Comparison · Cinque Terre vs Florence · Italy
Cinque Terre vs Florence
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cinque Terre for Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro, beaches and free sights; choose Florence for Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and nightlife. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 130 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 130 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Cinque Terre
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Florence
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Cinque Terre | Florence | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro and Pesto | Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and Michelangelo's David |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 11°C (52°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | Fegina, Monterosso | — |
| Airports | PSA, GOA, FLR | FLR, PSA, BLQ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cinque Terre for…
Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro, beaches and free sights. The Cinque Terre are five villages — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — strung along a short, steep stretch of the Ligurian coast between Levanto and La Spezia. Inscribed by UNESCO in 1997 together with Porto Venere and its…
Choose Florence for…
Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and nightlife. Florence fits the Duomo, the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and the Ponte Vecchio into a historic centre you can cross on foot in about 25 minutes. Most visitors stay between Santa Maria Novella station and Santa Croce, with the Oltrarno across the Arno for…
Top sights compared
| # | Cinque Terre | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernazza harbour | Florence Cathedral (Duomo) |
| 2 | Manarola and Punta Bonfiglio | Uffizi Gallery |
| 3 | Riomaggiore | Galleria dell'Accademia |
| 4 | Monterosso old town and Fegina | Ponte Vecchio |
| 5 | Corniglia and the Lardarina | Piazzale Michelangelo |
Food compared
| Cinque Terre | Florence |
|---|---|
| Trofie al pesto | Bistecca alla fiorentina |
| Focaccia | Lampredotto |
| Monterosso anchovies | Ribollita |
| Farinata | Schiacciata |
Which is cheaper?
Cinque Terre and Florence cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Cinque Terre and $180–$320 in Florence (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cinque Terre on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cinque Terre and Florence are about 130 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Cinque Terre and 4 in Florence.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cinque Terre or Florence cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Cinque Terre and $180–$320 in Florence (estimates).
+Is Cinque Terre or Florence better for a first trip?
Pick Cinque Terre for Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro, beaches and free sights, or Florence for Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and nightlife.
+How far is Cinque Terre from Florence?
About 130 km in a straight line.