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How to Take a Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre: Best Towns to Visit and Practical Tips to Help You Plan Your Perfect Day - LEARNING ESCAPES

How to Take a Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre: exact itinerary and travel tips based on real experience from our travels. Taking a day trip to Cinque Terre from a base in Florence is a popular choice for travelers on a tight schedule. For many, it’s the only way to squeeze in a glimpse of the iconic, cliff-hugging colorful villages that have become Instagram favorites and indeed, the charm of this area is such, it is hard to resist! I absolutely love Cinque Terre (If you know this site, I have many guides about the area, I am Italian and we go often. The area is one of a kind, has something quintessential Italian about it and, if you have been heavy on city sightseeing on your itinerary, it is also a wonderful place to take a break from urban landscape and immerse yourself in coastal vibe. That said, here’s something I think is important to keep in mind: tour operators and fast-travel trends have made a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre seem like a standard experience. But in reality, a Florence day trip to Cinque Terre is a long and tiring day: the distance is significant, the connections aren’t direct, and with five towns to explore, a day trip will feel like a whirlwind. This is definitely a “if you must” kind of excursion, not one I’d recommend as such. Still, I know we all work within time constraints, and often we don’t have control over how long we can be away. And so, in this guide, I want to tell you how exactly you can make it happen! Once you know it will be a long day, it is definitely possible to take a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence and enjoy it. Just make sure you gauge energy well and maybe keep the day before and after on at a lower profile not to get exhausted. Please note: this posy contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we might make a small commission. Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip TL;DR This post helps with planning the perfect Florence to Cinque Terre day trip keeping all this in mind! Day Trip to Cinque Terre from Florence: Exact Itinerary I believe the best way to take a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre is independently—by train and ferry. This gives you flexibility, the chance to enjoy spontaneous moments, and time to relax, all while seeing the best highlights. The schedule below aligns with current ferry and train timetables at the time of writing. The links to the complete schedules: You usually can book train and ferry tickets on the day of travel, as they tend not to run out – but of course, always check the days before in case a sudden increase in demand gets them to go fast. Early Morning (Between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM) Take the early train from Florence to La Spezia. At present, there are several trains starting well before 7 and the fastest and direct one goes at 7.54 (this can of course change, it’s just the schedule at present) Get off at La Spezia Centrale and look at the departure board to get the train to Manarola: usually it goes from the platform just in front but always check local sign. Anyway, it is a very straightforward change. Mid-Morning: Manarola You’ll arrive in Manarola between 10:30 and 11:30 AM, depending on which train you take. The station drops you right at the top of town, and from there, you can wander downhill through the narrow streets toward the harbor. Be sure to follow the short path uphill to the right (signed for Nessun Dorma) to reach a scenic overlook and playground with one of the most iconic views in Cinque Terre. Manarola is small but delightful, with plenty of cafes where you can grab a coffee or snack. Read here >>> My travel guide to Manarola Good to know: Manarola is where you have the famous Nessun Dorma pesto class and restaurant. If you want to participate to the class, booking ahead is mandatory and the class is wonderful but very very popular! Should you be out of luck, this one is also fun. Ps love pesto? Find the real delicious pesto recipe here! 12:30 PM: Ferry to Vernazza (Currently 12:45 PM Departure) After 1 to 1.5 hours in Manarola, take the ferry to Vernazza, the second town I recommend visiting. I recommend to take the ferry, as opposed to the train, for a few reasons. First, it offers amazing views of the coastline and lets you truly appreciate the towns’ dramatic geography. Second, approaching Vernazza by sea gives you that postcard-perfect glimpse of its charming harbor. Vernazza is tiny but stunning. You can easily enjoy its colorful streets without a plan and soak in its pretty corners and homes. I do however recommend you do one thing specifically here: take time to walk to the trailheads at the top of town for sweeping views! The trails are well indicated from the Main Street of Vernazza and you reach their starting point going up stairs and a rather steep but short road. Your effort will quickly be rewarded, the view from both trails are magnificent! If you only go to the start of the trail, you do not need to pay for the permit as you stop before the paid area. By this point, you’ll likely be ready for lunch. You can go casual with focaccia and fried seafood from street vendors, or sit down at a local restaurant. Some options to consider: Just keep ferry times in mind when planning your meal—casual spots don’t require or take reservations. Explore more here >>> My guide to Vernazza 2:30 PM: Ferry to Monterosso (Currently 2:40 PM Departure) Post-lunch, hop on the ferry (or train) to Monterosso. Monterosso is flatter and initially may seem less dramatic than the others—but don’t be fooled. The old town is charming, and the beach is among the most scenic in the area. It is also one of the most local in terms of feel and less overrun than others as people mistakenly believe it is less pretty. It is absolutely wonderful! Walk up to the viewpoint above the beach (just left and up from the port), then meander through the old town’s shaded alleys and seafront promenade. Explore more here >>> My guide to Monterosso 4:30 PM: Ferry to Riomaggiore Around 4:30 PM, catch the last ferry of the day to Riomaggiore. This ride gives you another chance to see all five towns from the sea and capture some final water-level shots asou’ll arrive directly at Riomaggiore’s port—the most photogenic corner of the village! Riomaggiore town center is very small and the most scenic part of the town in the harbour, so I find it is a good last stop as you only need a few minutes to take the last few photos, maybe a drink with a view beside the dock and you’re ready to go. From the port, I recommend you walk along the Main Street to the station to get the train back to La Spezia and then Florence, tired but hopefully happy about your day! Return trains typically leave La Spezia between 5:50 and 6:30 PM, getting you back to Florence between 8:30 and 9:00 PM. Day trip Florence to Cinque Terre by Organised Tour If you prefer an organised tour, there are several reliable providers offering Florence to Cinque Terre day trip options. I trust: LivTours: a fantastic, upscale, excellent operator that will allow you to visit this area with zero worries about trains, changes, schedule etc. You can take the trip directly from Florence or from La Spezia >> find details here. This is a comprehensive tour that allows a great experience of several aspects of this area At a lower price point, this one is also a very good tour which covers all the towns and can be fun if you are traveling alone or with a friend and prefer a group setting. I hope you enjoyed this practical guide to planning a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre and helped you enjoy your Cinque Terre day at most. Safe travels!