Manarola
Following the masterpieces of art and architecture in the Tuscan capital, travel to the Ligurian coast for equally breathtaking land and seascapes. The following is a comprehensive guide to taking the train from Florence to Cinque Terre-Manarola. The postcard-perfect fishing villages, dramatic coastal cliffs, and scenic hiking trails of Italy's Cinque Terre have made it a popular tourist destination. Although this journey can be done as a day trip from Florence, it is best to stay at least overnight to truly explore the area and do any hiking. The train is the best way to get there no matter how long you stay.
One of the Cinque Terre villages, Manarola, is only 111 miles (179 kilometers) from Florence. The short distance between the towns leads visitors to believe that driving between the towns is the best option, but driving to and around the Cinque Terre is complicated by both the mountainous terrain and the small size of the towns, which are largely closed to vehicles. It is far more convenient to take the train directly from Florence's center to Manarola's center.
There are approximately 11 trains per day from Florence to Manarola, the second smallest of the Cinque Terre towns. Because Manarola is so small, there are no direct trains to its two-track station overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly all trains are Regionale for part or all of the journey. Because Manarola is on the local line that runs from La Spezia, all trains from Florence require at least one change of train. Some trains make two stops, usually in Pisa or, more rarely, in Florence's Campo di Marte station, and then in La Spezia. Make sure to double-check your itinerary to ensure that you connect at the correct station. The trip takes 2.5-3.5 hours, and tickets range from $20 to $28. Also, try to sit on the left side of the train from La Spezia to get the best views of the sea along the route that follows the coast. Remember that weekends and holidays often result in less frequent service and, on occasion, longer travel times.
Location: Italy
Significant train routes:
- Manarola to La Spezia Centrale - 7 mins
- Manarola to Monterosso - 11 mins
- Manarola to Florence - 1h52 mins
- Manarola to Riomaggiore - 2 mins
