Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Boat Ride
Visit these iconic fishing villages the easy way on this tour to the beautiful Italian Riviera
Looking for a stress-free way to see the stunning coastline and brightly colored fishing villages of Cinque Terre? With return transport from Florence, this day tour makes it easy to explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s truly worth the hype. You’ll visit four of the Italy's most beautiful seaside villages, with free time to get lost in their cobbled streets, find a spot for a delicious Mediterranean lunch, laze on picture-perfect beaches, and enjoy a boat ride along the coast.
- Meeting point in Piazzale Montelungo bus terminal
- Roundtrip
- Manarola
- Vernazza
- Guided tour
- Monterosso al Mare
- Sunbathe at the beach
- Boat ride
- Riomaggiore
- End your tour
Setting off early to make the most of the day, you'll meet your local guide at Piazzale Montelungo bus terminal in central Florence, where you'll board a comfortable, air-conditioned coach for a journey through Tuscany to the Ligurian Coast—home to the villages of Cinque Terre. You'll arrive first in Manarola, before visiting Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, and Riomaggiore, traveling between them on the local train and by boat to see a different perspective of the coast.
Although this trip operates with a larger group than you'll find on most of our tours, a lot of your time today will be free to explore the villages, viewpoints, and local bars and restaurants independently. Your local trip leader will be there to provide advice on where to go, what to do, and to make sure you get from village to village (and back to Florence, of course!).
Cinque Terre Day Tour Description
Your full-day tour includes:
Private, air-conditioned, round-trip transportation from Florence
Visit the villages of Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare, with train tickets included
Boat ride along the coast to Riomaggiore (weather permitting)
English-speaking trip leader
Group coach tour with plenty of free time
This tour is usually conducted in one language only, English. On some occasions, however, explanations may be given in two languages (English and Spanish) during the bus ride. Once you arrive at the destination, you will have a dedicated English-speaking tour leader.
Travel From Florence
Your day begins with a journey through northern Tuscany on an air-conditioned coach, starting from a convenient location in downtown Florence, close to most hotels and the Santa Maria Novella train station. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your trip leader shares stories and advice on how to spend your day on the beautiful Italian Riviera.
The UNESCO Villages of Cinque Terre
Only a few decades ago, these five quaint towns on the Ligurian coast were isolated and unknown to most of the world. On this trip you will explore the wonderful natural harbors and streets of brightly painted houses that used to guide the fishermen ashore.
Your first stop is to explore the medieval alleyways of Manarola, the second smallest of the five villages, and famous for a sweet dessert wine called Sciacchetrà. After a quick briefing, you'll be free to stroll around independently until it's time to catch the coastal train to Vernazza.
The colorful port of Vernazza is regarded as one of Italy's most beautiful villages, and is overlooked by a centuries-old castle high on the rocks. Another short train journey will bring you to the wonderful beaches of Monterosso, where you can sunbathe on the sand and take in the breeze of the Mediterranean.
Sail to the Last Stop
Riomaggiore famous for its panoramic views, blue waters and more amazing pastel homes. To arrive in Riomaggiore, and if the weather allows, you'll sail down the coast by boat, taking in a whole new perspective of the cliffs and towns dotted along the rocky seafront. In case of rough weather or rough seas, the boat ride will be replaced by a relaxed train route to Riomaggiore. You'll have time here to enjoy the views from the panoramic terraces of the village, and perhaps refresh yourself with a cold drink or two before heading back to the city.
In the late afternoon, your driver will return with the coach to take you and the rest of your group back to central Florence. If you're hungry from all the sunshine and exploring, your guide will be happy to advise on some great nearby places for your evening meal.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
38 total reviews
Leave a reviewGreat tour
Matthew Reeves
The tour to Cinque Terre was great. Very well organised and went smoothly and our guide Alex was excellent
Catherine Sullivan
Cinque Terre
diane Robinson
Excellent trip Lots of free time in each stop Didn’t feel rushed Highly recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and comfortable shoes. You'll also have some time to swim from the beach if you'd like to, so come prepared! A light jacket is also recommended in cooler months.
What to bring?
We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and comfortable shoes. You'll also have some time to swim from the beach if you'd like to, so come prepared! A light jacket is also recommended in cooler months.
How long will we have at each stop?
At each village, you'll have about 1 to 1.5 hours of free time to explore, shop, try the local food, or even take a swim.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
That's up to you, since most of your exploring will be done independently. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views if you don't feel like walking much. Please bear in mind that these villages are very old, with some steep inclines and uneven streets, so we don't recommend this tour for people with significant mobility issues.
How will I travel between the villages?
Your tour includes tickets for the local train between villages, which your guide will provide. Your final journey, to Riomaggiore, will be by boat, if the weather allows, otherwise it will be by train.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
This tour is run by one of our trusted and thoroughly vetted partners in Florence.
Will we have a tour guide the whole day?
You'll be accompanied by a trip leader throughout the day who will ensure you arrive and depart at the right stops. They'll also have lots of recommendations of places to eat and explore at each village. While they are not a dedicated tour guide, they are knowledgeable about the area and will help ensure a smooth day trip through Cinque Terre.
Is lunch included in the price of this tour?
Lunch is not included, but you will have time to eat on your own at various points in the day!
Is there hotel pick up or drop off?
There is no hotel pick up or drop off for this tour. You will meet your guide and group at the designated meeting point.
Is this a monolingual tour?
This tour is usually conducted in one language only, English. On some occasions, however, explanations may be given in two languages (English and Spanish) during the bus ride. Once you arrive at the destination, you will have a dedicated English-speaking tour leader..
Is the boat transportation always guaranteed?
For the safety of our customers, the boat trip will not take place in case of rough seas or choppy waters. In such cases, transportation will be provided by train, and no refunds will be issued.
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