Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with optional Hiking Tour
If you love an outdoor adventure, our Cinque Terre tour is sure to add a little something special to your Italian holiday. Join us and explore some of the country’s most beautiful coastal towns and admire the stunning landscapes on a guided tour you’re sure to remember for life.
What's included?
- Air-conditioned coach travel
- Full-day guided tour
- Entry to the National Park
- All-day train ticket
- Boat trip along the Riviera (end of March to end of October only - weather permitting)
Highlights
- A magical tour along Cinque Terre’s rugged coast
- Exploration of local villages boasting beautiful scenery and architecture
- Free time in the villages for wine tasting and souvenir shopping
- A scenic boat ride along the Riviera (end of March to end of October only - weather permitting)
Full Itinerary
Depart from Florence
The group will meet at the front of Santa Maria Novella train station and depart Florence at 7.30am, travelling by coach to enter the National Park at the village of Manarola and get a first glimpse of the colourful buildings and verdant vineyards that characterise the area on a panoramic walk. Here you will hop on the train to begin the Cinque Terre tour at Corniglia. An expert guide will lead the group throughout the tour, so getting lost needn’t be a concern!
Explore Corniglia
Upon arrival in Corniglia it is time to test out your walking boots – there are 380 steps from the train station to the clifftop village, but we promise the picture-perfect views of the sea and surrounding hillside are ample reward for your exertions!
For ONLY €17.50 we can arrange for you a hearty two-course meal at a family-run restaurant in Corniglia
Venture to Vernazza
After lunch comes the real adventure: a hike of approximately two miles along the medieval mule trails that skirt the cliffs and connect the hilltop towns of the Cinque Terre (if you choose the tour option without hiking, the train will be used instead to move between villages). You will leave the trail when you reach the village of Vernazza, one of the prettiest and most characteristic areas you will see on the Cinque Terre tour. Here you will have some free time to sit in one of the cheerful bars and cafés or even have a cooling swim in the sea – it’s the perfect time to get refreshed and prepare for the next part of the tour.
If you do fancy a swim, don’t forget to bring suitable clothing and a towel. You don’t want to be completing the rest of the Cinque Terre tour in soggy clothes!
Wine and Shopping in Monterosso
After departing Vernazza, the group will take a short train ride to Monterosso, a village renowned for its beautiful beach and artisan shops. Here you will have the option to relax on the golden sands, browse the shops for souvenirs or even sample some local wine.
A Scenic Boat Ride
Depending on the weather conditions the next part of the experience is a boat ride along the coast to Riomaggiore, where we finish the Cinque Terre tour. We guarantee that the approach from the water will have you reaching for your camera to capture the town’s quintessential Cinque Terre beauty.
Return to Florence
After a quick train trip you will arrive in La Spezia, where a coach will take the group back to Florence. Though your legs might feel tired, you’re sure to have a spring in your step after experiencing this fantastic tour – there’s nothing quite like the Cinque Terre tour!
Know before you go
- Because of the nature of the tour, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties
- Suitable walking shoes are mandatory: sneakers, walking boots or closed toe shoes with non-slip soles - no flipflops!
- In case of unexpected closure of the paths for unforseen events, alternative routes will be taken instead
Reviews of this experience
Leave a review2,030 total reviews
An amazing day in Cinque Terre!
by: Thomas Trimbur on Walkabout
Stefano and Antonio made this tour! They are both knowledgeable, personable and entertaining. We learned a lot, saw a lot, and thoroughly enjoyed the day. The guys managed a large group on and off multiple trains and we always felt safe.
Fast-Paced Fun!
by: Russel Forster on Walkabout
Our guides Noemi and Emma helped us experience all 5 village by train and boat on this whirlwind one-day tour. Highly recommended!
Best Tour EVER!!
by: Nick Schriever on Walkabout
Wow! Where do I start? My wife and I have never been huge tour people and have always found them to be either a waste of time or not quite live up to the expectations. We had a busy trip and wanted to experience the coast after spending the majority of our time in wine country. We were absolutely blown away by the first, the people. Claudia and Tony were such welcoming and friendly people and made the trip fun, entertaining and informational. They gave you enough info while also letting you experience Cinque Terre for yourself. Also need to give a special shout out to Gaspari our bus driver who made getting around and getting picked up very easy after a long day of walking. As for Cinque Terre itself, we were blessed with a beautiful day for seeing the sites and soaking in the culture. Our favorite part was definitely the hike from Corniglia to Vernazza, with the reward being the incredible lemon and lemon and orange slushees at the cool little bar at the peak with an incredible view. We are SOOO happy we did this tour after our previous experience with tours. I couldn’t recommend this tour enough and if you’re lucky enough to get Claudia and Tony, you won’t be disappointed!!
Best Tour EVER!!
by: Nick Schriever on Walkabout
Wow! Where do I start? My wife and I have never been huge tour people and have always found them to be either a waste of time or not quite live up to the expectations. We had a busy trip and wanted to experience the coast after spending the majority of our time in wine country. We were absolutely blown away by the first, the people. Claudia and Tony were such welcoming and friendly people and made the trip fun, entertaining and informational. They gave you enough info while also letting you experience Cinque Terre for yourself. Also need to give a special shout out to Gaspari our bus driver who made getting around and getting picked up very easy after a long day of walking. As for Cinque Terre itself, we were blessed with a beautiful day for seeing the sites and soaking in the culture. Our favorite part was definitely the hike from Corniglia to Vernazza, with the reward being the incredible lemon and lemon and orange slushees at the cool little bar at the peak with an incredible view. We are SOOO happy we did this tour after our previous experience with tours. I couldn’t recommend this tour enough and if you’re lucky enough to get Claudia and Tony, you won’t be disappointed!!
Our favorite day!
by: Amanda Hulin on Walkabout
Stefano with help from Tony and Juan Carlo were perfect guides for this beautiful area and intricate, long but amazing day! They were fun, knowledgeable and organized!
Amazing!
by: Amara Hansen on Walkabout
My family of 4 did this tour and it was beautiful! Our guides Victoria, Manuel, and Genevra were great and helpful for exploring the city and questions about the area. Just keep in mind there was a lot of walking (about 7.5 miles). However, the views were 100% worth it.
Amazing!
by: Amara Hansen on Walkabout
My family of 4 did this tour and it was beautiful! Our guides Victoria, Manuel, and Genevra were great and helpful for exploring the city and questions about the area. Just keep in mind there was a lot of walking (about 7.5 miles). However, the views were 100% worth it.
Amazing!
by: Amara Hansen on Walkabout
My family of 4 did this tour and it was beautiful! Our guides Victoria, Manuel, and Genevra were great and helpful for exploring the city and questions about the area. Just keep in mind there was a lot of walking (about 7.5 miles). However, the views were 100% worth it.
Amazing!
by: Amara Hansen on Walkabout
My family of 4 did this tour and it was beautiful! Our guides Victoria, Manuel, and Genevra were great and helpful for exploring the city and questions about the area. Just keep in mind there was a lot of walking (about 7.5 miles). However, the views were 100% worth it.
Cinque Terre & Tuscany Day Trips
by: Lizza Robb on Walkabout
We had two AMAZING back-to-back tour days with David in Cinque Terre and Tuscany. The tours themselves were fantastic--well organized, well executed, and well worth our money and time. The Cinque Terre trip was our favorite. A highlight was David, our tour guide. He was knowledgeable, personable, kind, and patient (he had some tough characters to deal with). He clearly has expertise in group facilitation and tourism, but he's also just a genuinely wonderful person. We felt lucky to be with him two days in a row. Tip for the Cinque Terre trip: if you're physically able, do the optional hike!
Frequently Asked Questions
DO YOU DO HOTEL PICK-UPS OR DO YOU HAVE A CENTRAL MEETING POINT?
We do not organise hotel pick-ups for difficulties with parking and scheduling, but our meeting point at Florence's main train station is very central and should be easy to get to. Many hotels are located within easy walking distance of the train station, otherwise a taxi (you could ask your hotel to book it for you) would be the fastest option, dropping you off right at our meeting point.
WE ARE CATCHING A TRAIN AFTER THE TOUR, CAN WE BRING OUR LUGGAGE WITH US?
Our tours leave from and return to the main railway station in Florence, so if you are travelling on by train, bring your luggage with you in the morning and take the train in the evening directly after the tour. You will save both time and money by not having to use the luggage deposit! We recommend that you book any rail travel from Florence after 9pm to allow time for any traffic delays. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or extra expense incurred in the unlikely case of delays due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING AND WEAR?
Please dress appropriately for the day. Suitable walking shoes are essential and remember to bring something waterproof in case of rain. The summer months can be very hot; a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, a water bottle and comfortable clothes are highly recommended. If you want to take a refreshing swim in the sea during your free time make sure you remember to bring swimmers and a towel with you! Don't forget your camera!
ARE SNEAKERS OK IF I DON'T HAVE PROPER WALKING SHOES?
You MUST have suitable walking shoes if you have chosen the hiking tour option; sneakers with closed toe shoes with non slip soles are acceptable. Flip-flops, sandals or high heels are not suitable!
HOW LONG IS THE BUS RIDE?
The ride to the Cinque Terre is about two hours.
CAN WE STAY IN THE CINQUE TERRE?
If you would like to stay over in the Cinque Terre area, you will be able to bring your luggage with you on the coach, where it can remain all day (locked up in the hold underneath). Then you can collect your luggage from our driver at the end of the tour when the rest of the group returns to Florence.
IS THE TOUR SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?
The tour is open to all ages from the age of 8.
IS THERE MUCH WALKING INVOLVED?
Only if you choose the tour option with the Cinque Terre Hike! The hiking part of the tour for people of above average fitness who enjoy trail walking. Although we do not cover long distances, there are many steps, steep slopes and the walk can be strenuous at times, especially in the heat of the summer. We are unable to accept anyone with walking difficulties or wheelchair users.
