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 €15 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
Amazing tour with the best guide ever
by: Ana Chavez on Tripadvisor
My husband and I love this tour. Kudos to our great and amazing guide Ado, the best ever!!! He made sure we were all taking care of. He shared with us great historical information along the way and once we arrived at each of the towns. Cinque Terre (Five Lands) is a beautiful area along the Mediterranean sea. The 5 towns were all spectacular.
Great experience!!
by: Brenda on Tripadvisor
Both Ginebra and David were awesome guides! We had such a great time during this tour even though it was rainy and busy at the train stations. Tour guides were very organized and had scheduled “comfort brakes” in order for us to use the facilities. We were on Giny’s group and she was amazing!! Very nice and knowledgeable. Doing the 5 villages in one day is a challenging task but she helped us to enjoy this amazing trip and provided great recommendations of places to visit/try. We didn't do the hike since it was muddy and seemed to be kind of physically challenging, but people who did it really liked it. We would definitely book a tour again with Walkabout Florence!
Cinque Terre
by: Mike D on Tripadvisor
Cinque Terre is a breathtaking area in northern Italy. The tour is very regimented. The views in all 5 towns are incredible.
If you have any mobility issues this may not be the tour for you. And that’s without the hike from Corniglia to Vernazza.
Wonderful day at Cinque Terra
by: Susanne P on Tripadvisor
The hike between the 2 villages. The scenery was beautiful. Our guides Davido and Dave were excellent! Make sure to wear appropriate shoes for the terrain!! A great way to learn about the area so to go back and explore more on our own at another time.
Amazing day!
by: Natalie S on Tripadvisor
What an amazing day! Our guides, Alicia and Genevra, were incredibly knowledgeable and showed us all the beautiful locations to take our best photos! They made getting around easy and stress free. Highly recommend this day trip!
Best tour guides!
by: Corinneg20222 on Tripadvisor
Alice and Alessandro were excellent tour guides! They are both very knowledgeable and experienced tour guides. There were unfortunately issues with the trains because of construction on the train lines, which were out of their control. They also had to deal with difficult passengers, which, by itself, is always a significant stressor on a tour guide. They handled these stressful situations very well and, despite missing several train connections because the trains were overcrowded, Alice and Alessandro were still able to improvise and give us a hiking tour of the villages and a boat ride. The issues could be minimized, however, if the company had a better contingency plan when there are inevitable issues with the trains, such as using an alternative means of transportation if the trains go down. For example, using the bus instead of the train, if that is possible (it might not be possible because there could be required permits or restrictive ordinances). However, if a better contingency was available, it could have saved a lot of standing around and waiting for trains. Overall, even with the train issues, I would still recommend this tour because it would be difficult to navigate cinque terre without professional tour guides.
Amazing day visiting Cinqe Terre!
by: Lauren on Tripadvisor
This day trip was fantastic!! We loved Stefano and Tony. They did an amazing job at keeping the large group organized and we were able to sit back, relax and let them take the wheel. We loved the hike as well. Wasn’t too difficult and definitely worth it!
Fantastic tour of Cinque Terre
by: Jroxstrom on Tripadvisor
What a fantastic way to see Cinque Terre! Marco and Chiara were excellent guides and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend using Walkabout and will use them again.
An Experience of a Lifetime!
by: Relax278975 on Tripadvisor
The guides Marco and Chiara were excellent. They were prompt, organized, knowledgeable, approachable, gave very clear instructions and spoke excellent English. They were very patient and very kind. They also never asked for a tip and appeared to truly love their job. You are fortunate to have them as your employees.
Amazing trip !!
by: Mélissa B on Tripadvisor
What an amazing trip ! We had such a great time there. The trip is so well organized and planned. We had Victoria with us the whole time and she was so kind and wonderful. I really recommand this trip it was really amazing and worth it !!
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.
