Can you visit Cinque Terre from Tuscany?

The Cinque Terre is only a few kilometers away from the Tuscan border, so many travellers visit Tuscany before or after the Cinque Terre.



Yes, visiting the Cinque Terre from Tuscany is a very popular and feasible day trip, particularly if you are based in Florence, Lucca, or Pisa. The most efficient way to get there is by train. From Florence, the journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, requiring a change at Pisa or La Spezia. Once you arrive at La Spezia Centrale, you can purchase a "Cinque Terre Card" which gives you unlimited access to the regional trains that hop between the five colorful villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) in just a few minutes each. Driving from Tuscany is generally discouraged, as the villages are mostly car-free and parking in the gateway towns is extremely limited and expensive. For a more scenic experience, you can take a ferry from the La Spezia waterfront, which allows you to see the stunning coastline from the sea—the best angle for photography. While it is a long day (expect about 12 hours total for a round trip from Florence), it is entirely possible to see three or four of the villages in one go if you start early. Just be prepared for significant walking and many stairs, as the terrain is very steep and rugged.

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Cinque Terre are close enough to Florence to be reached in less than 2 hours. So it makes a perfect destination for a day trip!

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If you do decide to day-trip, the big but easygoing town of La Spezia is far closer than Genoa or Pisa, with just a seven-minute commute to the closest Cinque Terre village, Riomaggiore, and around 15 to 25 minutes to the farthest village, Monterosso.

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Trains are the easiest way to get to and around Cinque Terre. Trenitalia has direct connections to La Spezia from Rome, Florence, and Pisa (the closest airport). Once in Cinque Terre, the Cinque Terre Express train runs between La Spezia and Levanto in Sestri Levante, stopping at each village.

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You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you take short breaks—although many hikers prefer to spread the route out over a few days at a strolling pace, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north).

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The Amalfi Coast is home to lavish 5-star hotels and international jet-setters. Plus it's possible to reach the beautiful island of Capri, sample pizza in its home of Naples, and visit Pompeii. Cinque Terre is more laid-back, suited to those who adore hiking and photography.

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The cheapest way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre is to train which costs €13 - €23 and takes 2h 29m. What is the fastest way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre? The quickest way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre is to drive which costs €29 - €45 and takes 2h 4m.

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Visit some of the villages Choose to visit two or three of the villages, for example Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages.

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You really need a whole week to see a good chunk of Tuscany. However, if you can stay longer, this itinerary can be extended to two weeks by adding on days in Lucca, Cinque Terre and Rome. Want to do a grand tour? Consider adding on to this 10-day Northern Italy itinerary.

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Discover Pisa and the picturesque Cinque Terre on this day trip departing from Florence. Snap a photo with the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading to the coast to see the seaside villages of the Italian Riviera. There, travel through the pink- and yellow-hued towns of the Cinque Terre, a World Heritage Site.

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The easiest village to reach by car is actually Monterosso, which also has the cheapest parking. Manarola and Riomaggiore do have parking lots above their towns, but you will need to walk from there to the center. Corniglia and Vernazza are more difficult to reach by car, due to narrow roads and limited parking space.

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The Cinque Terre is made up of five villages on Italy's Ligurian coast. Not only is the entire region a national park, but it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The natural beauty of this rugged coastline is unmatched and draws visitors from all over the world.

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Florence is the capital city of Tuscany, so Florence is within Tuscany, while Rome is to the south of it, in the region of Lazio.

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TIP: Due to its proximity, a visit to Cinque Terre can easily be combined with that of Tuscany. Here you can read more about the most beautiful towns of Tuscany.

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