How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Cinque Terre from Florence

Considering taking a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence? 

You’re probably daydreaming of sipping local white wine, snacking on fried seafood, and swimming in azure waters under those iconic rainbow-colored villages and terraced farms…

But also, I bet you’re wondering how to get to Cinque Terre from Florence; how long the journey takes; and if a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre is even worth it.

Well, I’ve embarked on a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence multiple times, so I can confidently say: this gorgeous region along the Italian Riviera is a bucket-list destination.

If you only have one day to spare, a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre is well worth taking – and easy enough to organize! (As long as you can handle crowds…)

Read on to discover my favorite guided tour and details about how to take a self-guided day trip. From train travel tips, hiking trails, and ferry routes to what to do in each village, this guide covers everything you need to know to plan the perfect Cinque Terre day trip from Florence!

About Cinque Terre National Park

Cinque Terre is located in the northwestern region of Liguria and is part of the Italian Riviera – a gorgeous stretch of coastline along the Ligurian Sea. And since Tuscany borders Liguria to the east, Cinque Terre is actually pretty close to Florence!

If you didn’t already know, the Italian word cinque means five and terre means lands. There are five colorful villages in the Cinque Terre (Five Lands): Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. This region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 3,860-hectare parco nazionale (national park), and protected marine area.

On a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence, you can see all five villages in one day – via trains, ferries, and/or hiking trails.

The steep and rugged hills of the Cinque Terre soar out of the sparkling sea. Dotted with terraced vineyards, colorful houses, walking tracks with panoramic views, gorgeous beaches, hidden bays and lagoons, gelaterias, local wine bars, and seafood-focused trattorias, this lush region is a dream come true.

Similar to the Amalfi Coast, these days, Cinque Terre is very crowded… and only getting busier each year. But still, Cinque Terre is one of the best day trips from Florence.

How to Get to Cinque Terre from Florence

You have two great options for your day trip to Cinque Terre: 

1. Go on this guided tour from Florence to Cinque Terre for a fun, stress-free day trip with plenty of free time (I highly recommend this; I’ve done it twice!)
2. Go on a self-guided day trip for maximum freedom, but a lot more planning is required

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about each option… 

Guided Day Trip to Cinque Terre from Florence (My Recommendation!)

This Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence (with Optional Hiking) is so fun and well-organized that I have actually done it twice! Once in 2016, and again in 2024. 

On this Cinque Terre day trip, you’ll visit all five breathtaking fishing villages in one day. This 13-hour roundtrip adventure from Florence starts at 7:30 AM and ends around 8:30 PM – just in time for Italian dinnertime!

Every moment of this Cinque Terre day trip is jam-packed with wonder. Stunning coastal views, ingenious terraced farms, gorgeous swimming spots, gelaterias, centuries-old cobblestone streets, beachfront wine bars, and delicious food await…

Plus, you’ll learn all about the rich heritage of Liguria – and Cinque Terre, specifically – from your expert tour guide.

For me, the beauty of this day trip is having your guide organize everything for you! Between the tickets and timetables for the trains and ferries in Cinque Terre – and the transportation between Florence and La Spezia – you don’t have to think about anything.

The hardest decision you’ll have to make is whether or not you want to hike… and which town is your favorite. (It’s impossible to choose… But mine is probably Monterosso al Mare!)

Click here to book your Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence (with Optional Hiking).

Why Choose a Guided Tour?

Sometimes, you just want an expert to plan the logistics for you, so you can maximize your time having fun. There’s no shame in that! This is a vacation, after all.

In short, on this Cinque Terre Day Trip, you will:

• Travel via an air-conditioned bus to La Spezia (the gateway to Cinque Terre) and back
• Have your guide manage the logistics of the regional trains and ferry, while providing a balanced schedule across all five villages
• Have free time in each village to do your own thing
• Enjoy a traditional lunch at a family restaurant (bring cash!), including fresh seafood appetizers and the iconic Ligurian pasta alla pesto with potatoes and green beans 
• Get the opportunity to hike a breathtaking 2-mile section of the coastal trail between Corniglia to Vernazza (totally optional!)
• Learn about each village’s history, landscapes, flora, and fauna; the guides are super knowledgeable and passionate!
• See the towns from the sea on a boat ride from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore (weather permitting)

I can’t recommend this tour enough! Click here to book your Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence (with Optional Hiking).

Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip Itinerary (Self-Guided!)

Want to tackle this day trip on your own? Here’s a detailed itinerary to help you plan the perfect day.

Self-Guided Day Trip Route Overview

• Take the 2-hour regional train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to La Spezia Centrale (or drive your rental car)
• Take the local Cinque Terre Express Train from La Spezia to any of the five villages (i.e. start in northernmost Monterosso al Mare or southernmost Riomaggiore)
• Travel from one village to the next via the train, ferry, and/or hiking trails
• Take the train from your last town back to La Spezia train station
• Take the 2-hour regional train from La Spezia back to Florence

How to Get to Cinque Terre from Florence

Okay, let’s dive into how to get from Florence to Cinque Terre, and back.

By Train

Italy has a well-connected and affordable train network. But during the peak season, Cinque Terre can be extremely busy. I recommend buying your train tickets three to four weeks in advance.

You need to purchase two sets of train tickets: 

• A roundtrip regional train ticket from Florence to La Spezia Centrale. Purchase it via Trenitalia.
• A Cinque Terre Treno MS Card

Florence to La Spezia

The main Florence train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella; in 2024, the quickest route to La Spezia takes 2 hours. (La Spezia is the gateway town to Cinque Terre National Park.)

I recommend leaving Florence as early as possible to explore this magnificent coastline.

Via Trenitalia, I recommend booking the ~7:34 AM train that arrives in La Spezia at ~9:37 AM. The schedule differs slightly on Sundays and public holidays.

Expect to spend between €40 to €70 for a roundtrip ticket from Florence to La Spezia, depending on when you book and availability!

The 94-mile journey from Florence to La Spezia offers beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside. The family-run farms, medieval castles, Roman aqueducts, and luscious landscapes only add to the splendor of this amazing day trip!

Check the timetable and purchase your tickets in advance here.

La Spezia to Cinque Terre

Once in La Spezia, catch the Cinque Terre Coastal Express Train with your Cinque Terre Treno MS Card, and get off at whichever village you like. 

See the next section for how to get around Cinque Terre and itinerary ideas! 

By Car

Driving a rental car? I don’t recommend driving beyond La Spezia; Cinque Terre isn’t car-friendly.

Instead, park near La Spezia Centrale train station (you can try to find a spot in the Park Centro Stazione garage located underneath the train station).

Then, with your pre-purchased Treno MS Card train pass, catch the train from La Spezia to any of the five villages in Cinque Terre. 

About the Cinque Terre Card

The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card includes Cinque Terre National Park access; unlimited second-class train travel between La Spezia, the five villages of Cinque Terre, and Levanto; and some hiking trails. Find details and buy your pass here. 

A one-day adult train card costs between €19 to €32, depending on the specific date (i.e. low vs. high season); there are also discounted rates for children, families of four, and multi-day passes. 

I recommend purchasing your pass online to save time. During the high season, the queue can take an hour!

How to Get Around Cinque Terre

Once you arrive in Cinque Terre, you can travel between the villages via:

• the regional trains,
• ferries,
• buses, and 
• on foot via the hiking trails

Using the Coastal Train in Cinque Terre

Throughout the day, the Cinque Terre Express trains run roughly every 20 minutes, between Levanto and La Spezia (and vice versa); it stops in all five Cinque Terre villages along the way. It takes about five minutes to travel from one village to the next. Here’s the train timetable. 

As stated, you get unlimited train travel with your Treno MS Card.

Train itinerary idea: If you only want to travel via train, you could follow this route from south to north, La Spezia > Riomaggiore > Manarola > Corniglia > Vernazza > Monterosso > and back to La Spezia (or do it in reverse, starting in Monterosso).

Hiking the Cinque Terre

Want to hike a small portion of the Cinque Terre? Access to the hiking trails from Monterosso to Vernazza, and Vernazza to Corniglia, are included in the Treno MS Card. 

However, if you only want to hike around this UNESCO World Heritage site, you must purchase the Cinque Terre Trekking Card. The trekking card costs €7.50 (or €15 on certain peak season dates). Purchase it online to avoid high-season queues! 

Note: Trains aren’t included in the trekking pass, so purchase train tickets for La Spezia to Riomaggiore, and Monterosso back to La Spezia.

Hiking from Riomaggiore to Monterosso (or vice versa) is challenging, especially if it’s hot! It’ll take about 5 hours, not including stops in the towns along the way. 

Wear your hiking boots – and maybe bring some trekking poles too.

Using the Coastal Ferry in Cinque Terre

If the weather is nice and the wind is low, I highly recommend going on the ferry. You’ll have a completely different perspective of this glorious coastline!

But don’t buy tickets in advance! Wind and waves often prevent the service from running!

You can buy a one-way ticket at the dock for €10 to €15 (route dependent), or a one-day round-trip ticket for a flat fee of €41. There are ticket windows near each village’s dock.

Ferries depart every hour from each of the villages, except Corniglia. There is no ferry service to Corniglia since it’s up the hill.

Itinerary idea including a ferry ride: During my Guided Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence, we took the train from La Spezia to the second southernmost village, Manarola. Throughout the day, via trains and hiking trails, we made our way to the northernmost town of Monterosso. Next, we took the 50-minute ferry all the way down to the southernmost town, Riomaggiore. And finally, we caught the train back to La Spezia. This is a fantastic route, whether you want to go on this guided day tour (highly recommended!) or do it yourself!

From May through late-September the last ferry leaves Monterosso at 5:25 PM; during the shoulder season, through November 3rd, the last ferry leaves at 4:25 PM. To catch this ferry head, to the pier near Piazza Garibaldi.

Bussing Around Cinque Terre

Buses are included in your Cinque Terre Treno MS Card. You probably won’t use them, but here’s the timetable, just in case!

Seasons in Cinque Terre

In 2024, the Cinque Terre touristic season began in March. The high season runs from May through September. The tourist season ends on November 4th, when ferries and many other services stop operating. The 2025 Cinque Terre season will begin again on March 14th.

During the shoulder season (March, April, and October), prices and crowds can still increase to high season levels on weekends and public holidays.

Off-Season Access to Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre’s off-season runs between early November and mid-March.

During the off-season, the train still operates, although on a limited schedule. The hiking trails are free, although bad weather and poor track conditions can close certain routes. Don’t stress – there are always alternative routes available!

As the high season gets busier and busier, the off-season is a fantastic time to experience the Cinque Terre region at a slower pace!

Overview of the Five Villages of Cinque Terre

From terraced farms, seafood shops, gelaterias, wine bars, and breathtaking viewpoints to picturesque marinas, sandy beaches, and age-old churches, each village has a unique flair. 

Now that you know how to take a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre, let’s quickly cover the best things to see, do, and eat in each village!

Riomaggiore

• This ancient fishing village is known for amazing seafood cones; head to Il Pescato Cucinato and get a large mixed seafood cone – perfect for two people. This is the best spot in town.
• The view from the southern-side terrace is serious screensaver material – it’s one of the most iconic spots along the coastline. Catch the perfect view of the boat ramp, colorful houses across the hillside, and panoramic views of the northern coastline and the Mediterranean Sea.
• See the small Gothic-style Church of San Giovanni Battista, founded in 1340.
• Swim at the tiny pebble beach.

Manarola

• The small town of Manarola has a winding street heading up the hill with a cute church at the top.
• Near the church, find the start of “Trail 6p”; walk for 10 minutes and you’ll find a beautiful viewpoint.
• Notice the small vegetable gardens, lemon trees, and cascading terraced farms as you stroll along the main street.
• Down near the water’s edge, follow the street to the north and find the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint.
• Pop into a couple of ceramics shops – but note that everything in Cinque Terre is way more expensive than elsewhere in Italy!
• If you are up for a swim, Manarola has good access to the sea; if you have more time, you can even rent a kayak.

Corniglia

• Perched up on the hill, Corniglia offers a different perspective of the region.
• As the middle town, Corniglia is a logical place to have lunch! Try pesto pasta with green beans and potatoes, plus whatever fresh, local seafood is available! On my guided tour of Cinque Terre, we dined at Ristorante Cecio over panoramic views of the Corniglia and the Ligurian Sea. 
• Stroll the narrow alleys that trickle through the village, past souvenir shops, bars (always good for a takeaway Aperol spritz/negroni), gelaterias, and finally, a terrace with a view of the coastline and sea.
• Look out for La Scuna Wine & Beer; they have a great rooftop bar with a view!

Vernazza

• The village of Vernazza cascades down to the sea’s edge, with the 14th-century Church of St. Margaret of Antioch towering above the rocky bay and port.
• Swim at the small beach and lay out on one of the giant rocks.
• Grab a gelato at Gelato Amore Mio – I’ve tried all the gelaterias in Vernazza and think this one’s the best!
• Climb the steep alleyway to Ristorante Bar Al Castello for an Aperol spritz (not food!) and a view of Vernazza’s little harbor.

Monterosso al Mare

• Monterosso’s bougainvillea-laced old town is pretty magical. Wander aimlessly here and snap photos of all the quiet corners!
• This is the best town to try a few local Liguanian wines; stop by Enoteca Da Eliseo or La Cantina Del Pescatore Bar Enoteca.
• Of all the five villages, Monterosso has the longest, best beach for swimming and lounging; though much of it is covered in beach clubs with rental day beds and umbrellas, you can also find free spots.

How to Take the Perfect Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre

Well, there you have it, friends: that’s my ultimate guide to a Florence > Cinque Terre day trip. Time in your Florence itinerary is precious, but this adventure is well worth it!

As mentioned, I highly recommend booking this Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence (with Optional Hiking) for a fun, unforgettable (and exhausting!) day in one of Italy’s most idyllic destinations.

But if you’re feeling adventurous, you have all the information you need to DIY the perfect day trip!

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