Cinque  Terre is a beautiful stretch of rugged coast of the Italian Riviera comprised of five picturesque fishing villages. Each village projects its own wonderful character, and they are linked by a series of fragrant hiking trails which are easily traveled by both young and old alike. On this Florence day trip to Cinque Terre you will travel the trails and enjoy some time to explore at each village.

Departing from and returning to your accommodation this Florence day trip to Cinque Terre offers a convenient and comfortable way to explore one of the most incredible landscapes of Italy at your own pace. Traveling together for the day, you’ll have plenty of time to interact with your driver-guide, ask questions and learn about Cinque Terre; from its long seafaring history to the floods that recently wreaked havoc on these seaside towns. A luxury, air-conditioned vehicle will be your main mode of transport, but you can also experience the area by train, boat, and on foot. The choice is entirely yours.

Florence day trip to Cinque Terre Overview

Excursion starts with an approx. 2-hour car ride to the town of  Riomaggiore, where your Cinque Terre adventure will begin. Established in 13th century, the village has a dramatic coastline with colorful houses. It is a wonderful fabulous place to enjoy wonderful vistas and slowing down to the pace of Italian village life.

Once parked at the top of Riomaggiore, your driver-guide will help you decide which of the area's many attractions you would like to experience. You might simply wish to drive from village to village or take the ferry exploring at your leisure. While if you'd like to try some hiking, the driver-guide will describe the trails so you can choose the one(s) most suitable for you. Whatever your preference, your driver-guide will meet you in the late afternoon at the village of Monterosso, or at any other point along the route, for your trip back to Florence.

The road from Riomaggiore leads to Manarola next – the second village of the Cinque Terre. Situated on rugged coastline dotted with vineyards, Manarola provides wonderful views, a small, adventurous harbor and a fascinating church square. Stroll the harbor and take snapshots of the beautiful bright buildings that cling to the cliff.

Considered by many to be the most beautiful of the Cinque Terre towns, Vernazza is a small fishing village with the characteristic colored houses that make these villages so unique. There is also a lovely harbor shadowed by a towering castle and a pretty church. Once again, take your time to amble around the area to discover everything this unspoiled, quaint hamlet has in store for you.

Monterosso is the biggest of the four villages and therefore has the most to offer in the way of cafes, shops and restaurants. A leisurely stroll along the seaside promenade leads to the car park where the vehicle is waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Florence.

What to Do

A cultural landscape of great scenic and cultural value, the Cinque Terre is a fairytale coastal destination within the Italian Riviera that strikes adventure loving families with its natural beauty, centuries of history, and scenic trails. It is an amazing place to travel in because there is no need to go far to experience unspoiled nature. The great outdoors rule in the Cinque Terre.

As part of your full immersion into the totally unique nature of the Cinque Terre, you will explore narrow winding alleys, climb steep staircases made of hand-hewn stone, hike through the hopelessly picturesque Sciacchetrà vineyards, or simply sip a cappuccino at an outdoor café soaking up the stunning scenery and beautiful village’s life.

The Cinque Terre is one of the most desired destinations for visitors to north-central Italy offering  extraordinary views of castles, churches, oratories and medieval villas set against inspiring views of crystal seas, rocky cliffs, tucked away beaches and ancient stone walls. Not only is the scenery fabulous, but the area food and wines are first class. Read more on our expert post about visiting Cinque Terre.