Pisa’s most famous landmarks are all located in Piazza del Duomo, so a morning (if you go early) is perfect for this destination. Honestly, I was expecting something different from what I saw, so I’m glad I went with the idea of not staying overnight.
A fishing village in Cinque Terre, known for its typical colorful houses and beautiful landscapes that combine the countryside with the ocean. The weather wasn't spectacular the day I went, but in summer I highly recommend to stay there for at least one night to enjoy some nice days at the beach. It's really beautiful and there's a trekking (Sentiero Azzurro) that connects the five lands (Cinque Terre - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore). In two days, you can visit everything.
Pisa’s most famous landmarks are all located in Piazza del Duomo, so a morning (if you go early) is perfect for this destination. Honestly, I was expecting something different from what I saw, so I’m glad I went with the idea of not staying overnight.
A fishing village in Cinque Terre, known for its typical colorful houses and beautiful landscapes that combine the countryside with the ocean. The weather wasn't spectacular the day I went, but in summer I highly recommend to stay there for at least one night to enjoy some nice days at the beach. It's really beautiful and there's a trekking (Sentiero Azzurro) that connects the five lands (Cinque Terre - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore). In two days, you can visit everything.
I chose not to stay overnight in either Pisa or Cinque Terre, so I took the Flixbus from Florence (Villa Constanza) to Pisa and back at the same day. The ticket cost €7.99 one way and €7.49 return and the journey takes around 1h30.
To get to Villa Constanza from the centre of Florence, just take the T1.3 tram at Stazione Santa Maria Novella (scheduled every 7 minutes) which takes 25 minutes. Payment with Apple Pay/contactless and costs around €2.
Once you get to Pisa station, you are practically in the centre, just walk for around 10 minutes and you will see Pisa Tower.
After visiting Pisa, go to Pisa Centrale train station to catch the train to Riomaggiore. The journey takes around 1 hour and costs €16.80 one way. Just go to the ticket office and buy a ticket for the next time slot, which is usually quite frequent. Once you arrive in Riomaggiore, you´re right in the center. From there, everything is done on foot.
On the way back, the route is exactly the same, but in reverse. It is a long day, so I recommend that if you have time, stay here at least one night, to explore Cinque Terre in 2 days.
1. Antico Ristoro: great pizza slices for €1.30 (on the way between the bus station and Pisa Tower);
2. Piazza del Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli): Tower of Pisa, Duomo and Baptistery. Seeing this square from the outside is already charming (especially if you stop to see how many people are holding their hands up to take the typical photo), but if you want to go inside, here are the prices:
Full visit and climb Tower of Pisa: €27;
Visit without climbing the tower: €11;
Climbing just the tower: €20;
Visit the Baptistery, Camposanto, Opera del Duomo Museum or Sinopie Museum individually: €8;
Cathedral: free with the purchase of any other ticket.
3. Piazza dei Cavalieri: the second most important square in Pisa. There is Palazzo dell'Orologio, the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri and more... It is worth going, even if you don't want to go inside, just to see the facades;
4. Solferino Bridge: it joins the banks of the Arno River and has the best view of Santa Maria della Spina, a very pretty little church on the way to the train station;
5. Catch the train to Riomaggiore;
6. As soon as you leave the station, you will see the entrance to Via dell'Amore, a trail that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola, along a simply wonderful seaside path. It is only 1.5 km long and has few gradients, so it is perfect for a leisurely stroll. The entrance fee is €7.50;
7. In the opposite direction, you will see a small tunnel, which you will have to go through to reach the main area of Riomaggiore. If you turn left you´ll see the centre, full of little shops and restaurants, and if you go right you will find the marina, full of colourful houses;
8. Panoramic view of Riomaggiore, the port and fishing district: full of boats and colourful houses, it is a completely enchanting landscape. Explore the whole area, going into every corner and have an ice cream at Sottozero ice cream shop;
9. Centre (Via Colombo): stroll through the centre, see all the little shops, stop at a terrace and enjoy a lovely Italian meal. I ate at Veciu Muin and everything was great. There is also Miva, which is a takeaway restaurant serving fried fish cones, very popular in Cinque Terre. Go up to the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, a beautiful church;
10. Castello di Riomaggiore: the way there is beautiful, through narrow streets and with an incredible view. It opens at 10am, you pay €2 to enter and the view is absolutely wonderful.
- Pisa: Antico Ristoro (great pizza slices for €1.30);
- Pisa: Piazza del Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli: Tower of Pisa, Duomo and Bathysphere);
- Pisa: Piazza dei Cavalieri (the second most important square in Pisa);
- Pisa: Solferino Bridge (unite the River Arno banks and has the best view to Santa Maria della Spina);
- Take the train to Riomaggiore;
- Riomaggiore: Via dell´Amore (1.5km trail that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola);
- Riomaggiore: Panoramic view, port and fishermen's quarter;
- Riomaggiore: stroll along Via Colombo to Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista;
- Riomaggiore: Riomaggiore Castle.