Day Trip to Cinque Terre & Pisa, Florence

Trade Florence's Renaissance grandeur for the laid-back beauty of the Ligurian coast on a small-group day trip to Cinque Terre and Pisa. Traveling by minivan, train, boat, and on foot, you'll explore colorful seaside villages, coastal viewpoints, and vineyard-draped hillsides—then cap the day with a stop at Pisa's iconic Piazza dei Miracoli to strike a pose with its famous tilted tower. It's a thoughtfully paced, full-day escape that covers a lot of ground and is flexible to your interests.

Your day begins with an early departure from Florence, heading northwest for about 2.5 hours toward the Ligurian coast in a comfortable minivan. Along the way, your guide sets the scene, sharing insights into the history and geography of Cinque Terre National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic cliffs, terraced vineyards, and five pastel-hued villages that cling to the shoreline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

Once you arrive, you'll check out several of the Cinque Terre villages, moving between them by local train or minivan. As you wander through narrow lanes and seaside promenades, you'll soak in the relaxed rhythm of daily life, admire colorful houses stacked above the sea, and enjoy exploring at your own pace. Use your designated free time to take a dip in the often crystalline waters of the Ligurian Sea along the Riviera, browse small shops, and/or sample local favorites like fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto alla Genovese (Genoa, the green sauce's birthplace, is home to the area).

Next, depending on the weather and your preference, you'll take a scenic boat ride along the coast, offering a different perspective of the national park's rugged beauty. Alternatively, enjoy a gentle trek through the terraced hills above the villages, where vineyard views and coastal panoramas provide some of the day's most memorable photo opportunities.

The journey continues to Pisa, where you'll visit Piazza dei Miracoli to see its concentration of medieval Pisan architecture. You can stroll the historic square, admire the cathedral and baptistery, and capture that classic photo with the Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading back to Florence.