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Villages of Cinque Terre
La Spezia Shore Trip - Charming Villages of the Cinque Terre
 

This full day La Spezia shore excursion, with a private guide, visits the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Cinque Terre by vehicle, train, and boat. Stops include Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare, three of the five cliffside villages that make up the Cinque Terre National Park. English speaking guide, the Cinque Terre Card is included for park and footpath entry. 8 hours.

8 hours (private)
private ship excursion
licensed guide
english speaking expert
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
ship pick up
meet at cruise port terminal
  • Pick up from the Port of La Spezia
  • Private English Speaking Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation via Vehicle, Train or Boat
  • The "Cinque Terre Card" (park and footpath entrance)
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number: ILASP-05


Group Size (Prices in USD)*: 		2 People - $650 Per Person
3 People - $460 Per Person
4 People - $358 Per Person
5 People - $294 Per Person
6 People - $254 Per Person
7 People - $408 Per Person
8 People - $364 Per Person



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Cinque Terre Villages Shore Excursion from La Spezia

This full day La Spezia shore trip visits the Cinque Terre, one of Italy's most striking stretches of coastline. You travel by vehicle, train, and boat between some of the most photographed villages in Italy, part of the Cinque Terre National Park and, together with nearby Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape since 1997.

The Cinque Terre, or Five Lands, takes its name from five villages tucked into small inlets or perched on rocky cliffs along about 10 miles of protected coastline: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Corniglia sits roughly 100 meters above the sea and is reached only by a 382 step staircase or a shuttle bus, so it is not included on this tour. Until roughly a century ago these villages had no road access at all and could be reached only by boat, footpath, or the coastal railway; residents adapted by building upward into the cliffs and cutting vineyard and olive terraces into the steep hillsides, a way of life that still shapes the villages today.

After meeting your guide and driving to the Cinque Terre, your first stop is the village of Manarola, where you take a walk past its small fisherman's harbor. Next you board a boat, weather permitting, or the train, and continue to Vernazza. In Vernazza you have free time to explore the shops and have lunch (meal not included) around its small natural harbor. Later in the afternoon you take another boat, or the train, to Monterosso al Mare. After a short walk you have free time again to explore; consider sampling the local lemon liqueur or visiting one of the wine tasting rooms. From Monterosso you walk to the nearby car park, where your vehicle is waiting to take you back to La Spezia.

Please note
  • Mobility: This tour involves steps and uneven terrain, and is not suitable for wheelchair users. Plan on walking approximately 10 miles (16km) over hills and uneven ground; comfortable, supportive shoes are strongly recommended.

What's Included

Included

  • Pick up from the Port of La Spezia
  • Private English Speaking Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation via Vehicle, Train or Boat
  • The "Cinque Terre Card" (park and footpath entrance)

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    30 Minutes(traffic pending)
    Drive to Manarola
  • 2
    1.5 Hours
    Visit Manarola
  • 3
    30 Minutes
    Boat or Train to Vernazza
  • 4
    2.5 Hours
    Visit Vernazza and free time for Lunch
  • 5
    30 Minutes
    Train or Boat to Monterosso
  • 6
    1.5 Hours
    Visit Monterosso
  • 7
    1 Hour (traffic pending)
    Drive to La Spezia

Resources

Cinque Terre National Park - Official Site. Official park authority covering all five Cinque Terre villages Official Website

Port of La Spezia - Official Passenger Port. Departure and return point for this tour, La Spezia cruise terminal Official Website

Good to Know

Mobility
This tour involves steps and uneven terrain that make it unsuitable for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns, contact us and we can discuss alternatives.
Walking
Plan on walking approximately 10 mile over some hills and uneven ground. Comfortable, supportive shoes are strongly recommended.
Customizable
This tour can be adjusted to fit your group’s pace and interests. If you’d like to spend more time at a particular site or add a stop, contact us when you inquire.
Larger Groups
For groups that need a minibus or full coach, contact us for a custom quote. We accommodate groups of any size.

Most Popular Tours from La Spezia Tours & Excursions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this tour only visit 3 of the 5 Cinque Terre villages?
Corniglia is the one Cinque Terre village not directly on the water, set about 100 meters above sea level and reached only by a 382 step staircase or a local shuttle bus, and Riomaggiore sits at the opposite end of the coastline from the other stops on this route. This itinerary focuses on Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare so you can move between villages by train and boat without rushing.
Is Cinque Terre a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto were inscribed together as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape in 1997, recognized for centuries of terraced cultivation and villages built directly into the cliffs.
How much walking is involved in this tour?
Plan on walking approximately 10 miles (16km) over the course of the day, including hills, steps, and uneven terrain between the harbor, train stations, and village centers. Comfortable, supportive shoes are strongly recommended.
Where do we meet our driver or guide in La Spezia?
Cruise Ship: Once you disembark at La Spezia, head to the terminal's main public exit. If there's a terminal building, walk through the arrivals area to the public pickup zone outside -- cruise staff can point you the right way. No terminal building means your driver will already be waiting dockside as you disembark. Don't see your contact right away? Stay near your exit point and call the local dispatch number from your confirmation. Hotel: Your driver or guide will be waiting either just outside the main entrance or inside the lobby, sign in hand with your group's name. Airport: Once you've collected your luggage and cleared customs, head into the arrivals hall -- your driver or guide will be there holding a sign with your group name.
Are entrance fees included in La Spezia tours, and are they refundable?Is there a Back-to-Ship Guarantee if this runs long?
Yes. Every Private Shore Trips excursion returning at least 1.5 hours before your ship's departure is covered by our Back-to-Ship Guarantee.
Can we customize the itinerary on our La Spezia shore excursion?
Flexibility is one of the real perks of a private La Spezia tour. Let your driver or guide know about a must-see spot right at pickup, and they'll try to make it happen -- though traffic and scheduling sometimes cap what's possible. Either way, they'll keep the day as tailored as they can.

Also Available:

›Florence and Pisa - for a full day of Renaissance art and architecture instead of a coastal hiking day.
›Highlights of Florence - prefer a museum day, this tour spends the day in Florence with VIP entry to the Uffizi or the Accademia.
›Pisa and Lucca - for two walkable Tuscan towns rather than the coast, pairing Pisa's Leaning Tower with Lucca's city walls.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

Book With Confidence

Back-to-Ship Guarantee
Guest Reviews
Group & Custom Requests
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Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Drive to Manarola - 30 Minutes(traffic pending)
  • Visit Manarola - 1.5 Hours
  • Boat or Train to Vernazza - 30 Minutes
  • Visit Vernazza and free time for Lunch - 2.5 Hours
  • Train or Boat to Monterosso - 30 Minutes
  • Visit Monterosso - 1.5 Hours
  • Drive to La Spezia - 1 Hour (traffic pending)

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 16 Write a review »

  5 of 5 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Spezia June 21, 2026
Reviewer: Sue Q from Allison Park, PA  
Cinque Terre was beautiful although there was not a possibility of any boat views as tickets for the train had already been purchased. No mention as to the boat which was a possibility as you mentioned. The trains were convenient and we did a short hike up the trail for beautiful views. The tour was fantastic and our guide was lovely. The only problem though no ones fault is that 11 of us were stuck in an elevator for 40 minutes in the extreme heat! The Italian police and emergency response team were absolutely no help. Fortunately my husband and a few others went to the top and we were able to open the door one inch to allow for air. If that did not happen Im not sure we would have made it. When the Italian police got there to open the door they only took pictures of us! Ridiculous! Our lovely guide (who was in the elevator with us) was able to have the vans come to us to transport us back to the ship. Our guide did what she could under the circumstances and we tipped her well for the day as Im sure she did not expect the day to be so chaotic.

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  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Spezia May 13, 2026
Reviewer: Bob S from Vestavia, AL  
Ken Diaz the Group Reservation Manager of Private Shore Trips organized an amazing set of tourstransportation events for our group of 42 friends and family in MULTIPLE countries! Yes Italy, Greece & Turkey!! Or tour guides provided excellent connections with the entire group and gave a dissertation on the history of each location we visited. We had teachers in our group and they were impressed with the tour guides that says a lot!

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Spezia May 12, 2026
Reviewer: Gerri A, Sea Dreams Travel from Saint Cloud, MN  
Thank you and I will use you again. I will also let my host agency know how great you are to work with.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Spezia March 5, 2026
Reviewer: Travel Agent Debbie R from Berkshire Travel Agency - Wyomissing, PA  
Just read an email. Patrick said all tours superb! Thank you!

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Spezia November 16, 2025
Reviewer: JANE M from Colorado Sprints, CO  
The Pisa & Lucca excursion was great.  Glad that we went to Pisa first. Our daughter and her family took the ships excursion to Pisa and Florence.  We ran into them in Pisa!  They did not have time to visit any buildings on the Field of Miracles but we did.  Good decision to avoid Florence.

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