Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip: Our Tour

Tuscany’s charm lies in its perfect blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and convenient proximity to other iconic destinations. 

While Florence dazzles with art and culture, why not make your visit even more memorable with a day trip to the Cinque Terre? 

Tuscany Daily Tours offers a seamless journey into one of Italy’s most breathtaking regions, ensuring an unforgettable experience filled with natural beauty, vibrant villages, and panoramic views.

Discover everything you need to know about the Florence to 5 Terre day trip, including tips, itinerary details, and must-see highlights. Let’s dive into this exciting adventure!

Where is Cinque Terre in Italy?

The Cinque Terre, or “Five Lands,” is a picturesque coastal area in Liguria, located in northwestern Italy.

Nestled west of La Spezia in the province’s rugged landscape, this UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises five enchanting villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Together with their dramatic coastline and lush hillsides, they form the Cinque Terre National Park. Vernazza holds the title of one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy" (“I Borghi più belli d'Italia”).

Over centuries, locals have crafted terraced vineyards and built charming homes on steep cliffs that overlook the crystal-clear Ligurian Sea. 

While exploring the area, you’ll find that paths, trains, and boats are the main ways to connect these villages, as accessing them by car involves challenging mountain roads.

Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip: The Perfect Itinerary

Embark on an exciting adventure to discover the enchanting landscapes  of the Cinque Terre.

This Florence to Cinque Terre day trip will leave you in awe of its five iconic villages, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their unique harmony between land and sea.

Your Florence to Cinque Terre day trip starts bright and early as you head to the meeting point in the city centre.

How Far is Cinque Terre from Florence?

Meet your guide at Piazzale Montelungo Bus Terminal, just a short 5-10 minute walk from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station. 

The comfortable coach bus ride to the Cinque Terre takes approximately two hours.

During the journey, your guide will provide valuable insights into the region’s history and highlights. Feel free to ask questions to make the most of your experience.

Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip: First Stop

First stop is Riomaggiore, where you will be welcomed by more brightly colored homes stacked on striking cliffs. Admire the typical tower houses, high and narrow shape, coloured in yellow or pink and surmounted by slate roofs.

Enjoy about one hour of free time exploring the village, purchase an artisanal souvenir (authentic suggestions down below) and admire the lovely views. 

Then, find the group again and take the little train to reach the second stop!

Second Stop of the Cinque Terre Tour: Manarola

Next, you’ll arrive at Manarola, one of the oldest villages in the Cinque Terre, dating back to the 13th century. Famous for its white wine production and picturesque charm, Manarola’s colorful homes seem to cascade down the cliffs toward the sea.

Its name probably comes from an ancient “magna roea", that is a large water mill wheel of which remains evidence in the old oil mill in the lower part of the town.

Enjoy fantastic views of its 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 pictures.You will have about an hour of free time to explore this picturesque town as you prefer.

Monterosso al Mare: Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip’s Third Stop

Proceeding with our Florence to Cinque Terre day trip, the train will ride to your next stop in about ten minutes. 

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages. Known as “The Pearl of the Cinque Terre,” Monterosso is famous for its pristine white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters. Take this opportunity to relax, swim, or sunbathe on the shore.

When you’ll arrive, your guide will give some suggestions for how you can spend your time in Monterosso, the favourite town of the well-known poet Eugenio Montale.

This historic fishing town is most famous for its wide, white sand beaches with crystal-clear water. Spend some time exploring the ancient village, taste a typical pesto pasta or delicious seafood for lunch.

Then, take your time to relax under the sun, take a bath in the incredible sea! You will have plenty of free time in Monterosso to relax and to feel the seabreeze on your skin.

Historical Gem:  The first historical information regarding Monterosso date back to 1201, when the lords of Lagneto, owners of the castle of which today only some ruins remain, made an agreement with Genoa. In 1214 the Monterosso's community was established, and the first fortifications were built to protect the hamlet from the invasion of the Saracens, so that this became the most majestic defense system in the Cinque Terre.

Vernazza by Boat: the Perfect Ending

From Monterosso, you will enjoy a 10 minutes boat ride to head to the nearby village of Vernazza. 

This is the only natural port  of the Cinque Terre, created by a rocky spur that stretches into the sea. It’s here that the village rises. Perhaps for this reason it is considered by many the most evocative towns, where the typical colorful and developed tower houses have more graceful shapes and are embellished with decorations and porticoes.

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 sea will be an experience you will not forget.

You will have about 1 hour of free time in this nice waterfront town. We suggest you to have a look at Castello Doria and its tower. 

Enjoy the characteristic views of Vernazza's emerald water and colorful. As you sail along the coastline, enjoy panoramic views of the cliffs and colorful villages from the sea. This perspective offers a unique way to appreciate the village’s beauty.

At the end of the Florence to Cinque Terre day trip you will return to Florence with our guide. In around two hours you will be back at Santa Maria Novella with a bag full of unforgettable memories. 

If you want to be sure to head back knowing the authenticity of Cinque Terre, keep reading our suggestions!

Not to Miss in Cinque Terre, Italy

Our guide will help you find the authentic Cinque Terre spirit, but here’s a list of not to miss  secrets. Be sure to check it all!

Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church in Vernazza

The small square overlooking the sea and the Gothic church dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch are the main attractions together with the Doria Castle, a defence against attacks from the sea.

Nostra Signora di Montenero Sanctuary in Riomaggiore

The first testimonies to the existence of the Nostra Signora di Montenero Church, with three naves, dates back to 1335, and it is the result of a series of renovation works that ended in the 19th century.

DOC white wine

Include in your tour a wine tasting of the Cinque Terre productions. Try the whites from Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino white grapes, which are served chilled.

Frisé de burbugiun

Do not miss this fried pancakes made of pumpkin flower, a tasty appetizer.

The anchovies of Monterosso

Fished from June onwards and left to mature in salt, in chestnut barrels or terracotta pots, try this delicacy for a deep taste of the sea.

Sciacchetrà delle Cinque Terre

Accompany a dessert with the medium-sweet Sciacchetrà, an intense passito wine.Try it with dry pastries or pandolce genovese. 

Sagra del limone in May

During the Lemon Festival in Monterosso al Mare, you can taste, at the many banquets arranged in the streets of the village, the “limoncino”, the typical lemon cream, jam and lemon cake produced with the typical fruit of the little town.

Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip: The Perfect Souvenir

The historical activities of Cinque Terre were agriculture, which drew the famous terraced landscape, and fishing. 

Every cellar in Cinque Terre contained the famous salted anchovies, whose aroma mixed to the smell of wine in a unique symbiosis.

The wine production and the culinary recipes are a proof of the local tradition and of the lifestyle of the Cinque Terre's inhabitants; they represent a real expression of the local culture.

Instead of useless souvenirs, we want to suggest you a list of typical products which can help local artisan and producers to keep traditions and culture safe.

Here are some examples, but you will find more here, suggested directly from Parco Nazionale 5 Terre official site. 

Monterosso Salted Anchovies

These anchovies are fished using traditional methods and hand-processed within days to preserve their fresh taste. Layered in salt and pressed to perfection, they’re a gourmet delight.Try them with oil, oregano, and garlic for an excellent appetizer or a second course.

Honey of the Cinque Terre

This unique honey is harvested from wildflowers (an high percentage of erica flowers) and terraces overlooking the sea, offering a taste of the region’s unspoiled nature. It’s a perfect souvenir for those who appreciate natural and artisanal products.

Lemons: The Symbol of Cinque Terre

Cultivated since the 17th century, Cinque Terre’s lemons are renowned for their rich flavor. From limoncino liqueur to lemon-infused jams and pastries, these citrus treasures are a must-try.

Florence to Cinque Terre day trip? Buy some Sciacchetrà!

This straw wine, made from Bosco, Albarola, and Vermentino grapes, is a symbol of Cinque Terre’s winemaking tradition. Its intense flavor pairs beautifully with desserts or aged cheeses.

Some think the name comes from the dialect "sciacàa", meaning the Italian "schiacciare" (to crush), used to mean the pressing of grapes, but the origin of this word remains a mystery. What is certain is that this fine wine has become the symbol par excellence of the Cinque Terre.

Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip Comes to an End

Last suggestions for your Florence to Cinque Terre day trip?

Don’t forget to dress in layers, check the official website for weather forecasts and read the Hiker’s Handbook.

In this brief guide you will learn all the must-known rules for visiting the National Park of Cinque Terre.

Book now your Florence to Cinque Terre day trip with TuscanyDailyTours and let us guide you through an extraordinary adventure. From stunning vistas to local delicacies, this journey promises to be an unforgettable highlight of your time in Italy.

Have a safe journey!