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Cinque Terre & Tuscany

Discover the most enchanting train route through Italy

Along this route, you'll discover two of the most captivating and iconic Italian regions. Cinque Terre and Tuscany represent both the beauty of the country and the Mediterranean spirit.

  • Start your trip in Milan and Parma on your way to La Spezia, the doorway to the charming villages of Cinque Terre.

  • Settle in Genova, to take a day trip to Portofino, a luxurious village on the Italian Riviera.

  • Finish your itinerary travelling through Tuscany to historic locations Pisa and Florence.


Travel by train for 8 days; enjoy your trip for much longer!

 

Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner.

Cities visited in this trip:

 

1. Milan

2. Parma

3. La Spezia

4. Manarola

5. Genoa

6. Portofino

7. Pisa

8. Florence

 

For this itinerary, we recommend:

  • Interrail Pass: Italy Pass
  • Travel days: 8 days within 1 month

1. Milan, Italy

Milan is the image of Italian class and elegance and offers some of Europe's best shopping, plus much more.

  • Visit Leonardo da Vinci's 15th-century mural The Last Supper, in Santa Maria delle Grazie.

  • Explore the magnificent Milan Cathedral - swoon at the Gothic architecture and marvel at its intricate pieces of art.

  • Wear your new Italian glamorous clothes for an opera evening at Teatro Alla Scala.

  • ​Experience the Italian night scene. Camouflage yourself between locals at the bars along the streets of Brera.

Reach Milan Cathedral from Milano Centrale Railway Station in 12 minutes, by taking metro 3 (San Donato) to Duomo M3.
Cathedral of Milan, Gothic Duomo

From Milan to Parma

Travel time:

1h27m

Transfer:

0

  • Milan, Italy

    Milano Centrale

  • 1h 27m
  • Parma, Italy

    Parma Stazione

2. Parma, Italy

Parma, with its parmigiano and prosciutto, made the Italian kitchen famous around the world. Parma's museums, churches and charming historic lanes are perfect entertainment to whet your appetite.

  • Visit Parma Cathedral, an attractive and venerable cathedral built in a Romanesque style.

  • Explore the Palazzo della Pilotta, a 16th-century 'addition' to the grand palace of the ruling Farnese family.

  • Visit La Steccata, one of Parma's finest Renaissance churches. Marvel at the imposing tombs and Italian frescoes.

You can take bus number 1 from Parma railway station to get to Parma's cathedral in just 7 minutes.
Cathedral of Parma, Emilia-Romagna

From Parma to La Spezia

Travel time:

1h54m

Transfer:

0

  • Parma, Italy

    Parma Stazione

  • 1h 54m
  • La Spezia, Italy

    La Spezia Centrale

3. La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia is the doorway to the "Five Lands" (Cinque Terre). Along the northwest Italian coast, you'll find the five picturesque fishing villages Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia.

  • Enjoy the food markets - La Spezia offers local food at low prices.

  • Indulge in an Italian ice cream while enjoying the special landscape and picturesque Tower Houses of Porto Venere.

  • Spend a day hiking along the cliff-side trails that connect the villages. The breathtaking scenery will make you wish you were staying longer.

Take a 30-minutes bus to Porto Venere to see the Tower Houses. Bus P departs from the centre of La Spezia.
Traditional boats at porto venere harbor of la spezia

From La Spezia to Manarola

Travel time:

0h17m

Transfer:

0

  • La Spezia, Italy

    La Spezia Centrale

  • 0h 17m
  • Manarola, Italy

    Manarola

4. Manarola, Italy

Manarola and the 4 other fishing villages of Cinque Terre will captivate you with their stunning scenery and authenticity.

  • Enjoy the taste of Manarola from the freshest fish to the especially renowned local wine.

  • Delight in the Mediterranean Sea while exploring each of the Five Lands.

  • Hike through the walking trail, Via dell'Amore, to Riomaggiore. Get lost among the hills and vineyards above the town.

The railway station of Manarola is a 5-minute walk from the village. Taking an 11-minute ride to La Spezia, you'll find a wide variety of train options.
Manarola at night cinque terre northern italy

From La Spezia to Genoa

Travel time:

1h21m

Transfer:

0

  • La Spezia, Italy

    La Spezia Centrale

  • 1h 21m
  • Genoa, Italy

    Genova Brignole

5. Genoa, Italy

Genoa is a good starting point for a tour along the Italian Riviera. The city is linked by rail to most of the region's coastal destinations allowing you to enjoy one day-long adventure.

  • Visit the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, built in the 1100s and completed with a Renaissance dome in 1557.

  • Visit Piazza Matteotti, the highlight of which is the Jesuit church of Santi Ambrogio e Andrea.

  • Walk through Soprana gate (Porta Soprana) and Columbus's House (Casa di Colombo).

From Genoa Piazza Principe railway station, you can walk through Via di Prè to get to Via Garibaldi, the historical centre of Genoa well known for its palaces.
Giardini Francesco Coco Columbu's ships in flowers

From Genoa to Portofino

Travel time:

1h10m

Transfer:

1

  • Genoa, Italy

    Genova Piazza Principe

  • 0h 53m
  • Portofino, Italy

    Santa Margherita Ligure Portofino

  • 0h 17m
  • Portofino, Italy

    Portofino Capolinea

6. Portofino, Italy

Portofino is a village of contrasts, mixing the traditional fishing spirit with a modern luxurious atmosphere. One of the highlights of the Italian Riviera, it's perfect for a relaxing day trip.

  • Treat yourself to Italian gelato while having a walk down the picturesque narrow streets to Portofino's glamorous harbour.

  • Take the steps up to San Giorgio's church and follow the path to Portofino Lighthouse for a marvellous view.

You can take a direct train from Genoa to Santa Margherita Ligure Portofino, then bus 82 to Portofino Capolinea. All in under 2 hours.
Girl walking the streets of Portofino Genova

From Genoa to Pisa

Travel time:

2h33m

Transfer:

0

  • Genoa, Italy

    Genova Piazza Principe

  • 2h 33m
  • Pisa, Italy

    Pisa Centrale

7. Pisa, Italy

Pisa is well known for its famous architectural masterpiece, the Leaning Tower. Head to Campo dei Miracoli and enjoy Pisa's principal tourist attractions.

  • Visit the Leaning Tower (Torre Pendente di Pisa), known worldwide for its unintended tilt.

  • Take a look at the imposing Pisa Cathedral, a large striped Romanesque baptistery.

  • Explore Camposanto, a cloistered cemetery said to have been laid with earth brought by crusaders from the Holy Land.

You can reach Pisa's principal tourist attractions by taking a 15-minute bus ride from Pisa Central Station to Pisa Piazza Manin.
Leaning tower of Pisa

From Pisa to Florence

Travel time:

0h48m

Transfer:

0

  • Pisa, Italy

    Pisa Centrale

  • 0h 48m
  • Florence, Italy

    Firenze S.M.N.

8. Florence, Italy

Florence (Firenze), the birthplace of the Renaissance, will enchant you whether you're an art lover, a history buff or just a curious adventurer.

  • Visit Michelangelo's Statue of David in Galleria dell'Accademia, one of the most recognised sculptures on the planet.

  • Walk through Florence Cathedral (il Duomo) and climb the 463 steps up to the top for a panoramic vista of the city.

  • Walk to San Miniato al Monte above Florence and enjoy the beautiful view at sunset.

You can walk from Firenze SMN railway station to Florence Cathedral. You'll be there in 12 minutes through Via Panzani.
View of Florence Cathedral from the Campanile Tower at early evening

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