Florence and Pisa Private Tour: Ponte Vecchio & Leaning Tower

Two cities, one day ashore: Florence's bridges and squares, then Pisa's Leaning Tower

A private minivan tour from La Spezia cruise port to Florence and Pisa, with your driver handling transport while you explore on foot. You'll walk Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria in Florence, see the cathedral at Piazza del Duomo, and stop at Piazzale Michelangelo for views across the city. In Pisa, you visit Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower and surrounding monuments. The day's route and return timing are coordinated with your ship's all-aboard schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of Florence and Pisa

• Meet driver at La Spezia port
• Travel to Florence
• Walk Piazza del Duomo
• Visit Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint
• Walk across Ponte Vecchio
• Explore Piazza della Signoria
• Visit Pisa Piazza dei Miracoli
• Return to La Spezia port

Stops and time spent at each 8 stops

1. La Spezia Cruise Port 30m
2. Piazza del Duomo Entry included 1h
3. Piazzale Michelangelo Entry included 20m
4. Ponte Vecchio Entry included 20m
5. Piazza della Signoria Entry included 45m
6. Leaning Tower of Pisa 30m
7. La Spezia Cruise Port 30m
8. Piazza dei Miracoli Entry included 1h

What’s included

• Transport by private air-conditioned minivan.
• pickup and return to La Spezia cruise port.
• driver coordination of timing around your ship's departure.
• independent walking access to Piazza del Duomo, Piazzale Michelangelo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria in Florence, and Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa.

Times

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• Every day 08:00 08:30 09:00

Information

Private minivan tour from La Spezia cruise port to Florence and Pisa with independent sightseeing at Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria.

Group Private 1 similar group tour ›

Live guide English, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 2 pickup points. See the pickup points

Book up to 1d before

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Public transport nearby

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.75 ★★★★★ Excellent 8 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

Your driver picks you up at La Spezia cruise port in a private air-conditioned minivan reserved for your group. Before the drive to Florence, you agree on the day's priorities and confirm when you need to be back. The return is timed around your ship's departure, so there's no guessing about how much time you have. The minivan handles the route between the port and both cities, leaving you free to focus on what you want to see rather than navigation or parking.

In Florence, you walk through Piazza del Duomo to see the cathedral exterior and Giotto's bell tower, then move through Piazza della Signoria, where replicas of famous sculptures and Palazzo Vecchio fill the square. Ponte Vecchio comes next. The bridge itself is the stop, not a museum or ticketed site. You also get a photo break at Piazzale Michelangelo, the hilltop viewpoint that overlooks the whole city. The itinerary is independent sightseeing, so you set the pace and decide how long to linger at each square.

Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli is where the day ends before the return to port. The Leaning Tower, the baptistery, and Santa Maria Assunta church all sit in the same square, so you see them together in one stop. If you've bought a ticket to climb the tower, you have time for that. If not, the square itself is worth the visit. Your driver coordinates the timing so you're back at the port well before the all-aboard call.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

How much time do I actually have to walk around Florence and Pisa?

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total, including the drive from La Spezia. Your driver works with you to split that time between the two cities based on what matters most to you: more time in Florence's squares, or more time at Pisa's Leaning Tower. The return is always timed to get you back to the port before your ship leaves.

What is Piazza della Signoria actually like to walk through?

Piazza della Signoria is Florence's main civic square, filled with sculptures and replicas of famous works, including a replica of Michelangelo's David. Palazzo Vecchio, the historic town hall, dominates one side. The square connects to Via dei Calzaioli, one of Florence's busiest pedestrian streets, so it's a natural hub for walking and exploring on foot.

Can I climb the Leaning Tower, or do I just look at it from the square?

Climbing the Leaning Tower requires a separate ticket that you purchase on your own. The tour includes time at Piazza dei Miracoli, where you can see the tower and the surrounding monuments. If you've bought a ticket in advance, you'll have time to climb. If not, the square itself is worth photographing and exploring.

Is lunch included, or do I need to arrange that myself?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour. Your driver can suggest places to eat in Florence or Pisa, and you have time built into the day for a meal. The itinerary mentions stopping for a cappuccino in Pisa, so there's flexibility to eat when and where you choose.

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

You coordinate the day's priorities with your driver before you leave the port. If you'd rather spend more time in Florence and less in Pisa, or vice versa, the driver adjusts the route and timing to fit. The only fixed constraint is the return time, which is set around your ship's all-aboard schedule.

Operated by Ciao italy tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago