Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking

based on 6981 reviews

Duration:13 hours (approx.)
Location: Florence, Tuscany

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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.

- The only round trip, one day tour from Florence to all five Cinque Terre villages

- Explore the Italian Riviera and enjoy spectacular coastal views

- Free time in the villages for wine tasting, souvenir shopping or for a swim in the turquoise waters at one of the area’s beaches

- A scenic boat ride along the Cinque Terre coastline (end March to end October only - weather permitting)

- Tour is only in English (not different languages contemporarly) to ensure maximum quality and customer service

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Check-in and departure point
2. Borgo Storico di Manarola
Built in the valley of the torrente Groppo, until 1950 the stream which runs through the town was completely uncovered and 11 stone bridges allowed the people to cross from one side to the other. Over the next thirty years the stream was gradually covered over. The ancient village was destroyed by Saracen pirates (in 849) and the surviving people fled in land to live. When the seas were made safe again in the 11th century, people came back to settle here under the protection of the Republic of Genova. By the 1200's cultivation of vines was not only established but the wine they produced was sought after. The church of San Lorenzo was begun in 1338. The patron saint is celebrated on the 10th of August with a procession through the streets carrying a statue of him. The castle which protected the town from pirates is now a private home, you can see the garden from the panoramic walk, it is on the rock immediately above the port. Manarola is now famous for its Christmas nativity scene which is the biggest in the world. Figures outlined in thousands of lights cover the hillside. Also an Easter scene is made.
3. Borgo Storico di Corniglia
The middle town of the five, Corniglia is the smallest town and sits at 90 metres above sea level. The name derives from the huge spur of rock on which the village sits. Population of about only 200. San Pietro church from the fourteenth century on the site of an eleventh century chapel. San Pietro's day is 29th June and as part of the celebrations, there is a procession through the streets. A special savoury tart is prepared with rice, eggs and cheese and is shared among the people who take part in the procession.
4. Cinque Terre Trails
These ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled, do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Because of the nature of the hike, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties.
5. Vernazza
Vernazza is unique in the Cinque Terre because of the small port that was built allowing ships to land in the protected bay. It was already a fortified village and efficient maritime base in the earliest records available from the eleventh century. Today there are traces of the military defences built by the Genovese in the thirteenth century such as traces of the old walls, ramparts and the look out tower.
6. Borgo Antico
There was a castle here before 1200 and some ruins of it can still be seen. The community of Monterosso was founded in 1214. The church of San Giovanni Battista, built-in 1220 has a bell tower built in 1400 as a lookout tower. The church of San Antonio di Mesco was built in 1335.
7. Spiaggia di Fegina
The new town is called Fegina and is linked to the old part of Monterosso by a pedestrian tunnel. Statue of Neptune built into the rock, but made of concrete so badly deteriorated, was built by an architect in the 1920's. The sandy shelf provides the ideal habitat for seagrass which acts as a lung for the waters of the Cinque Terre and provides a beautiful beach for us. The whole area is a marine protected area, like the sea version of a national park. 2007 Forbes magazine called Monterosso the sexiest beach in the world....whatever that may mean.
8.
Boat Ride (weather permitting)
9. Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore
At Riomaggiore, centuries ago, the distinctive tall, colourful houses known as Genovese tower houses arranged in rows connected by alleys, arches and steps provided a defense against pirates. House colours are regulated by the comune. You can't just paint them any colour you like! Houses have two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on the higher road, so that when they were attacked by pirates, the people could escape. At the end of the eighteen hundreds the railway came along the coast and Riomaggiore, along with the other towns of the cinque terrre came out of their historic isolation, even though a road wouldn't reach them until the 1970's. Language, lingua ligure, the villages were so cut off even from each other that they spoke different dialects of the same language.
10. Stazione La Spezia Centrale
Coach transfer back to Florence

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• 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
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• Suitable walking shoes are mandatory for those doing the hiking – no flip-flops. Suggestions: walking boots or sneakers, closed toe shoes with non-slip soles.
• If you want to swim during free time, please remember to bring your own towel and swimwear.
• On rare occasions the boat ride will stop operating due to bad weather or strong winds. It is beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued.
• In case of unexpected closure of the paths for unforeseen events, alternative routes will be taken instead for those doing the hiking
• A large amount of walking is involved for those doing the hiking. You must be of average fitness and be able to keep up with the rest of the group.
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking difficulties, below average fitness, or young children.
• Minimum age is 8 years.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Dimitri_S
Manu and Ado were a perfect tour guides and provided us with a lot of information not only about Cinque Terre but also about the places we were passing by. The hiking was a bit difficult but it was worth it.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 16:44:20

Posted By : Nick_C
Valentina our guide with "walk about" tours has great knowledge of the area and nothing was to much trouble. She made it a great experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 13:40:42

Posted By : Christina_H
The hike was absolutely stunning! It was a whirlwind of a day, I can’t imagine doing it with out a guide. Gini and Noami were amazing!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 09:04:02

Posted By : A5532ERabigaill
Cannot recommend this day trip enough! I was super impressed with the attentiveness of Jeanie and Noamy. They remembered my special meal request and didn’t leave anybody behind even in all the craziness of the park. They made it an incredibly smooth and exhausting (in a good way) day.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 05:05:09

Posted By : englishtea60
This is THE best tour company in Florence. We had Ado and Manu our guides. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was like traveling with Family. Every single need was accommodated with patience and humor. The two did not lose patience and expertly guided their respective groups through hikes, multiple train changes and a fantastic boat ride. It was a 12 hour trip. The company and the guides Ado and Manu were superb.

They were so good, we chose them again for our all day Tuscany tour which turned out to be another excellent choice. Review to follow.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-15 16:47:07

Posted By : Donna_S
The whole day was the best. Our tour guides Chris and Valentino were so good. the whole day was so well organized and we always knew what was next. Chris and Valentino were very easy to understand and the knowledge and history they provided was awesome. Great experience great day. Having lunch pre ordered ahead of time was a nice touch. So enjoyable. Being able to choose at your own level was also great.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-15 15:22:13

Posted By : 761catherineb
Loved this tour!!! Be prepared to walk there were two guides, Claudia and Emma. We were with Claudia and cannot say enough good things about her! Knowledgable and fun. I did not do the hike but my sister did and said it was intense. The villages are adorable. Highly recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-15 07:50:04

Posted By : Cristopher_D
Hitting 5 towns and a hike seems a bit more than what we wanted out of our trip to Cinque Terre. Accounting for the group herding, we only really had about 30-40 min per town. We skipped the hike and was able to enjoy one town to it's non-touristy glory. Would recommend other tours if you want more indepth experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-15 00:27:06

Posted By : Mark_S
We had been looking forward to this trip for so long. Being in our 50s, we didn't know how the hiking was going to be ... but we loved it! The hike from Manarola to Corniglia (uphill) was a bit strenuous, and then the hike from Corniglia to Vernazza (lots of stony steep stairs) was super tough .. but we made it, enjoyed amazing views along the way, and our guide Ado was always ready to take a few pics of us as we got to each new scenic overlook. The lunch in Corniglia was fantastic as well (pesto pasta is a must) and the boat ride from Monterosso to Riomaggiore was the perfect ending to the day. It was tiring but worth every minute. The hikes are optional and about half the group opted out, but I am so glad we stuck with it. Highly recommend!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-14 17:04:17

Posted By : Paul_G
Chris and Vanentina were excellent guides! Very personable, interesting, and they kept us on schedule so that we could enjoy the amazing hike and maximize our time in the picturesque villages. They provided some fascinating historical context and explanation, and made sure that we all stayed together.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-14 16:59:32