Day trips from Florence are the ideal way to discover the amazing Tuscany

Distance from Florence: 1h 30 min by train or 2 hours by car.

Price: Around €7.50 (roughly £6.40) for a hiking Cinque Terre card, €18.50 (approximately £15.80) for a train and hiking card.

What to wear: Good shoes if you plan on hiking between the towns.

Expert Tip: The Cinque Terre Card allows you to access the trails between the towns and use the public buses. You can also buy a card that lets you use the trains for free.

The smallest national park in Italy, each of Cinque Terre’s gorgeous villages can be visited in just one day. Monterosso al Mare is the spot to relax on the beach or explore the shops along the promenade. Head to Vernazza where you can watch boats coming into the harbour before hiking over to Corniglia. Here, climb up La Torre to get stunning views of the coast and grab lunch at Food and Sea Trattoria. Finish up in Manarola. Here, you can grab some souvenirs at the shops along Via Renato Birolli and visit the stunning Church of San Lorenzo.

Distance from Florence: 1h 30min by train or 1h 30min by car.

Price: Between €25-60 (around £17-51) for the private beaches.

What to wear or bring with you: Swimwear and beach gear if you’re using a public beach.

Expert Tip: Il Porto is a lovely restaurant for lunch or dinner that offers beautiful views of the harbour.

Viareggio is home to long beaches with soft, golden sand drawing tourists for decades. Most beaches are private, and you’ll need to pay to enter and get a sun lounger and an umbrella. You can also find public beaches towards the southern end of the coast. The Margherita Walk along Viareggio’s promenade is the best place to take in its Art Deco and Art Nouveau architecture, as well as top attractions like the Mazzini Square and the Palace of the Muses. This street is also where the bulk of Viareggio’s yearly Carnivale parade is hosted.

Distance from Florence: 2h 20min by train or 1h 25min by car.

Price: Between €75-100 (about £64-86) for the beach clubs.

What to bring with you: A picnic lunch can be a great option, just check that the beach you’re visiting allows it.

Expert Tip: If you’re visiting during the peak season, consider booking a spot at a beach club in advance. You can usually do this over the phone or online.

Like Viareggio, Forte Dei Marmi’s beaches are mostly private. You can relax in your own private cabana or on a lounger under an umbrella. At the northern edge of town, you’ll also find a lovely public beach, usually with a lifeguard on duty. If you visit on a Wednesday, you can visit the street market at Piazza Marconi between 08:00 to 13:30. You’ll also find plenty of high-end stores representing both Italian and international brands along the promenade. In between, stop off at Gelateria da Sante for a refreshing scoop of gelato.

Distance from Florence: 1h 15min by train or 1h 25min by car.

Price: Around €18 (about £15.40) to climb up the tower.

What to wear or bring with you: If you plan on wearing something with bare shoulders, bring a scarf to cover up for the Cathedral.

Expert Tip: Spots for climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa are limited, so book online in advance.

If you come to Tuscany, don’t leave without at least taking a quick look at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. But once you’ve taken it in (and perhaps taken the classic picture to make it look like you’re propping it up), there’s plenty more to see in this beautiful Tuscan town. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and The Baptistery are Pisa’s other main architectural attractions and both are close to the Tower. If you have time, take a leisurely walk along the River Arno and get a drink or something to eat at Arnovivo.

Distance from Florence: 1h 15min by bus or 1h 10min by car.

Expert Tip: Get dinner in a unique atmosphere at La Taverna di San Giuseppe, located inside a beautiful Etruscan cellar.

Many of Siena’s top attractions are concentrated around the Piazza Del Duomo and the Cathedral it’s named for. The Duomo di Siena is just as stunning on the outside as it is on the inside, in particular its detailed stained-glass window and marble mosaic floor. Inside the Duomo, you can also visit the Piccolomini Library, which is covered from head to toe in beautiful frescoes dating back to the 14th century. The Baptistery and Opera Del Duomo Museum are also well worth a visit. At the top of the Torre del Mangia, you can end your day trip to Siena by getting an excellent view out over the city.

Distance from Florence: 40 minutes by train or 1h 35min by car.

What to bring with you: A reusable shopping bag for the souvenirs and produce you’ll buy.

Expert Tip: You can get delicious fresh pasta to take back to Florence at Le Sfogline.

Bologna is one of the fastest day trips from Florence by train. Start your trip with a visit to the Basilica of San Petronio (Petronio is Bologna’s patron saint) and Neptune’s Fountain in the Piazza Maggiore. You can find delicious food all over Italy, but Bologna is one of its best culinary destinations. Take a walk down Via Drapperie and the Quadrilatero area and stop in at the stores selling cheese, cured meats and other local produce. Head into a Salumerias to have a quick light lunch and a glass of wine, Salumeria Simoni is one of the best. If you don’t mind the 498 steps, climbing up the Torre Asinelli is the best way to get an incredible view over the city.

Distance from Florence: 2h 15min by train or 3 hours by car.

What to wear: Waterproof shoes are a good idea given the potential for water on the streets during ‘acqua alta’.

Expert Tip: The city of Venice is looking to reduce over-tourism by introducing a booking system for day trippers visiting the city. It will cost between €3 to €10 and is set to be introduced in 2023.

A Florence to Venice day trip is easiest by train and you’ll arrive at the Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia. From here, you can walk along the canal (or catch a public waterbus) to the Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art, before continuing around to the Rialto Bridge. Cross the bridge and make your way down to the famous Saint Mark’s Square. Here you can visit the Basilica di San Marco and the breathtaking Palazzo Ducale. Grab a relaxed lunch at Rio Novo, which has outdoor seating along the canal. If you need more tips or are planning a longer stay in Venice, check out our guide to the city.

Distance from Florence: You’ll meet your guide in Florence.

Price: Around €35 (roughly £30).

What to wear or bring with you: Swimwear, a towel and flip flops or other shoes that can get wet. Firenze Rafting provides waterproof bags for phones and cameras.

Expert Tip: If you’re looking for some on-land adventure, they also offer trekking tours through mediaeval villages and the Tuscan countryside.

Enjoy a fast-paced adventure down the Lima River with Firenze Rafting. They offer both group rafts and single-seater pack rafting tours run by certified instructors and you don’t need any prior experience. They also have a calmer experience, where you take a raft down the River Arno in Florence and you can see attractions like the Ponte Vecchio from a new angle.

Distance from Florence: 50 minutes by car.

Price: Guided tours start at €28 (about £24).

What to wear or bring with you: A hat, walking shoes and comfortable clothes

Expert Tip: Situated between Florence and Siena, you could combine this vineyard with a Florence to Siena day trip.

Head to Castello di Verrazzano to take a tour of the vineyard and learn about the history of the castle overlooking it. You’ll get the chance to taste their wines and other grape products. The tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable and you’ll get the chance to purchase products at the end.

Distance from Florence: 40 minutes by car.

Price: Wine tours start at €220 (about £188).

What to wear or bring with you: A hat, walking shoes and comfortable clothes

Expert Tip: While it does make an excellent day trip, Castello Nipozzano also offers overnight stays tailored to individual tastes.

Another excellent vineyard near Florence is Castello Nipozzano. A beautiful historic property owned by the Frescobaldi family, they offer tours and tastings. The vineyards and olive groves were founded over 1,000 years ago, and this is the vineyard to visit if you’re also interested in learning about olive oil production.

Distance from Florence: 1 hour by train or 1h 30min by car.

What to wear or bring with you: A hat, walking shoes and comfortable clothes and suncream

Expert Tip: Don’t skip Gelateria Veneta. Their fruit flavours are particularly popular.

Lucca is a lovely, calm city near Florence. Spend some time walking along the well-preserved city walls before heading to the Piazza Napoleone, the main square in Lucca, where you’ll find the town’s own Palazzo Ducale. The car-free city centre keeps it quiet and safe for kids who might want to run ahead and explore. Lucca also has a number of children’s playgrounds, and the flat streets make it easy for families with strollers.

1. Take the train from Florence at 08:30

• 40 minutes on the train

2. Arrive at Bologna

3. Climb up the Torre Asinelli

• 5-minute walk

4. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Salumeria Simoni

5. Explore the Quadrilatero

• 5-minute walk

6. Visit the Basilica of San Petronio

7. Have a drink at Caffè del Mercato

• Take the train back to Florence

8. Arrive at 22:00 in Florence