Cinque Terre & Pisa Day Trip from Florence with Train & Free Time

Summary

Pastel villages, salty breezes and Pisa’s famous tilt from Florence

You’ll taste sea air in Cinque Terre’s winding streets, feel sand under your feet in Monterosso, and catch yourself smiling at Pisa’s famous tower tilt. With local trains and an expert guide handling logistics from Florence, you’ll have space to wander or just sit quietly by the water — sometimes those are the best moments.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me in Manarola was the smell — a mix of sea salt and something herbal, maybe basil? Our guide, Marco, waved us down the narrow street, but honestly I just stood there for a second watching laundry flap between pink houses. It felt like the kind of place where you should get lost at least once. We had free time here, so I wandered up a little alley (my shoes got dusty) and found an old man selling lemon granita. He grinned when I tried to pay with too-big coins — “Piccolo!” he said, pointing at the smaller ones. Should’ve studied my euros better.

The train to Monterosso was quick but packed — lots of chatter in Italian and German around us. Monterosso itself is bigger than Manarola, with more space to breathe. The beach was full of families; some kids were building sandcastles that looked better than anything I could manage now. I sat on a low wall eating focaccia with anchovies (salty as heck but good), watching old women argue over who made the best pesto. The water sparkled in this way that makes you want to jump in even if you didn’t bring a towel. I almost did.

Pisa surprised me. Everyone talks about the Leaning Tower but seeing it tilt in real life is weirdly satisfying — like it shouldn’t still be standing after all these centuries. Our guide gave us tips on how to avoid the crowds for photos (still ended up with someone’s elbow in mine). The square felt calm despite all the tourists; there’s this hush around the Baptistery that made me slow down for once. By then my feet were tired and my phone battery nearly dead, but it was worth it just to stand there and look up at something so odd and old. On the bus back to Florence I kept thinking about those pastel houses by the sea — they stick with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cinque Terre and Pisa

• Depart Florence by luxury coach
• Arrive La Spezia and board train
• Explore Manarola village freely
• Train to Monterosso al Mare
• Relax on Monterosso beach and explore
• Travel to Pisa city
• Visit Piazza dei Miracoli
• See Leaning Tower and Cathedral
• Return to Florence by coach

Top questions

How long does the Cinque Terre & Pisa day trip take?

The tour lasts a full day, departing from Florence in the morning and returning in the early evening.

Is transportation included between villages?

Yes, travel between Cinque Terre villages is by local train or boat as arranged by your guide; coach transport is provided from Florence to La Spezia/Pisa.

Do I get free time during this tour?

Yes, you’ll have free time to explore both Manarola and Monterosso in Cinque Terre as well as Pisa.

Are entry fees included for Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre National Park admission is included if you select that option when booking.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No set lunch is included; you can try local food during your free time in Monterosso or Manarola.

Can infants join this day trip?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap; prams or strollers are allowed on public transport segments.

Does this tour include climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

No ticket for climbing is included; however, your guide can provide info if you wish to purchase entry during your free time.

What languages does the tour leader speak?

The expert tour leader is multilingual; check availability for specific languages when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable coach transport from Florence with free WiFi onboard, admission fee to Cinque Terre National Park (if selected), local train tickets between villages (if selected), plenty of free time in Manarola, Monterosso, and Pisa, plus guidance from an expert multilingual tour leader before returning to Florence by evening.