Italy · TOURS IN CINQUE TERRE
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 tours in Cinque Terre worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend eight hours aboard the Lord Byron ferry from La Spezia, with commentary in English, French, and Italian. Depending on the day, visit Riomaggiore or Portovenere, then Monterosso and Vernazza. You get free time in each port for food, shopping, sightseeing, or a swim. The boat has shaded seating, indoor space, toilets, and a small bar.
“It was wonderful from start to finish. The crew was FANTASTIC!!!”
Leave Florence at 7:00 a.m. in an air-conditioned minivan for a full day in Cinque Terre. With up to eight people, an English-speaking driver-guide, coastal train tickets, and a seasonal shared boat, you’ll see Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso with free time for lunch and exploring.
“Tour was exactly as advertised - no surprises. The guide was professional, personable, and helpful. Everything went very smoothly. We enjoyed our day in this beautiful area. Very relaxing - much easier than when we did it on our own a few years ago! Highly recommend!!”
Travel by comfortable coach from La Spezia to Florence and Pisa with a guide such as Federico, Giada, or Luminita helping you stay on schedule. You get about 3.5 hours in Florence and 1.5 hours in Pisa, plus maps, Wi-Fi, and optional walking, Leaning Tower, or Accademia Gallery access. It is a fast, low-cost way to cover two Tuscan highlights.
“our guide Giada was awesome... the trip was definitely tight on time... but we got in everything we wanted. armed with the basic information from Giada we went into the towns and hit all the major places... it's an amazing place.. the details are too much to take in, in a si. ple your.. you can spend a month looking around.. but the "Coles notes" version was fantastic”
Meet your green-shirted escort outside La Spezia cruise terminal, ride a comfortable bus to Pisa, and spend about three hours exploring. Choose free time, a city walk, or the Leaning Tower ticket option with Cathedral entry. Guides such as Martina, Giada, and Alessandro provide clear directions, maps, and return instructions.
“We didn’t do a guided tour but the transport and arrangement / organisation were excellent, the information shared on the journey was also helpful.”
Travel by train from La Spezia to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso with an English- or Spanish-speaking tour leader. You get free time in each village, a Cinque Terre train pass, and advice on food, beaches, and photo spots. Guides such as Lara, Katerina, and Linda help keep the group moving on this scenic but demanding seven-hour day.
“It was great and even though it rained in the afternoon it was a great experience and Thankyou to Linda whom guided us. She is an asset to your team”
Travel from La Spezia to three Cinque Terre villages by train with a multilingual guide. Walk through La Spezia’s center, explore Vernazza, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore at your own pace, and taste regional limoncino in a traditional shop. Guides such as Romina, Martina, Lisa, and Matteo are known for clear directions and useful local tips.
“The 3 towns are beautiful, and our family had a wonderful time. Our guide Lisa was very nice and informative. The food, beaches, and little shops were wonderful. Only warning would be that the trains were busy and there was a lot of walking. Well worth the trip and I recommend it for a day trip out of La Spezia.”
Cruise from La Spezia past Portovenere, San Pietro church, hidden coves, all five Cinque Terre villages, and the Via dell’Amore. Your English, Italian, or Spanish-speaking guide explains the coast, then gives you time in Monterosso for a walk, gelato, or swim. Guides may include Federico, Francesco, Amos, or Fred.
“Andrea really amazing and he is made to do this job!!!”
Travel from Florence by air-conditioned bus to Cinque Terre with a licensed guide, visiting cliffside villages such as Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Full-day options include train tickets and a boat ride, while the lunch option adds a typical meal with drinks. Expect a long, active day with free time for swimming and exploring.
“This was such a wonderful compact day trip. We had a group of pleasent tourists, a fun guide, a comfy bus with an experienced driver. I expected much more walking but we took the train between the villages and we did not have that much time to wander far. We singed up for the tour including lunch (food was excellent) which meant that we had less time to walk in the village or go to the beach after . I wish the tour was just an hour or 2 longer so we could really enjoy the place. But all in all i do recommend going on this trip.”
Travel from Florence to Cinque Terre in a private air-conditioned car or minivan with a guide such as Luca, Nunzio, Marco, or Benjamin. Spend time in Manarola, Vernazza, and Corniglia, stop for lunch, and admire Carrara’s marble quarries on the way. You can also request a Pisa stop.
“Great day with a super guide who was well worth spending the day with! Saw all the little places you’d never go and find alone. Such a great wonderful experience”
Spend 7.5 to 8 hours with Captain Gerry aboard a traditional Ligurian boat, sailing from La Spezia past Portovenere, Byron’s Cave, red cliffs, and all five Cinque Terre villages. Swim in clear coastal water, enjoy focaccia and drinks, and choose your stops with the group. Monterosso offers up to 1.5 hours ashore.
“The trip was magical and Gerry is a brilliant host and captain! He had the best music playlist I’ve heard in a while, put on an excellent spread of traditional focaccia and drinks. We swam in several places that were out of a movie, truly unbelievable. So many pinch me moments on this boat trip, thank you Gerry you’re the best!”
Set out from Môle Doria with a small group of up to seven and cruise around Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto. Lorenzo, Tommaso, or another local skipper points out Torre Scola, the Tino lighthouse, Madonnina, the Blue Cave, and San Pietro Church. You also get about 20 minutes to swim and snorkel near Palmaria.
“The boat was smart and clean, the two guys doing the tour were friendly, and the trip itself was beautiful. We got the boat to ourselves as we were a family of four, which was even better. It seemed good value compared to most holiday boat trips I’ve been on, and I would definitely do it again if we came back!”
Travel by air-conditioned coach from La Spezia to Florence and Pisa in one long day. You’ll see Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Pisa’s cathedral complex, and the Leaning Tower area. Optional extras include a Florence walking tour, Accademia Gallery entry, and a Leaning Tower climb. Guides such as Alessandro, Lumi, and Giada keep the day moving.
“Good overview of Florence and Pisa. Was quiet on the day we did it. Would have struggled to climb the tower in the time allocated if there had been queues though.”
Board in Manarola for a 2.5-hour sunset cruise along all five Cinque Terre villages. A captain such as Giovanni, Sul, or Danielle handles the boat and shares local stories. Expect a small group of up to 10, one welcome drink, light snacks, swimming when conditions allow, and unforgettable views from the sea.
“Our guide Danielle was excellent! The experience was wonderful, to see Cinque terre from the water is such a site… my daughter got to jump in the water from the boat, the tour was truly magical. The sunset, gorgeous! Highly recommend.”
From Monterosso, a crew of up to 12 takes you past all five Cinque Terre villages, with photo stops, a 30-minute swim, and a 45-minute aperitif break. Guides such as Ester, Roberta, Gabriel, and Andrea are known for warm hosting and clear local stories. Drinks, snacks, and a professional skipper are included.
“It was really fantastic ! We were very satisfied of the boat, of the itinary, the landscapes, the swimming stops, the food and drinks onboard, and so on ! Over and above, the staff was very very nice, funny, sympathic, and interesting ! It was a perfect experience for us, and we definitely recommand it ! Thank you four all ! Ornella & Aurélien”
Set out from La Spezia on a 2.5-hour small-group speedboat tour with an English-speaking captain. Pass fishing villages, Scola Tower, the three Portovenere islands, sea caves, and Byron’s Grotto, then enjoy about 75 minutes in Portovenere. Bring sun protection and expect no restroom on board.
“it was nice activity. Not something I'd do on purpose. There was a strike in Italy so I had to spend several hours somewhere. This tour was nice for this purpose”
Pick a ruin, a gallery, a kitchen or a coastline.
