Florence and Pisa Day Trip from La Spezia Cinque Terre

Florence's historic centre and the Duomo

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main sights stand close together: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's red-tiled dome, Giotto's slender bell tower and the Baptistery with its celebrated bronze doors. If you are wondering how to get to Florence from La Spezia in a single day, this coach does the journey in about two hours with no train changes.

With the guided option, a local guide leads you through the main squares in English; otherwise your host's advice and the city map help you plan your free time. Florence Duomo opening hours and the queues for the dome climb vary by season, so decide early what you want to go inside.

Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge across the Arno, with goldsmiths' and jewellers' workshops built into its sides, and it is one of the most photographed spots in Italy. Pause in the middle to look up and down the river, where the golden buildings reflect in the water, especially lovely in the soft light of late morning.

Piazza della Signoria is the civic heart of the city, dominated by the crenellated tower of Palazzo Vecchio and the open-air sculptures of the Loggia dei Lanzi. A replica of Michelangelo's David stands near the palace entrance. The best time to visit Florence for fewer crowds is spring or autumn, but the squares are rewarding in any season.

Michelangelo's David and the Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery in Florence holds the original David, Michelangelo's five-metre marble statue completed in 1504, which many travellers consider the finest sculpture of the Renaissance. Nearby are his unfinished figures, which show how he let the shapes emerge from the stone.

Accademia tickets are not part of any option on this page, and the gallery uses timed entries, so you would need to reserve separately in advance and allow around an hour inside. Time in Florence is limited, so most travellers choose either the gallery or a longer stroll through the centre. For art lovers, the David is worth the visit.

Pisa, the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower

In Pisa the highlight is the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles, a green lawn framed by the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Camposanto cemetery and the Leaning Tower, all in white marble and together a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tower is the cathedral's bell tower. Building began in 1173 and it started to lean while still unfinished because the soft ground gave way beneath it.

With the Leaning Tower option, your ticket lets you climb roughly 250 steps for a view over the square and the city; the climb is not open to children under 8, and entry is at a set time, so follow your host's instructions. Without it, you can still admire the tower, take the classic photographs and enjoy the square in the time you have.