Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking
Florence, IT
96% of travellers recommend this
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Duration: 13 hours
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Professional English guide
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Entry to Cinque Terre Park
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Scenic boat ride (seasonal)
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Transport from Florence included
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Free time in coastal villages
Experience the stunning beauty of Cinque Terre on a day trip from Florence, complete with hiking options and breathtaking coastal views.
Featured Reviews
Included
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Time to explore the cinque terre villages on foot -
Boat ride along the riviera (end march to end october only - weather permitting)
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Entry tickets to the cinque terre national park
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A fun and professional guide who is there to lead you through the day
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Transport between florence and cinque terre by coach plus all other transport for the day
Experience the stunning beauty of Cinque Terre on a day trip from Florence, complete with hiking options and breathtaking coastal views.
Highlights
- Spectacular coastal views of the Italian Riviera
- Free time for wine tasting, shopping, or swimming in turquoise waters
- Scenic boat ride along the Cinque Terre coastline
- High-quality English-speaking tour guide for maximum customer service
Meeting Point
Check-in: 7.15am - Your guide will be holding a WALKABOUT sign, right by the taxi stand at Santa Maria Novella train station across from the outside McDonald's
Piazza della Stazione, 14/39, 50123 Firenze FI , Italy
End Point
Check-in: 7.15am - Your guide will be holding a WALKABOUT sign, right by the taxi stand at Santa Maria Novella train station across from the outside McDonald's
Piazza della Stazione, 14/39, 50123 Firenze FI , Italy
What to expect
Walkabout Tour Pick Up
Check-in and departure point
15 minutes
Borgo Storico di Manarola
Built in the valley of the torrente Groppo, until 1950 the stream which runs through the town was completely uncovered and 11 stone bridges allowed the people to cross from one side to the other. Over the next thirty years the stream was gradually covered over. The ancient village was destroyed by Saracen pirates (in 849) and the surviving people fled in land to live. When the seas were made safe again in the 11th century, people came back to settle here under the protection of the Republic of Genova. By the 1200's cultivation of vines was not only established but the wine they produced was sought after. The church of San Lorenzo was begun in 1338. The patron saint is celebrated on the 10th of August with a procession through the streets carrying a statue of him. The castle which protected the town from pirates is now a private home, you can see the garden from the panoramic walk, it is on the rock immediately above the port. Manarola is now famous for its Christmas nativity scene which is the biggest in the world. Figures outlined in thousands of lights cover the hillside. Also an Easter scene is made.
60 minutes
Borgo Storico di Corniglia
The middle town of the five, Corniglia is the smallest town and sits at 90 metres above sea level. The name derives from the huge spur of rock on which the village sits. Population of about only 200. San Pietro church from the fourteenth century on the site of an eleventh century chapel. San Pietro's day is 29th June and as part of the celebrations, there is a procession through the streets. A special savoury tart is prepared with rice, eggs and cheese and is shared among the people who take part in the procession.
60 minutes
Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre
These ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled, do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Because of the nature of the hike, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties.
480 minutes
Vernazza
Vernazza is unique in the Cinque Terre because of the small port that was built allowing ships to land in the protected bay. It was already a fortified village and efficient maritime base in the earliest records available from the eleventh century. Today there are traces of the military defences built by the Genovese in the thirteenth century such as traces of the old walls, ramparts and the look out tower.
60 minutes
Borgo Antico
There was a castle here before 1200 and some ruins of it can still be seen. The community of Monterosso was founded in 1214. The church of San Giovanni Battista, built-in 1220 has a bell tower built in 1400 as a lookout tower. The church of San Antonio di Mesco was built in 1335.
60 minutes
Spiaggia di Fegina
The new town is called Fegina and is linked to the old part of Monterosso by a pedestrian tunnel. Statue of Neptune built into the rock, but made of concrete so badly deteriorated, was built by an architect in the 1920's. The sandy shelf provides the ideal habitat for seagrass which acts as a lung for the waters of the Cinque Terre and provides a beautiful beach for us. The whole area is a marine protected area, like the sea version of a national park. 2007 Forbes magazine called Monterosso the sexiest beach in the world....whatever that may mean.
60 minutes
Monterosso
Boat Ride (weather permitting)
40 minutes
Admission Included
Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore
At Riomaggiore, centuries ago, the distinctive tall, colourful houses known as Genovese tower houses arranged in rows connected by alleys, arches and steps provided a defense against pirates. House colours are regulated by the comune. You can't just paint them any colour you like! Houses have two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on the higher road, so that when they were attacked by pirates, the people could escape. At the end of the eighteen hundreds the railway came along the coast and Riomaggiore, along with the other towns of the cinque terrre came out of their historic isolation, even though a road wouldn't reach them until the 1970's. Language, lingua ligure, the villages were so cut off even from each other that they spoke different dialects of the same language.
60 minutes
Stazione La Spezia Centrale
Coach transfer back to Florence
Additional Information
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Public transportation options are available nearby -
Not recommended for participants with spinal injuries
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Not recommended for pregnant participants
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Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
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Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
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Suitable walking shoes are mandatory for those doing the hiking – no flip-flops. Suggestions: walking boots or sneakers, closed toe shoes with non-slip soles.
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If you want to swim during free time, please remember to bring your own towel and swimwear.
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On rare occasions the boat ride will stop operating due to bad weather or strong winds. It is beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued.
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In case of unexpected closure of the paths for unforeseen events, alternative routes will be taken instead for those doing the hiking
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A large amount of walking is involved for those doing the hiking. You must be of average fitness and be able to keep up with the rest of the group.
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Due to uneven surfaces, we cannot accept anyone with walking difficulties, below average fitness, or young children.
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Minimum age is 8 years.
What our experts say
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Visit local wineries for tastings. -
Try the focaccia in Vernazza.
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Bring swimwear for beach time.
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Wear sturdy shoes for hiking.
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Check boat ride status before trip.
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