cinque Terre tours from Florence including other destinations on the way?
Cinque Terre & Pisa day tour
Among the most recognizable cities in Italy, Florence, Cinque Terre and Pisa are right up there as hotspots.
Get to experience all three in one vacation during a Cinque Terre and Pisa day tour from Firenze, filling up your camera with iconic shots of the country’s colorful Riviera and one of her most famous monuments: the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Have your breath taken away by the “Square of Miracles,” where the Leaning Tower balances alongside three other landmarks: the Cathedral, the Baptistry and the burial grounds (Camposanto).
After investigating the Piazza dei Miracoli (previously known as Piazza del Duomo), travel further up north to the glistening cliff-laden coastline.
Catching trains, boats and using your walking legs a fair amount, experience so much of Italy in one go!
Indulge in a classic Italian lunch in Cinque Terre and head back to Florence.
Cinque Terre & Portovenere day tour
Take the road less traveled on a day tour to the Five Lands and its sixth secret sister on an excursion through Cinque Terre and then to Portovenere — referred to by locals as the “sixth” hidden village of Cinque Terre.
Walk in the footsteps of poets and writers in sleepy Portovenere, nicknamed “The Gulf of Poets” for its dreamlike setting that’s inspired so many literary figures over the centuries.
Straddling the northwestern Ligurian coast, it’s part of the Porto Venere Regional Natural Park, where diving sites delight mermaids and walking trails call out to earth trekkers.
The sea-facing buildings around this magical town are also multi-hued, and the area is home to Palmaria Island with its distinctive whitewashed rock makeup.
With no train station in sight, tours drive directly to Portovenere from La Spezia or catch a boat ride over to the village from either La Spezia or one of the five Cinque Terre villages.
Situated before Cinque Terre, certain tours opt to visit Portovenere first, whilst others savor this destination on the way back from Cinque Terre.
When is the best time to visit Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is busy from pretty much March to November, but it’s the type of destination that travelers trek even when it’s freezing cold! Of course, situated on the coastline, if you really want to experience the best of the Italian Riviera, savor it for the warmer months when you can take advantage of its ocean positioning and it’s not constantly raining.
April and October are fabulous times to visit if you’re dead-keen on its hiking exploits, with cooler weather offering a reprieve from the summer heat. Plus, there are loads of hills throughout the villages and so you will be walking a lot regardless.
You can expect a few drizzly days in these months, but no hectic showers really.
If you’re all about beach days, then May through to September is prime weather, but take note, the streets overflow with tourists, especially in June and September.
Is one day enough to visit Cinque Terre?
Thanks to Cinque Terre’s express train, you can see all five villages very easily in one day!
Each town isn’t overly massive, so a couple of hours in each is enough to give you a real feel of what it’s about.
How can I book a Cinque Terre day tour from Florence?
Boasting completely different landscapes from Tuscany, beautiful beaches, picture-postcard scenery and scrumptious seafood, Cinque Terre is one of the most popular day trips from Firenze.
As a result, there are many websites selling the best Cinque Terre day tours from Florence, each one differing slightly, whether it’s the itinerary, inclusions or mode of transport.
Using the TourScanner search engine, easily compare a multitude of tours and different tour operators, including prices and reviews, all on one platform.
Booking is easy with a few simple clicks.
Can I customize my Cinque Terre day tour?
If there’s a particular town you’d prefer to spend most of your time in, or you’re itching also to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, for example, consider private tours over random groups, where you have the freedom and flexibility to determine your own route for the day.
With a live tour guide leading the way, feel free to ask as many questions as you’d like without worrying about massive group sizes and other chatterbox participants.
Choose exactly where you’d like to wine and dine, and decide if a boat ride is to your liking, or if you’d rather catch the trains between the five villages.
Most private tours include a pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation, but if there’s another location more convenient for you, let the tour operator know beforehand, and this can easily be accommodated.
Travel tips
- Built between and atop cliffs, there are plenty of uphill moments and hiking around Cinque Terre: wear extra comfortable walking shoes.
- On that note, a moderate fitness level is required for day tours around Cinque Terre (unless you’re just visiting Monterosso).
- If you’re planning on hiking, appropriate hiking shoes and gear are absolutely necessary, especially trekking poles!
- Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit, towel and sunblock.
- If traveling here between November and early April, bring along a rain jacket.
- Between October and March, there are usually no boat tours because of the weather.
- Important to note: not all day tours visit all five towns, so it helps to check out your touring route prior.
- Cinque Terre isn’t right next door to Florence, so these full-day excursions depart at the start of the day — there are no midday options.