Full-Day Small-Group Cinque Terre Tour from Florence

About this experience

Discover one of Italy's most enchanting landscapes with our tour to Cinque Terre: five villages, hanging between the sky and the sea, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Located among a dramatic coastal scenery, the Cinque Terre are an enchanting postcard of pastel colored houses, narrow cobble alleyways, tiny harbors and terraces covered with vineyards, olive and lemon trees. Early in the morning, depart from Florence by bus to reach Manarola, our first stop. Then move to Vernazza, Monterosso and Riomaggiore by local trains and boat. Get ready to experience an unforgettable day discovering an authentic earthly paradise. Tour size is limited to a maximum of 25 people for a more in depth and intimate touring experience.

Itinerary

English information from the provider

1. Stop 1

   Duration: 120 min

   Meet your fellow travelers and your tour leader at Piazzale Montelungo and find a comfortable spot on your bus. The journey by bus to Cinque Terre National Park takes approximately 2 hours

2. Stop 2

   Duration: 60 min

   Located atop a steep rock 70 metres above sea level, Manarola is a lovely and romantic town painted in merry colors. The town itself is lively, with a small but bustling piazza and an active fishing trade. It's not uncommon to see boats pulled up into the narrow streets or even in the piazza every time the sea is rough. There is no sand beach in Manarola, but there are some of the best deep-water natural pools around. Please consider a 20 minutes train ride from Manarola to Vernazza.

3. Stop 3

   Duration: 120 min

   The small fishing village of Vernazza makes you fall in love at the first sight! With its colorful houses perched on each other, the narrow and characteristic alleys, the picturesque port and its small beach.. this town is irresistable. Vernazza has a historical soul which is told through its architecture: it appears as a fortified village ready to defend the coast from the Saracen pirate raids. The symbol of the village is the Belforte tower of the Doria Castle: from here and from the terrace you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the town and the coast. Please consider a 20 minutes panoramic boat ride from Vernazza to Monterosso.

4. Stop 4

   Duration: 180 min

   Monterosso is the largest of the five coastal villages. Its amazing beaches, beautiful reefs, and the sea’s crystal clear waters make this village one of the most hospitable of the Ligurian Riviera. The beach runs along most of the coast line and it is the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre National Park. It is frequented by tourists and locals - which is why it can be very crowded during the summer season. Monterosso is divided into two parts: the old and the new town, connected each other by a tunnel in the hillside. The new part, Fegina, has been enriched by tourism, and it is the area where most of the hotels and restaurants are located. On the other hand, the old town is dominated by a splendid monastery and is characterized by typical, narrow medieval streets with pastel-coloured houses. Please consider a 20 minutes train ride from Monterosso to Riomaggiore.

5. Stop 5

   Duration: 120 min

   The southern-most town of the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore has a dramatic setting on the rocks. The town climbs along the ridges overlooking the sea and it is characterized from the typical stone houses with coloured façades and slate-roofs. It is embedded between two hills, partially covered in scrubby brush and partly terraced with gardens, olive groves and vineyards. There is a fishing marina and a small beach frequented by paddleboarders. Please consider a 20 minutes train ride from Riomaggiore to La Spezia, where you will board again the bus back to Florence.

6. Stop 6

   Duration: 120 min

   At the end of the day reunite with your travel companions to return to Florence in the late afternoon. The journey by bus from Cinque Terre National Park to Florence takes approximately 2 hours

What's included

English information from the provider

• Professional expert English-speaking tour leader throught the day
• Roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned minibus or minivan with free wi-fi
• Street Food Lunch (if option selected)
• Train tickets to move through the villages
• Boat Ride along the gorgeous coastline (if weather, docking and sea conditions permit)

Additional information

English information from the provider

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Giving the particular nature of the area, the standard itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, traffic, strikes, etc.
• The public boat service, along the Cinque Terre, runs from April to the 3rd week of October, subject to weather conditions
• When boats are not operative, connection between villages will be by train
• Due to the high volume of visitors and the nature of the area, during the high season the villages and the local train/boat, could be very crowded
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Cancellation policy

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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.