No-Car Tuscany Day Trips from Florence
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. I only recommend activities I have personally been on and enjoyed or that friends/family have been on and enjoyed.
Note: Italian trains often require a time validation stamp on your ticket before you board - keep an eye out for the machines to avoid a ticket! Book train tickets in advance for the best prices, especially for high-speed trains!
Chianti Wine Region
No visit to Tuscany is complete without a stop in the nearby wine regions, where you'll soak in the beautiful rolling hills of the countryside while sipping on some of the best wine you've ever had. Honestly, you don't want to deal with driving on this day regardless!
There are plenty of day tour options from the wine region that leave out of Florence directly, so planning couldn't be easier! Some great options:
-Grape Tours:
My personal favorite is Grape Tours, who I've toured with in both Tuscany and the south of France. They have a max group size of 8 and their tour guides are all so incredibly knowledgeable. They are on the higher end side, so they won't be the cheapest option, but trust me it's worth it. They often take you to smaller and off-the beaten track places that provide such an intimate environment (not to mention the best wine!). Plus, the food included in the tours is always great. You'll generally stop at 2-3 wineries across the day. Wine, lunch, and snacks included!
I personally went on their San Gimignano tour, which covered Chianti but also a small area of Tuscany thats actually known for whites. Plus, there is a stop in San Gimignano town to explore, which was perfect because there is not direct public transport to the town, but you can't miss their famous towers and the stories behind them.
-Italy on a Budget (~110 Euro):
If you are looking for something mid-range, my friend would recommend this Tuscany Wine Tour which stops at two different Chianti wineries and also includes a stop to San Gimignano.
-myTour (~50 Euro):
Ok, full disclosure, this one I have not tried and do not know anyone who has, but I wanted to provide a budget option! This half-day tour includes stops to two different wineries.
Cinque Terre
If you have the time, this region is worth a good 2-3 days at least! But if you only have one day, it is absolutely worth the effort to make it out there and explore. Just be aware there will be a lot of crowds if you're traveling in peak and shoulder seasons!
This grouping of five picturesque towns along the coast have everything you could want - great food, drinks, views, beaches, and hiking! It's also accessible from Florence without a car.
While all of the towns are certainly worth a stop, the most popular are Manarola, Riomaggiore, and Monterosso, with the latter being the best spot for hanging out at the beach if that is your vibe. You can take the train between towns, but I would actually recommend hiking between the towns at least one way. The trail will take you into hills behind the towns and you'll get the most amazing views of the areas that you'd miss otherwise. While it's not the most difficult hike, you should have some level of fitness to attempt. Note: closed-toed shoes are required along with a ticket purchase.
Option 1: Public Transport (~50 Euro)
I promise it is not as scary as it may seem! From the Florence train station, you'll hop on the train to La Spezia station. From there, you'll take the Cinque Terre Express, which connects La Spezia to all five costal towns. The journey will take around 2.5 hours one way, so start early! If you're planning multiple stops or to hike, purchase the Daily Adult Pass, which includes unlimited train rides as well as access to the park to hike.
Option 2: Transport Only (~75 Euro)
If figuring out the train isn't your thing, you can hop on a bus with a local tour company to take you directly to La Spezia station via bus, where you'll then jump on the Cinque Terre Express. Traveling through Cinque Terre is very difficult by car so they usually will not go directly to one of the towns, but the Cinque Terre Express only goes back and forth between La Spezia and the towns. Even if you are nervous to take the train, it's impossible to get lost and the route is very well marked.
Option 3: Full Tour (~115 Euro)
If you'd prefer not to deal with any logistics, you can opt for a guided day tour to Cinque Terre. The tour even has a hiking option that takes you on a shortened version between two of the towns for a taste of the route and great views! This is a larger group tour, which splits down to smaller groups upon arrival.
Pisa
Why not check out the famous leaning tower while in the area? Pisa is an easy train ride from Florence that takes between 50-110mins depending on the train you take and is very budget friend at around 10 Euro one-way. From the Pisa train station, you can take a lovely walk through town to the leaning tower and explore the cathedrals and museums nearby! Personally, a couple hours here was enough for me so I paired it with a stop in Lucca (more on that next) to make a full day.
Alternatively, you could jump on a guided tour! Full disclosure, I did not take this tour nor did friends/family, but it comes well rated!
Lucca
Have you ever walked on top of city walls? You can't miss a stop in this very unique town, which still has its walls surrounding the old town. Nowadays, you can actually climb up and walk around the full border of the town on top of the walls! It's a pretty cool experience. The town itself has a lot of great history, including a piazza converted from a Roman amphitheater. There are also lots of lovely churches to stop in and the shopping is great here! Definitely worth an afternoon. Luckily, you can take a train directly from Florence (~10 Euro one-way), or do as I did and do Florence -> Pisa -> Lucca -> Florence as a full day trip!
Or opt for a guided tour:
Sienna
Another lovely option for a day trip from Florence! Sienna also have a lovely duomo as well as countless other churches. They are also known for their rich tradition of arts and you can find wonderful museums and galleries in the city. At just ~11 Euro one-way, its an great day trip option!
San Gimignano
One of the most iconic skylines and unique towns in Tuscany, you won't want to miss out learning about San Gimignano's famous tours. The town also sits on top of a hill in the Tuscany region, so you'll be treated to some great views as well! The town can be reached by public transport, but there is no direct line and you'll have to transfer.
Alternatively, you could grab a tour and knock more than one town out in a day! Full disclosure, I did not take this tour nor did friends/family, but it comes well rated!
Rome and Other Major Cities
Would I recommend you try squeezing Rome or Milan in a day trip from Florence? No. But if there is something you absolutely must see *cough* Colosseum *cough*, the speed trains would make it possible.
Rome: The journey takes between 90-110 mins depending on the train and prices start around 45 Euros one-way.
Milan: The journey takes around 2 hours and prices start around 51 Euros one-way.
Bologna: The journey takes around 40 mins and prices star around 30 Euros one-way.
How to Prioritize
Just one woman's opinion, but if you have a limited amount of time, here is how I'd prioritize the stops:
If you have one day:
Opt for a wine tour, ideally one with a stop in San Gimignano!
If you have two days:
Add on a day in Cinque Terre.
If you have three days:Increase to two days in Cinque Terre or add on San Gimignano.
If you have four days:
Add on Pisa/Lucca or Sienna depending on your interests.
If you're also exploring Florence:
Check out my full Florence City Guide (also free)
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