Visiting Cinque Terre: Planning a one-day visit from Florence
Planning a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence?
Even with the many fabulous places to visit in Italy, Cinque Terre stands out as unique and memorable. Here's everything you need to know to pull it off.
The Cinque Terre, the romantic and beautiful cliff villages on the Italian Riviera, can be easily accessed by train for a terrific day trip out of Florence, Italy. We took a great tour of the five villages and were completely floored by the beauty and quaint charm of the area.
Of course, any of these towns would be a great place to stay overnight, and it certainly is a different, peaceful experience when the day-trippers are gone for the day.
But if you can’t fit a stay into your vacation itinerary, a day trip to this great location is still a great option. You can eat, hike, swim, and enjoy incredible views for one incredible day, thanks to easy accessibility from Tuscany. Here’s what we did.
Where is Cinque Terre?
Known for its colorful beauty and relaxing pace of life, The Cinque Terre - or The Five Towns - is a group of old fishing villages strung together high on the rugged cliffs of the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region. Medieval terraces built on the steep terrain allow the local people in this naturally isolated area to grow grapes, olives, and other local delicacies overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Once only connected by mule tracks, the Cinque Terre can now be reached by rail or boat, and offers many tourist delights, like beautiful beaches, engaging hikes and delicious local food. And of course, the breathtaking vistas are a photographer’s dream.
Though there are many reasons to stay a few days and relax in any of these quaint little villages, a collective tour makes for a beautiful and diversionary day trip, especially if your Italian vacation is city-focused as ours was. It is literally a breath of fresh air!
How to get to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre Logistics & Costs (2026)
| Ticket / Option | 2026 Price (Adult) | Expert Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Florence → La Spezia Train | ~€18–€23 | Takes about 2–2.5 hours. Change in Pisa for faster connections. Book in advance via Trainline for the best fares. |
| Single Village-to-Village Train Ticket | €5–€10 (seasonal) | Best if you're only taking the train 1–2 times. Tickets are tiered: green (low), yellow (mid), red (peak) season dates. |
| Trekking Card (Hiking Only) | €7.50 (1 day) / €14.50 (2 days) | Covers access to the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro). Does NOT include train rides. Good if you plan to hike between towns and skip the train. |
| Train Card (Hiking + Unlimited Train) | €19.50–€32.50 (seasonal) | Best value for most day-trippers. Covers unlimited Cinque Terre Express trains + all hiking trails. Buy in advance at the National Park office in La Spezia or online. |
| Via dell'Amore (Lovers' Walk) | +€10 add-on | Reopened in 2024 after 12 years of closure! Requires a timed entry slot (max 200 people per 30 min). One-way only: Riomaggiore → Manarola. Book ahead — slots sell out. |
| Ferry Between Villages | ~€8–€18 per leg | Runs March–November. Connects Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza & Monterosso (not Corniglia). A beautiful way to see the coastline — worth it for at least one leg of your trip. |
| Corniglia Access | Free (train stop) | The only village with no sea access — you climb 382 steps (the Lardarina staircase) from the train station to reach the village. Quieter and less touristy than its sisters. |
We took a bus tour out of Florence that brought us to La Spezia, where we got on the Cinque Terre Express, the fast regional rail that runs through the villages.
Of course, you don’t need to take a formal tour - you can do this trip yourself, by taking a train from Florence to the La Spezia station to pick up the Cinque Terre Express; the whole ride takes about two hours. We think the best and easiest way to book train tickets in Europe is to use Trainline. This website & app make it very easy to type in your starting point and destination and see what your options are, then book the ticket and put it right into your Apple Wallet.
Once you're at La Spezia Centrale, you can hop on the Cinque Terre Express, which connects all five villages. Single one-way tickets between any two villages are tiered by season: €5 in low season, €8 in medium season, and €10 at peak times. Children 4–11 get 50% off.
You can purchase a Cinque Terre Train Card, which includes unlimited train travel on the La Spezia - Levanto line, free use of the eco-friendly buses, and free access to all walking paths.
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We are usually not “tour people”, but this is just the kind of tour we like - transportation and guidance to the area, a laid-back guide offering plenty of info and suggestions, and lots of “hands off” time to ourselves to explore at every stop.
We visited four of the five towns - Vernazza, Monterosso, Manarola and Riomaggiore, each with its own personality. We did not visit Corniglia, as it is mostly for serious hikers and not easily included in a one-day experience. But I’ll still give some information about it in this post.
Do you actually need the full Train Card for a day trip?
It's worth doing the math to know for sure. If you take the train 6 or more times in a day, the Train Card pays for itself. That sounds like a lot of rides, but we found that they add up quickly. We visited 5 towns on our most recent trip, so that’s a lot of quick train trips.
If you're hiking the Blue Trail and taking the train 3+ times, it's worth it too. But for a lighter day-tripper who takes the train just 2–3 times, buying individual tickets might actually be cheaper.
The beautiful Vernazza harbor features a small, sandy beach and small fishing boats. All photos by John O’Boyle / The Empty Nest Explorers
Do I need a Cinque Terre Card for hiking — and what's the difference between the Trekking Card and the Train Card?
"Cinque Terre Card" is actually an umbrella name for two different passes. The Trekking Card covers access to the famous Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) - the paid coastal path that runs between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia. The Train Card includes everything in the Trekking Card plus unlimited train rides on the Cinque Terre Express between La Spezia and Levanto, with stops at all five villages.
Here's the thing most people don't realize: the vast majority of hiking trails in the park are completely free. You only need a card if you want to hike the Blue Trail specifically. For example, no card was needed to hike the gorgeous trail we hiked above Manarola. That hike was simply stunning.
2026 brings good news for hikers of the Via dell'Amore — it reopened in 2024 after a 12-year closure and is once again accessible. It does require a +€10 add-on to either card, plus a timed entry slot booked in advance. You do still need to book a timed entry slot in advance, as it's limited to 200 people every 30 minutes and slots sell out fast in peak season.
Bottom line: If you're a day-tripper taking the train between villages and want to hike the Blue Trail, the Train Card is your best bet and simplest option.
Cinque Terre Card: Which One Do You Need? (2026)
| Feature | Trekking Card | Train Card (Treno MS) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Visitors staying overnight who want to hike the Blue Trail without taking the train much | Day-trippers from Florence who want to hop between villages by train AND hike |
| Unlimited Cinque Terre Express trains (La Spezia ↔ Levanto) | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Blue Trail hiking (Sentiero Azzurro) — Monterosso, Vernazza & Corniglia section | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| All other hiking trails (100+ km in the park) | ✓ Free — no card needed | ✓ Free — no card needed |
| Via dell'Amore (Lovers' Walk) | Add-on: +€10 (Trekking Card Plus) | Add-on: +€10 (Train Card Plus) |
| Park buses between villages | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Free Wi-Fi at park hotspots | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Discounted La Spezia museum entry | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| 1-day price (Adult, low/green season) | €7.50 | €19.50 |
| 1-day price (Adult, peak/red season) | €15.00 | €32.50 |
| 1-day price (Child 4–11, standard) | €4.50 | €9.00–€21.00 (seasonal) |
| Children under 4 | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Where to buy | At trailhead entrances, park Welcome Centres, or online at card.parconazionale5terre.it | Online at card.parconazionale5terre.it, via Trenitalia, or at La Spezia / village train stations |
* Prices vary by season (green/yellow/red calendar dates). Via dell'Amore timed slots must be booked separately at viadellamore.info. Children under 4 travel and hike free when accompanied by a card-holding adult.
Where to buy your Cinque Terre Card
There are three ways to buy:
Online in advance - the official National Park booking site is card.parconazionale5terre.it, and they also have a MyPass app for smartphone purchases. You can also buy through Trenitalia's website with no additional booking fees and no account required - just check out as a guest.
In person on the day - cards are sold at tourist offices at the train stations in all five villages, plus La Spezia and Levanto stations, and also at the entrance to each section of the Blue Trail itself.
Pro tip: when you buy online, you need to specify the exact date, and it cannot be changed. So don't book until your plans are firm.
Important tip about visiting major attractions in Italy -
If you plan on hiking Via dell'Amore, you should double-check the website viadellamore.info before you visit, since details often change.
As one of the world’s top tourist destinations, it is shocking how difficult it can be to get clear information and simply purchase tickets to major attractions.
Italy's attractions are getting better, but confusion often reigns. A perfect example of this is the improved ticketing at the Roman Colosseum. You can read about that here: Visiting the Roman Colosseum
So, a word of caution about visiting attractions in Italy - double check the details, then triple check right before you leave home.
Visiting Vernazza
Our first stop was the village of Vernazza, and it is a beauty! It was a great introduction to what to expect during our daylong adventure. The town is characterized by a jumble of pastel-coloured dwellings stacked in the ledges around the one main street with many nice restaurants and shops.
We didn’t hesitate to sample a few snacks - the pesto at “La Focacceria” was recommended to us so we tried a couple different versions, served pizza-style on focaccia bread. Buonissimo!
Vernazza is said to produce some of the finest olive oil in all of Italy, and the entire region has the perfect climate to grow basil, so it’s no wonder that their pesto is so good. We also tried some very authentic gelato - lemon of course - from a very sweet shop owner followed by a rich and satisfying cappuccino for only 1.50 euro. All the treats were beyond enjoyable!
There are no cars in tiny Vernazza - they are only allowed once a week when the street markets come to town so the locals can shop - and immediately you feel the peacefulness of no traffic. Vernazza also features a pretty little harbor and hiking trails to some of the other towns.
As with all hikes in Cinque Terre, they are pretty physically challenging even if considered “easy” - the terrain is very steep and it can be very hot in the sun. So go slow, drink water and don’t oversell your own abilities.
We decided to forgo hiking at this first stop, as we only had about forty-five minutes to explore here and we still had a full day ahead of us. (That’s another nice thing about taking a tour as an introduction to the area - the tour guide knew what amount of time was useful to get a taste of every town, whereas we may not have been able to figure that out on our own.)
So Vernazza was all about the snacks and views for us. We enjoyed seeing the train buzzing through the cliffs - a touch of modernization that does not spoil the scenery at all. You have to marvel at the engineering feat of boring tunnels through these ancient cliffs; the first train lines were built in the 1870’s. It did remind me of a very wistfully built model train display. Only it was real! Vernazza was a good first stop because it is small and easy to navigate but still has stunning views.
The beach in Monterosso al Mare.
Visiting Monterosso al Mare
We took the train north one stop to Monterosso al Mare. This town is the largest of the Cinque Terre towns and a bit more like a tourist beach resort. It does have some cars, but still is very laid back.
The town is dominated by the ruins of a castle and features colorful medieval lanes and the pretty terraced houses that characterize the area. A tunnel under the castle connects the old town promenade to a breathtakingly beautiful beach, dotted with colorful umbrellas. It is the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre, so if you want to do “beachy stuff”, this is the stop to do it.
The real star of course is the Mediterranean Sea, so clear and blue and inviting. There was enough time at this stop to take a dip and many did.
Monterosso lemons
We made this spot our lunch stop and picked Ristorante Ciak. We sat outside in the lovely weather and atmosphere of Old Town Monterosso, and enjoyed the local pesto and homemade pasta, delightfully tossed and served tableside. But the bright, verdant dish isn’t the only specialty of the area. Inside you could see the spread of local seafood laid out, which was served in clay ceramic hot pots to the tables.
Garlicky mussels, grilled octopus, calamari, and other local fish are the usual offerings throughout the Cinque Terre. And they take particular pride in their native anchovies, which are served in many different forms - fried, marinated, salt-cured or with pasta, and also in a layered baked dish with potatoes, tomatoes, and olive oil.
Even if you don’t care for them, you should give anchovies a go in Cinque Terre. A very different experience than out of the tin.
And of course, there are lemons, lemons, lemons, everywhere! Lemon trees grow all over the promenade and look so cheerily Italian. Every little shop offers all manner of lemony trinkets, from aprons to pottery to soap to tea, and on and on. So when we had some more gelato, even though we picked strawberry this time, we of course had a little scoop of lemon in the cup. When in Rome – I mean – when in Monterosso!
View from a hike high above Manarola. The stunning view is worth the steep climb.
Our other Italy travel posts:
To learn more about where to eat and what to see in Trastevere, take a look at our blog post, Trastevere: what to see in Rome’s charming neighborhood.
If you are planning to visit the Roman Colosseum, read our tips and advice here.
Visiting Manarola
Charming and romantic Manarola was our next stop. We took the train south this time, passing Vernazza and Corniglia (where we did not visit on this particular tour) and stopping in Manarola. The first thing you notice about this town is how high up it is - built on a high rock 70 meters above sea level. It doesn’t have a real beach here like Monterosso does, but deep-water swimming is said to be some of the best in the world and it is a very popular spot for cliff diving.
Debbie and John hiking above Manarola.
The operative word for Manarola is STEEP. The town is characterized by “carrugi” - narrow stepped lanes and you really get a sense of how high up you are. It was here that we decided to do some hiking, led by our tour guide, Antonio.
Because this part of the Cinque Terre is a national park, it has better-maintained hiking trails, but the terrain can still be a little rough. I really recommend wearing sturdy shoes or at least sneakers. You can always tuck flip-flops into your bag for beachgoing, but you’ll want to have real shoes on for this kind of hiking. I saw some people taking this trail in sandals, but I do not think that’s a good idea.
It starts out paved but is a very steep climb, and then goes along the rough terraces with vineyards supported by stone walls. (Interestingly, they are referred to as “dry stone walls”, which means they are created without mortar. The stones are just carefully and tightly placed, and have to be regularly maintained by craftsmen who are experts at this ancient technique.)
This scenic trail connects Manarola to Corniglia - but you don’t have to go the whole distance to see spectacular views looking back at the villages and the Mediterranean. It’s also free and you don’t need a hiking pass.
This was one of the most memorable experiences we had while in Italy. The views from this trail are just stunning, almost otherworldly. Worth every rugged step.
Panoramic view of Manarola
Visiting Riomaggiore
One more ride on the Cinque Terre Express took us to the most southern village of Riomaggiore.
This small village has picturesque sea views and is dominated by its pretty little harbor. There are plenty of steps to climb, and admittedly, our legs were getting tired! So I think, as a day trip, we had done just the right amount of exploring by this time.
Riomaggiore is connected to Manarola by the famous Via Dell’Amore or “Lovers’ Walk” trail known for romantic landscapes as it winds through an excavated rock face that overhangs the sea.
Important update - The Via dell'Amore was closed for 12 years and reopened in 2024. Now it requires a timed 30-minute entry slot and costs an extra €10 on top of your card. A maximum of 200 people can enter every 30 minutes, and it's one-way only — Riomaggiore to Manarola.
In the winter, the wind and weather can be rough, and no tours take place during that time of year. The locals say they can read the wind; to know the wind is to know the weather. But being here in late May, the weather was just perfect.
The boys climbed the steep steps to take pictures of the harbor, but I sat this one out and did some people-watching. It was pretty crowded in this tiny town, which felt a little tighter than the other villages we visited and I might even say “grittier” but still lovely. One last cappuccino and we were ready to get on the train back to La Spezia.
Corniglia
The one village our tour did not cover was Corniglia, which is located in the middle of the Cinque Terre towns, between Vernazza and Manarola. If we had continued on the trail of our “big hike” in Manarola, we would have wound up in Corniglia. But the trail is quite challenging and not for the faint of heart.
Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre town that does not have access from the sea. The other towns are connected by ferries that run every hour. It is quieter than its more touristy sisters and looks less coastal and more like an inland town. If you are looking for a quiet place to stay in the region, this might be the place.
Best hotels in Cinque Terre
We enjoyed Cinque Terre so much we are absolutely planning to return for another visit. For our next visit, we’ll try staying overnight in Cinque Terre. If you’d like to stay overnight here are a few highly rated options.
Scorci Di Mare in Riomaggiore
Rooms with amazing views
150 feet from Riomaggiore’s rocky coast
many dining options nearby
Check dates and rates here
Hotel Souvenir in Monterosso
5-minute walk to the beach
Excellent breakfast included
flat screen tv, wifi, and private bathroom
Check dates and rates here
Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Cinque Terre
Is a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence worth it? Absolutely, Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful places we've ever been, and the train connections make it surprisingly easy. Yes, it's a long day, but we'd do it again in a heartbeat.
How many villages can you realistically visit in one day? Most day-trippers can comfortably see three or four villages. We visited Vernazza, Monterosso, Manarola, and Riomaggiore and felt we got a real taste of each. But please take your time and enjoy the flavor of each town. Don’t rush through just to check off another town.
Do I need to book the Cinque Terre Card in advance? It's a good idea, especially in peak season (June–August). You can buy it at the La Spezia Centrale station on arrival, but the Via dell'Amore timed entry slots genuinely do sell out — book those ahead online.
What's the best time of year to visit Cinque Terre? Late May and early June are ideal — the weather is warm, the crowds are manageable, and everything is open. July and August are very crowded and hot. We went in late May and it was just perfect.
Can you swim in Cinque Terre on a day trip? Yes! Monterosso al Mare has the only real sand beach in the five villages. If swimming is a priority, budget extra time there.
Final thoughts on visiting Cinque Terre
We really enjoyed taking a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre. It gave us a good general overview of the area, and we definitely would like to go back and stay awhile sometime. Not every village has hotels, and they are generally small and family-run. Other accommodations are bed & breakfasts, apartments and guesthouses, depending on what town you stay in.
There are castles, churches, and ruins to explore in Cinque Terre that we did not focus on. For us, it was about the combination of nature and culture, photogenic views, hiking, and local food. And these are definitely things you can appreciate on a day trip.
With the bus and train ride from Florence, it is a long and tiring day, but we found it to be one of our favorite experiences in Italy. Thumbs up!
Oh and do try the white wine! They take pride in it!
If you are looking for more info about visiting Italy, check out our post with tips for traveling in Italy and how to travel by high-speed train in Italy.
This post was researched and written by Debbie O'Boyle of The Empty Nest Explorers.
Debbie is a professional photographer with over 30 years of experience and a former staff member at the Star-Ledger/NJ.com, where she managed the digital photography technical team.
She and her husband, John, have traveled extensively through Europe and the United States, and write from firsthand experience at every destination they cover.
Helpful links for visiting Cinque Terre
Tips on photographing Italy - https://www.theemptynestexplorers.com/blog/photo-tips-for-traveling-in-italy
City Wonders small group tour - https://citywonders.com/florence-tours/cinque-terre-and-portovenere-tour
Cinque Terre Express train - https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-timetable
Ristorante Ciak - https://www.ristoranteciak.net/
A few well-reviewed Cinque Terre tours:
Other Italy travel posts you might be interested in:
