Cinque Terre & Pisa: Small-Group Day Trip with Boat & Train

Summary

From Florence to Cinque Terre villages by boat train and Pisa tower

You’ll feel salt on your skin as you hike between Cinque Terre villages or cruise past pastel harbors by boat. Taste real pesto in Vernazza, then stand beneath Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower as evening falls. This small-group day trip from Florence includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by minivan plus local trains and boats—leaving you free to soak up every color and sound along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I was nervous about squeezing so much into one day. But when our driver picked us up in Florence (black Mercedes, which felt a bit fancy for me), that faded fast. The road out of the city was quiet, and I caught myself just watching the olive groves slide by. Our guide, Marco, kept tossing out little stories about Ligurian dialects and why the houses are painted like gelato — apparently so fishermen could spot home even in fog. I didn’t expect to care about paint colors but now I notice them everywhere.

We reached Riomaggiore just as the sea breeze started to pick up. There’s this salty tang in the air and you can hear gulls before you see them. Some folks took the train, but a few of us tried the hike to Manarola (I still have dust on my shoes). It’s steep, yeah, but every time I stopped to catch my breath there was another view down to those pastel rooftops stacked above the water. At one point Marco pointed out wild fennel growing by the path — he snapped off a piece for me to smell and it really does smell like licorice. That stuck with me.

Manarola felt older somehow, maybe it’s all those stone walls patched over centuries. We wandered into a bakery where an old woman handed us tiny lemon pastries without saying much — just a nod and a smile. Then we took the boat towards Vernazza, spray hitting my face (don’t sit on the edge unless you want wet jeans). Lunch was pesto pasta at some place right by the harbor; honestly, I’d go back just for that bite alone. Afterward, a couple of us waded into the sea while others just watched fishing boats bob around. It was loud with kids shouting in Italian and seagulls arguing over crumbs.

Pisa was last — we got there late afternoon when shadows made everything look softer. The Leaning Tower is smaller than I pictured but somehow stranger up close; people were lying on their backs trying to get that perfect photo angle (I tried too, failed spectacularly). Marco gave us space to wander Piazza dei Miracoli and pointed out where Galileo supposedly dropped things from the tower — not sure if that’s true but it made me laugh. On the drive back to Florence everyone was pretty quiet, tired in that good way after sun and sea air. I keep thinking about that fennel smell and those painted houses whenever I see photos now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Cinque Terre and Pisa Tower

• Travel from Florence to Riomaggiore
• Explore Riomaggiore village
• Take public boat to Manarola
• Optional hike from Riomaggiore to Manarola
• Meet driver in Manarola
• Visit Manarola village
• Train from Manarola to Vernazza
• Explore Vernazza village and swim
• Train from Vernazza to Riomaggiore
• Drive to Pisa
• Visit Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli
• Return to Florence by minivan

Top questions

How many villages do you visit on this Cinque Terre day trip?

You’ll visit three villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza.

Is hiking between Cinque Terre towns included?

The hike from Riomaggiore to Manarola is optional; check weather conditions before deciding.

Are train or boat tickets included?

Yes, both train and boat tickets are included in your tour price.

Does this tour include lunch?

No, lunch is not included but there’s time for you to eat local dishes in Vernazza.

Can I swim during this Cinque Terre tour?

Yes, there’s free time in Vernazza where you can swim if you bring your swimsuit and towel.

What kind of vehicle is used for transport?

A black Mercedes minivan is used for group travel between cities.

How long do we spend at Pisa's Leaning Tower?

You get about an hour at Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower and other monuments.

Is hotel pickup available from Florence?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included or you can meet at designated points in Florence.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Florence (or meeting point), all train tickets between villages, public boat rides along Cinque Terre (weather permitting), bottled water throughout the journey, plus unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot use per couple so you can share photos instantly as you go.