Cinque Terre from Florence: Train, Boat & Village Food Tasting

Summary

Five villages by train & sea from Florence with food stops

You’ll hop trains between colorful Cinque Terre villages with a local guide from Florence, taste Ligurian street food like pesto lasagna or fresh focaccia, and sail past pastel harbors on a coastal boat ride. There’s free time for wandering or swimming if you want it — and moments that’ll stick long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re going to try the focaccia?” our guide Marco grinned at me in Levanto, and honestly I was still half-asleep from the 7am start in Florence. The bus ride north was quiet — just the hum of people trying not to spill their coffee. But then we hit Liguria and suddenly the light changed; pine and olive trees everywhere, sea air coming through the window when someone cracked it open. I didn’t expect Levanto to feel so lived-in — old men chatting by the station, a woman hanging laundry that actually smelled like lemons (or maybe that was my imagination). We split into little groups there: some folks went off solo, but I stuck with Marco because my sense of direction is... not great.

The train between villages rattled along cliffs so close to the water you could see tiny boats bobbing below. Monterosso was first — noisy gulls overhead, kids running down to the beach with plastic shovels. Marco pointed out a bakery where he gets his pesto lasagna (“not too heavy before swimming,” he promised). I tried it anyway and yeah, it’s rich but somehow perfect after walking those steep alleys. Vernazza felt like a painting but also real — laundry everywhere again, old women leaning out windows calling down to someone below. We had time to wander; I ended up buying olives from a guy who insisted I try one before paying. Salty and sharp, almost too much but good.

Manarola was quieter — maybe everyone else was swimming? The sun bounced off pastel walls and there were cats sleeping on warm stones near the harbor. Marco told us about how these towns used to be isolated except by sea; you can kind of feel that stubbornness still. The boat ride back along the Cinque Terre coast is what sticks with me most: spray on my face, wind tangling my hair, seeing all five villages stacked up like toy blocks against impossible green hills. Someone started singing quietly behind us (I think in Italian?) and for a second everything felt very far from Florence or anywhere else.

We finished in Riomaggiore where I tried saying “grazie” to an old shopkeeper and he just smiled like he’d heard every accent in the world already. By evening we were back at Santa Maria Novella station — tired feet, salt on my skin, phone full of blurry photos. Still thinking about that view from the boat though… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cinque Terre villages from Florence

• Depart from Florence city centre
• Pass by Levanto town
• Visit Monterosso al Mare village
• Visit Vernazza village and Corniglia
• Relax and explore Manarola village
• Visit Riomaggiore village
• Return to Florence city centre

Top questions

How long does the Cinque Terre day trip from Florence take?

The tour leaves early morning from Florence and returns in the evening; expect a full-day trip.

Is lunch included on this Cinque Terre tour?

Street food tasting is included if you select that option; otherwise meals are not provided.

Are train and boat tickets included?

Yes, both train and ferry boat tickets are included unless you choose the Transfer Only option.

Can I explore Cinque Terre villages on my own?

Yes, if you book Transfer Only you can visit villages independently without guide or tickets included.

Where does the tour depart from in Florence?

The meeting point is at Sightseeing Experience Visitor Center inside Santa Maria Novella Train Station.

Is there free time during this Cinque Terre day trip?

Yes, there’s free time in each village for exploring or relaxing at your own pace.

Are there any physical requirements for this tour?

You should have at least moderate fitness as there’s walking and some steep paths involved.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; public transport options are available nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip bus transfer from Florence with Wi-Fi onboard, all train rides between Cinque Terre villages plus ferry boat tickets (seasonal), guidance from a multilingual local escort throughout the journey, street food tasting if selected (think pesto pasta or focaccia), as well as plenty of free time to wander or swim before heading back in the evening.