Florence and Lucca Shore Excursion: 9-hour Private Tour

Two Tuscan cities in one port day, with a driver who knows them both

A 9-hour private shore excursion from Livorno port takes you by air-conditioned van to Lucca and Florence, where you set the pace at each stop. Your English-speaking driver provides commentary during the drive and handles all transport between cities. You spend roughly 2.5 hours in Lucca and 5 hours in Florence, free to wander the streets, visit attractions or simply sit in a piazza. Port pickup and drop-off are included, and the van returns you in time for your ship's departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Piazzale Michelangelo20m
2. Florence Santa Croce Basilica45m
3. Pitti Palace20m
4. Piazza della Repubblica20m
5. Ponte Vecchio20m
6. Via Fillungo45m
7. Church of San Michele in Foro20m
8. Guinigi Tower20m
9. Lucca Cathedral20m

Visit Lucca and Florence from Livorno

• Depart from Livorno port
• Stop at Lucca main square
• Walk Via Fillungo street
• Visit Church of San Michele in Foro
• See Guinigi Tower
• Visit Lucca Cathedral
• Drive to Florence
• Admire view from Piazzale Michelangelo
• Visit Florence Santa Croce Basilica
• See Palazzo Pitti
• Walk Piazza della Repubblica
• Walk along Ponte Vecchio
• Return to Livorno port

The experience

Nine hours is enough to see both cities without rushing, but only if you know where to go. The driver picks you up at Livorno port and handles the drive to Lucca, where you have time to walk the medieval streets, climb the Guinigi Tower (built in 1200 with four trees growing on its roof), and step inside the Lucca Cathedral and the Church of San Michele in Foro. Via Fillungo, the main shopping street, runs through the heart of the old town. You decide how long to linger at each stop.

After Lucca, the van takes you to Florence for the longer portion of the day. Piazzale Michelangelo sits at the top of a hill overlooking the entire city: a natural first stop for photographs. From there, you can walk down to the Ponte Vecchio, cross into the city center, and explore Piazza della Repubblica, the Palazzo Pitti, or the Florence Santa Croce Basilica, where Michelangelo, Machiavelli and other Renaissance figures are buried. The driver stays with the van and provides commentary during the drives between cities, but does not enter museums or churches. You move through the sites on your own schedule.

The van is air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi on most vehicles. Port pickup and drop-off are included in the price, and the return timing is set to get you back to the ship before departure. Infant seats are available on request at the time of booking.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned van transportation from Livorno port to Lucca and Florence.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking driver with commentary during the drives.
• Wi-Fi on board on most vehicles.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Tuscany Taste Tour di Maurizio Mancini

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private van with your own driver to split time between both cities. You set the pace in each rather than following a group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

How much time do I actually get to spend walking around in each city?

Lucca gives you approximately 2.5 hours on the ground. Florence gives you approximately 5 hours. The driver handles the transport between Livorno, Lucca and Florence, so those times are yours to spend as you choose at each stop.

What is the Guinigi Tower and why is it worth seeing?

The Guinigi Tower was built in 1200 and is the only tower in Lucca with four century-old trees growing on top of it. It stands in the medieval heart of the city and offers a distinctive landmark you can spot from the streets below.

Will the driver take me inside the churches and museums?

No. Your driver is an English-speaking professional who provides commentary during the van rides and can answer questions about the sites, but does not enter museums, churches or monuments. You explore those on your own, at whatever pace suits you.

What happens if I want to spend more time in one city and less in the other?

You control how long you stay at each stop within the 2.5-hour Lucca window and the 5-hour Florence window. The driver will be waiting with the van when you return, and the overall 9-hour schedule is timed to get you back to the ship on time.

Is lunch included, and where can I eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Both Lucca and Florence have restaurants, cafes and street food throughout the old towns. You choose where and what to eat during your free time at each stop.