Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking

If you love an outdoor adventure, our Cinque Terre tour is sure to add a little something special to your Italian holiday. Join us and explore some of the country’s most beautiful coastal towns and admire the stunning landscapes on a guided tour you’re sure to remember for life.

– The only round trip, one day tour from Florence to all five Cinque Terre villages

– Explore the Italian Riviera and enjoy spectacular coastal views

– Free time in the villages for wine tasting, souvenir shopping or for a swim in the turquoise waters at one of the area’s beaches

– A scenic boat ride along the Cinque Terre coastline (end March to end October only – weather permitting)

– Tour is only in English (not different languages contemporarly) to ensure maximum quality and customer service

Check-in and departure point

Built in the valley of the torrente Groppo, until 1950 the stream which runs through the town was completely uncovered and 11 stone bridges allowed the people to cross from one side to the other. Over the next thirty years the stream was gradually covered over.

The ancient village was destroyed by Saracen pirates (in 849) and the surviving people fled in land to live. When the seas were made safe again in the 11th century, people came back to settle here under the protection of the Republic of Genova.

By the 1200’s cultivation of vines was not only established but the wine they produced was sought after. The church of San Lorenzo was begun in 1338. The patron saint is celebrated on the 10th of August with a procession through the streets carrying a statue of him.

The castle which protected the town from pirates is now a private home, you can see the garden from the panoramic walk, it is on the rock immediately above the port.

Manarola is now famous for its Christmas nativity scene which is the biggest in the world. Figures outlined in thousands of lights cover the hillside. Also an Easter scene is made.

The middle town of the five, Corniglia is the smallest town and sits at 90 metres above sea level.

The name derives from the huge spur of rock on which the village sits. Population of about only 200.

San Pietro church from the fourteenth century on the site of an eleventh century chapel. San Pietro’s day is 29th June and as part of the celebrations, there is a procession through the streets. A special savoury tart is prepared with rice, eggs and cheese and is shared among the people who take part in the procession.

These ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled, do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Because of the nature of the hike, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties.

Vernazza is unique in the Cinque Terre because of the small port that was built allowing ships to land in the protected bay. It was already a fortified village and efficient maritime base in the earliest records available from the eleventh century. Today there are traces of the military defences built by the Genovese in the thirteenth century such as traces of the old walls, ramparts and the look out tower.

There was a castle here before 1200 and some ruins of it can still be seen. The community of Monterosso was founded in 1214.
The church of San Giovanni Battista, built-in 1220 has a bell tower built in 1400 as a lookout tower.
The church of San Antonio di Mesco was built in 1335.

The new town is called Fegina and is linked to the old part of Monterosso by a pedestrian tunnel. Statue of Neptune built into the rock, but made of concrete so badly deteriorated, was built by an architect in the 1920’s.
The sandy shelf provides the ideal habitat for seagrass which acts as a lung for the waters of the Cinque Terre and provides a beautiful beach for us. The whole area is a marine protected area, like the sea version of a national park.
2007 Forbes magazine called Monterosso the sexiest beach in the world….whatever that may mean.

Boat Ride (weather permitting)

At Riomaggiore, centuries ago, the distinctive tall, colourful houses known as Genovese tower houses arranged in rows connected by alleys, arches and steps provided a defense against pirates.

House colours are regulated by the comune. You can’t just paint them any colour you like!

Houses have two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on the higher road, so that when they were attacked by pirates, the people could escape.

At the end of the eighteen hundreds the railway came along the coast and Riomaggiore, along with the other towns of the cinque terrre came out of their historic isolation, even though a road wouldn’t reach them until the 1970’s.

Language, lingua ligure, the villages were so cut off even from each other that they spoke different dialects of the same language.

Coach transfer back to Florence

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• Suitable walking shoes are mandatory for those doing the hiking – no flip-flops. Suggestions: walking boots or sneakers, closed toe shoes with non-slip soles.
• If you want to swim during free time, please remember to bring your own towel and swimwear.
• On rare occasions the boat ride will stop operating due to bad weather or strong winds. It is beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued.
• In case of unexpected closure of the paths for unforeseen events, alternative routes will be taken instead for those doing the hiking
• A large amount of walking is involved for those doing the hiking. You must be of average fitness and be able to keep up with the rest of the group.
• Due to uneven surfaces, we cannot accept anyone with walking difficulties, below average fitness, or young children.
• Minimum age is 8 years.

• Dep 7:30am – TOUR WITH HIKING
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  TOUR WITH HIKING: This option includes some hiking to move between the Cinque Terre villages.
• Dep 7:30am – TRANSPORT ONLY
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  TRANSPORT ONLY: It is included ONLY the coach transportation from Florence to Cinque Terre and back on the same day.
• Dep 7:30am – TOUR ONLY
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  TOUR ONLY: This option does not include the hiking part of the tour. It will be used the train instead, to move between villages.

• Time to explore the Cinque Terre villages on foot
• Boat ride along the Riviera (end March to end October only – weather permitting)
• Entry tickets to the Cinque Terre National Park
• A fun and professional guide who is there to lead you through the day
• Transport between Florence and Cinque Terre by coach plus all other transport for the day

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• Suitable walking shoes required – no flip-flops. Mandatory: walking boots or sneakers, closed toe shoes with non slip soles.
• A large amount of walking is involved, you must be of average fitness and able to keep up with the rest of the group

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Walkabout Florence Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Rome.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 7764 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.