Cinque Terre Day Trip: Tour Experience & Travel Insights
- assetimages
- May 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Itinerary:
VIATOR Best of Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
07:00am, at Piazzale Montelungo (Montelungo Square)
Levanto train station to Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and La Spezia.
You can buy train tickets and the Cinque Terre Cards at every train station in Cinque Terre, in Levanto and La Spezia or online on the Trenitalia website or app
The Cinque Terre Card - Buying a Cinque Terre Card is a great option for anyone who wishes to travel by train back and forth between the villages during their visit. The card includes unlimited train runs with the Cinque Terre Express trains on the La Spezia - Cinque Terre - Levanto line. This card also gives you access to the paid hiking trails between Monterosso and Corniglia
Dinner: Giglio d'oro - Firenze Via dei Servi 51r
The Cinque Terre tour departs from Piazzale Montelungo in Florence at 7 AM. Knowing it would be a long ride with no snacks provided, I planned ahead to grab breakfast on our walk to the meeting point. The small tour bus and limited group size seemed like a positive start, and the ride turned out to be comfortable. The day started off rainy, adding to the sense of a long trip, but luckily, by the time we approached Cinque Terre, the skies cleared, offering a glimpse of the stunning coastline.
Tour Logistics & Unexpected Costs
Early in the drive, the tour leader went over the itinerary and mentioned optional package upgrades. I had initially chosen this tour assuming it included train tickets, but it actually only covered transportation to Levanto train station—nothing beyond that. The package upgrade included all transportation: trains, a boat ride, and visits to three villages. Another upgrade added lunch.
Since I expected intermittent rain, we decided to upgrade the transportation package to avoid the hassle of purchasing individual tickets. However, we skipped the meal upgrade, preferring to explore Cinque Terre’s restaurants and cafés on our own.
First Impressions of Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre's beauty met expectations—its charm and stunning landscapes were just as mesmerizing in person as they appeared in photos. Initially, I had considered starting the trip in Riomaggiore and using it as our home base. However, after researching transportation logistics, I realized accessibility could be challenging. Most guides agree that the best way to reach Cinque Terre is by train or private transfer, but either option requires walking from the drop-off point to your hotel, as village streets aren’t car-friendly.
Concerned about managing luggage, I abandoned the idea—and in hindsight, it was the right call. A better approach for future visits would be using Milan as a home base, leaving most belongings behind, and spending the night in Cinque Terre without worrying about heavy bags.
Tour Experience: Fast-Paced & Transportation-Focused
This Cinque Terre tour was unexpectedly focused on transportation, with little storytelling or historical insight from our guide. While she pointed out a few recommended shops and eateries, there wasn’t much context shared about each village. I anticipated a fast-paced experience since it was just a day trip, but I had expected more information about the villages during the drive.
Had the weather been stable—either consistently sunny or cloudy—I would have preferred buying our own train tickets at Levanto station, possibly with guidance from our tour guide. This would have allowed equal time in the three villages I wanted to explore: Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Manarola. If we had explored independently, I really wanted to hike or walk the path between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
Boat Ride & Coastal Views
The tour included a boat ride, offering a unique perspective of Cinque Terre’s coastal villages. However, independent travelers should note that boat rides are always dependent on weather conditions and sea swells. Our guide made it clear at the start that while the package included a boat ride, final confirmation depended on safety assessments by the boating facility.
Crowds & Seasonal Travel
One important takeaway is that each village has one main pedestrian street, leading to heavy foot traffic, especially around midday. Visiting in April, I expected fewer visitors, but it still felt like peak season, particularly at lunchtime, when tour groups filled the narrow streets.
Food Highlights & Missed Tastes
The food in Cinque Terre was definitely a highlight. Their pasta, focaccia, and lemon-infused dishes stood out, making every meal feel like a treat. While I sampled a variety of local specialties, I wish I had tried more seafood. One dish I regret missing was Cinque Terre’s version of fish and chips, which our tour leader mentioned as one of the best in Italy.
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
Overall, this Cinque Terre tour provided a practical way to experience the region, despite unexpected costs and a lack of historical insights from the guide. While the fast-paced schedule required preparation and flexibility, it helped me gain a clear understanding of logistics for a future visit.
Florence Farewell Dinner & Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Our last dinner in Florence was bittersweet—I had enjoyed every moment of our time here. One of my original goals was to try Bistecca alla Fiorentina, but its sheer size always felt excessive—even for sharing. I wasn’t sure if I’d get the chance to experience this specialty before we left.
After a quick online search, I discovered a well-reviewed restaurant, with the added charm of being housed in an 18th-century building. To my surprise, they offered a smaller steak portion, making it more manageable while still delivering the full experience. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina costa per una persona ended up being one of the best steaks I’ve ever tasted! With a mix of locals and tourists, the restaurant had a welcoming atmosphere, making it a fitting place for our farewell dinner.
📍 Follow along for more recommendations and insights into Italy’s most captivating destinations!
Comments