Cinque Terre and Pisa Day Tour: Small Group Ferry Included

Three coastal villages in one day, reached by ferry instead of a hiking trail

A guided day tour from Florence to Cinque Terre and Pisa with a small group of up to 8 people, departing early morning and returning by evening. The route connects three villages—Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore—by ferry and train, then drives to Pisa's UNESCO site. Hotel pickup in Florence, air-conditioned van transport, train and ferry tickets, water, and a live guide in English or Italian are included; lunch is not, and climbing the Leaning Tower costs extra. The itinerary is planned to minimize steep walking, though some steps and uneven terrain are unavoidable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cinque Terre and Pisa day tour

• Depart from Florence by van
• Drive 2 hours to Manarola
• Walk narrow streets and take photos
• Have breakfast and explore Manarola
• Take ferry to Vernazza
• Explore Vernazza and visit Doria Castle
• Optional swim in Tyrrhenian Sea
• Taste Ligurian food and shop souvenirs
• Take train to Riomaggiore
• Explore Riomaggiore and visit castle
• Swim at pebble beach in Riomaggiore
• Take train back to Manarola
• Drive 1.5 hours to Pisa
• Visit Piazza dei Miracoli and monuments
• Drive back to Florence

The Experience

The van leaves Florence early and drives 2 hours to Manarola, the first of three Cinque Terre villages you'll visit. Manarola sits on the coast with narrow streets and colorful houses stacked on the cliff face—you have time to walk around, take photos, and grab breakfast before the crowds arrive. From there, the ferry connects you to Vernazzo, a medieval fishing village built around a small harbor with the Doria Castle visible on the rock above. The church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia sits on the main square, and if you bring a swim suit, the natural harbor is swimmable. After exploring Vernazzo's streets and tasting local Ligurian food (lunch is on your own), a 10-minute train ride takes you to Riomaggiore, the third village, where colorful facades line the cliff and a small pebble beach offers another chance to swim.

In the afternoon, the train carries you back toward the coast, then the van drives roughly 1.5 hours inland to Pisa. You arrive at Piazza dei Miracoli, the UNESCO World Heritage square where the Cathedral, Baptistry, Camposanto, and the famous Leaning Tower stand together. Entry to climb the tower costs extra (€20 per person, booked online), but you can walk around the piazza and photograph the monuments without paying. After this stop, the drive back to Florence takes the rest of the afternoon, and you arrive in the evening.

The ferry between villages runs from late March through early November; in rougher weather or outside those months, the local train replaces the boat. The tour leader may reorder which village you visit first depending on conditions on the ground, but you'll see all three. The day involves some steps—roughly 30 to 40 in places—and uneven coastal terrain, so comfortable shoes are essential. The group stays small (up to 8 people), and the itinerary is organized to keep walking manageable given the villages' natural layout on the cliffs.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Florence.
• air-conditioned van transport for the full day.
• train tickets between the Cinque Terre villages.
• ferry tickets connecting the three coastal towns.
• bottled water on board.
• WiFi on the van.
• a live guide in English or Italian.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Lilium Travel Florence

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Florence without a rental car—the van picks you up at your hotel, and the ferry and train tickets are already arranged, so you move between villages without figuring out the local transport or buying tickets at each stop. The small group (up to 8 people) and fixed schedule mean the day holds together without anyone building it.

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Top questions

Can I swim in Cinque Terre on this tour?

Yes. Vernazzo and Riomaggiore both have small beaches or harbor areas where you can swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea; bring a swim suit and a towel, as neither is provided.

What's included in the price from Florence?

Hotel pickup in Florence, the air-conditioned van, all train and ferry tickets between the villages, bottled water, and a live guide in English or Italian are included. Lunch, gratuities, and tickets to climb the Leaning Tower or enter Pisa's Cathedral are not.

How much walking is there in the villages?

The villages have narrow, uneven streets and some steps—typically 30 to 40 in stretches—but the tour is planned to minimize steep climbing. Comfortable shoes are necessary, and a moderate level of fitness is required.

What happens if the weather is bad and the ferry doesn't run?

The ferry operates from late March through early November; outside that window or in rough seas, the local train connects the villages instead. The tour still visits all three villages, just by a different route.

How old do children need to be?

Children are welcome from age 3. The tour includes a lot of walking and some steps, so younger children should be comfortable on their own feet for stretches of the day.

Is the Leaning Tower included?

Entry to Piazza dei Miracoli and the chance to photograph the Leaning Tower are included. Climbing the tower costs €20 per person and must be booked online in advance; entry to the Cathedral and Baptistry also cost extra.