Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port | Private Driver & Guide Service
- Fixed Price : 110€
- Pickup at your ship
- Return guaranteed

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Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port - Pick-Up at Your Ship

Yes, you can see Florence in one day from La Spezia cruise port. Your driver meets you at the terminal exit at 8:00 AM, you stop in Pisa on the way for the Leaning Tower, and you spend about five hours in Florence: the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and the Central Market. Florence is 150 km from the port, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes by motorway. You are back at your ship by 5:00 PM, well before departure. That return is guaranteed in writing.

Transfer from Civitavecchia Port to Rome

📋 Book online

Choose your date, number of passengers.

You will receive your driver’s name, and direct WhatsApp number 24 hours before your excursion.

Transfer from Civitavecchia Port to Rome

🚗 Your driver meets you at the ship

At 8:00 AM, your driver is waiting at the terminal exit with a sign bearing your name, approximately 80 metres from the gangway. No taxi rank to find, no phone calls, no waiting in shuttle queues.

Shore Excursion from La Spezia To Florence

🏛️ A full day exploring Pisa & Florence with your driver

This is not just a transfer from La Spezia port to Florence. Your driver takes you through Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli, the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio, at your pace, in your language, with free time at every stop.

Transfer from Civitavecchia Port to Rome

⚓ Guaranteed return to port

At 3:45 PM, you leave Florence for La Spezia. You are back at your ship by 5:00 PM, at least one hour before departure. That is our commitment, and we have never missed it.

Expert local guides | Private comfortable vehicles | Flexible itineraries | Return on board guaranteed

Florence sits 150 km inland from La Spezia, and that distance is exactly why most cruise passengers hesitate. Too far for a taxi, too risky on the train when your ship leaves at 6:00 PM. This excursion exists to remove that hesitation.
 
Your day starts at the cruise terminal. Your driver waits at the exit with a sign bearing your name, about 80 metres from the gangway. You received his name, photo and direct WhatsApp number the evening before, so there is nothing to find and nobody to call.
 
The vehicle is a private, air-conditioned Mercedes van with WiFi and bottled water on board.
Book My Shore Excursion To Florence
Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port
Mercedes Van - Shore excursion Florance from LA Spezia
Mercedes Van - Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port
Mercedes Van - Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port
Mercedes Van - Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port
Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

Book My Shore Excursion To Florence

Your Full-Day Itinerary - Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

8:00 AM – Pickup at the foot of your ship, La Spezia cruise terminal Your ship docks, you walk off, your driver is already there. Luggage can stay in the van all day.
 
8:15 AM – Departure toward Tuscany The drive to Pisa takes about one hour via the A12 motorway. The road follows the Ligurian coast before turning inland through the marble country of Carrara. On clear days you can see the white quarries in the mountains to your left.
 
9:15 AM – Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli (45 minutes) First stop of the day. The Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery stand on the same lawn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. You have time to walk the square, take the classic photo holding up the tower, and visit the Cathedral interior if the queue is short. Climbing the Tower itself is not included: the visit takes 30 minutes with timed tickets and rarely fits a cruise schedule.
 
10:15 AM – Drive to Florence (about 1 hour)
 
11:15 AM – Piazzale Michelangelo (20 minutes) Your driver climbs the hill south of the Arno before entering the historic centre, where vans cannot circulate freely. From this terrace you get the full view: the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the river and the rooftops. This is the postcard shot of Florence.
 
11:45 AM – The Duomo complex (45 minutes) Santa Maria del Fiore, with Brunelleschi’s dome, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Your driver-guide tells you where to stand for the best angle and how the dome was built between 1420 and 1436 without scaffolding from the ground up. Entry to the Cathedral is free; the dome climb requires advance tickets and two hours, so it stays for your next trip.
 
12:30 PM – Lunch break at the Central Market area (1 hour, optional) Piazza del Mercato Centrale, five minutes on foot from the Duomo. The ground floor is a working food market, the upper floor hosts about twenty stalls cooking Tuscan dishes to order. A plate of fresh pasta costs around €10 to €14. If you prefer a sit-down trattoria, your driver books one for you on the way in the morning.
 
1:30 PM – Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi courtyard (45 minutes) The political heart of Florence since 1299. Palazzo Vecchio, the copy of Michelangelo’s David standing where the original stood until 1873, and the Loggia dei Lanzi with its open-air sculptures. You then walk through the Uffizi courtyard toward the river.
 
2:15 PM – Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno (45 minutes) The only bridge in Florence that survived the Second World War, lined with goldsmith shops since 1593. Cross it, walk a few metres into the Oltrarno for a gelato, and come back for the view of the bridge from the riverside.
 
3:00 PM – Free time or Accademia option Two choices. Either an hour of free time for shopping around Via de’ Tornabuoni and the leather market, or a pre-booked skip-the-line visit of the Accademia Gallery to see the real David (supplement, closed on Mondays, must be requested at booking).
 
3:45 PM – Departure back to La Spezia
 
5:00 PM – Arrival at the port, on board before departure The return drive takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. You arrive at the terminal at least one hour before your ship’s departure. We have run this route since 2001 and we have never left a passenger behind. If a delay ever threatened your ship, our contract commits us to cover your transport to the next port of call.
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Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

Book My Shore Excursion To Florence

What's Included in Your Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

Included:
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver for the full day
  • Pickup and drop-off directly at the cruise terminal
  • Photo stops at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Piazzale Michelangelo
  • Bottled water and WiFi on board
  • Guaranteed return to your ship before departure
Not included:
  • Lunch (budget €10 to €25 per person depending on your choice)
  • Entrance tickets to museums and monuments
  • Accademia Gallery option (price on request, closed Mondays)
  • A licensed walking guide in Florence (available as an add-on, 2 or 3 hours)
Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia

Private vs. Shared Shore Excursion – Which Is Right for You?

 Our private excursionTrain on your ownCruise line excursion
Price per personFrom €110About €45 plus local transport€160 and up
Pickup at the shipYesNo, shuttle to the stationYes
Pisa stop includedYesRequires a second trainRarely
Time in FlorenceAbout 5 hoursAbout 3 hoursAbout 4 hours
Group sizeYour party onlyYour party only40 to 50 people
Return guaranteedWritten guaranteeYour own riskYes
Itinerary flexibleYesYesNo

The train is a fair option if your budget is tight and you know Italian rail. Two facts to keep in mind: La Spezia Centrale station is 2 km from the cruise terminal, and most connections to Florence require a change in Pisa.

A single delay on the return leg puts your ship at risk, and the cruise line will not wait for independent travellers.

Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port

Your ship only gives you one day in Tuscany. Spend it in Florence, with a driver who knows the road and a return time that is guaranteed, not hoped for.

Book My Shore Excursion To Florence

Florence or Cinque Terre?

La Spezia is also the gateway to the Cinque Terre, five villages 15 minutes away by local train. Choose the Cinque Terre if you want coastal scenery, short hikes and a slow day. Choose Florence if art and Renaissance history matter more to you, or if this is your one chance to see Tuscany’s capital. Many of our guests do Florence on a first call at La Spezia and the Cinque Terre on a second.

Ponte Vecchio on a Florence shore excursion from La Spezia

Upcoming Cruise Ships at La Spezia – September 2026 to February 2027

If your ship is on this list, we already know its port call and can plan your Florence or Cinque Terre excursion around it, regardless of your cruise line.

DateShipCruise Line
10 SeptSirenaOceania
11 SeptCelebrity ConstellationCelebrity
12 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
14 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
14 SeptQueen VictoriaCunard
16 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
17 SeptLegend of the SeasRoyal Caribbean
18 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
18 SeptMein Schiff 6TUI Cruises
19 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
19 SeptSun PrincessPrincess
20 SeptLegend of the SeasRoyal Caribbean
21 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
22 SeptCelebrity EquinoxCelebrity
23 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
24 SeptMein Schiff FlowTUI Cruises
24 SeptLegend of the SeasRoyal Caribbean
25 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
25 SeptMein Schiff FlowTUI Cruises
26 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
28 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
30 SeptSirenaOceania
30 SeptMSC GrandiosaMSC
2 OctCelebrity XcelCelebrity
2 OctAIDAcosmaAIDA
8 NovMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
12 NovMSC World EuropaMSC
13 NovMSC World EuropaMSC
14 NovMSC World EuropaMSC
22 NovMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
26 NovAIDAcosmaAIDA
28 NovAzamara OnwardAzamara
2 DecSirenaOceania
13 DecMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
20 DecAIDAmarAIDA
21 DecSirenaOceania
27 DecMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
3 JanMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
3 JanAIDAmarAIDA
10 JanMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
17 JanMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
24 JanMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
7 FebMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
14 FebMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises
21 FebMein Schiff 4TUI Cruises

Last updated: 06/09/2026. Schedule based on public port planning data and subject to change by cruise lines. Don’t see your ship, or traveling on a later date? Contact us directly – we confirm your exact port call schedule when you book.

Contact us on WhatsApp to confirm your ship’s schedule →

Note: MSC Grandiosa calls at La Spezia very frequently in September, and Mein Schiff 4 becomes the most regular caller from November through February. If you’re sailing on either of these ships, we know their schedule well and regularly welcome groups from them.

What Our Guests Say About Their Shore Excursion from La Spezia To Florence

Emma & Robert, UK, June 2026
Pisa in the morning, Florence all afternoon
We weren't sure we could fit both in, but the timing was perfect. Our driver Alessandro had us at the Leaning Tower by 9:15, plenty of time for photos before the crowds hit. Florence itself was breathtaking, Piazzale Michelangelo alone was worth the trip. Back at the ship with an hour to spare.
The Bennett Family, Canada, July 2026
Worth every euro compared to the ship's excursion
We compared prices with our cruise line and this was actually cheaper for our family of 5, and so much better. No crowd of 40 people, our own pace at the Duomo, and lunch at the Central Market our guide recommended was the best meal of our whole cruise. Highly recommend.
Klaus & Ingrid, Germany, July 2026
150 km felt effortless
Skeptical at first, Florence seemed far for a single port day. Our driver made the drive part of the experience, telling us about the Carrara marble quarries as we passed. Ponte Vecchio at 2pm was magical. Arrived back at La Spezia terminal with real time to spare, no stress at all.
Sophie, France, solo traveller, August 2026
Solo and worry-free
Traveling alone, I wanted the reassurance of a guaranteed return without joining a huge coach tour. This was exactly right, small van, just me and one other couple, and our driver adjusted the pace to what we wanted. Saw the Duomo, David's copy in Piazza della Signoria, and still had time for gelato by the Arno.

Book Your Florence Shore Excursion

Your ship only gives you one day in Tuscany. Spend it in Florence, with a driver who knows the road and a return time that is guaranteed, not hoped for.

Book Shore Excursion To Florence

Private Transfer From Cruise Port

Florence Shore Excursion from La Spezia Cruise Port - Private driver & certified guide for cruise passengers

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Florence from La Spezia cruise port in one day?
Yes, provided your ship stays in port for at least 8 hours, which is the standard call duration at La Spezia. With an 8:00 AM pickup and a 5:00 PM return, you spend about five hours in Florence itself, plus a 45-minute stop in Pisa on the way. It is the most booked excursion from this port, ahead of the Cinque Terre.
 
How far is Florence from La Spezia cruise port?
150 km, which our drivers cover in about 1 hour 45 minutes via the A12 and A11 motorways. Traffic around Florence can add 15 minutes in high season, and we build that margin into the schedule.
 
Will I get back to my ship on time?
Yes, and this is contractual. The schedule plans your arrival at the terminal at least one hour before the ship’s departure time. In the event of a breakdown, a second vehicle is dispatched. Our guarantee states that if you ever missed your ship because of us, we would cover your transport and accommodation to rejoin it at the next port.
 
Is it better to take the train or book an excursion from La Spezia to Florence?
The train costs less, around €45 per person return, but you need the port shuttle to La Spezia Centrale station, a change in Pisa in most cases, and you carry the delay risk yourself on the way back. The excursion costs more and removes all three problems. Families with children and first-time visitors almost always choose the excursion; solo travellers on a budget sometimes take the train.
 
What will I actually see in Florence in one day?
The route covers the Duomo, the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi courtyard, Ponte Vecchio and the panoramic terrace at Piazzale Michelangelo, with lunch at the Central Market. You will not have time for a full Uffizi visit, which needs half a day on its own. The Accademia and Michelangelo’s David fit if you book the skip-the-line option.
 
Do you have German-speaking drivers or guides?
Yes. Given the large number of TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff) and AIDA passengers calling at La Spezia, we offer German-speaking drivers on request. Let us know your preferred language when booking, ideally a few days in advance, so we can match you with the right driver.
 
How much does the excursion cost?
From €110 per person, based on a shared private van. The price includes the vehicle, the driver, the Pisa stop and the return guarantee. Lunch, museum tickets and the optional licensed guide in Florence are extra.
 
Where exactly do I meet my driver at La Spezia?
Cruise ships dock at the Molo Garibaldi terminal inside the commercial port. Your driver waits at the terminal exit, about 80 metres from the gangway, holding a sign with your name. The evening before the tour you receive his name, photo, vehicle plate and direct WhatsApp number.
 
What happens if my ship changes its schedule or skips the port?
You get a full refund if the ship does not dock, and we adjust pickup and return times free of charge if the call times change. Send us the updated arrival and departure times as soon as you know them.
 

Is the Cinque Terre worth visiting outside of summer?

Yes, and many regular winter visitors actually prefer it. The villages are far less crowded from November through February, the coastal paths are easier to enjoy without the summer crush, and most restaurants stay open year-round. A private vehicle also means you’re not exposed to winter weather between train stations the way independent travellers are.

 

My cruise is a short 3 or 4-day sailing, is there enough time to visit Florence?

It depends on your exact port call hours, which can be shorter on mini-cruises and repositioning sailings. If you have fewer than 7 hours in port, we recommend a shortened Florence itinerary focused on the essentials (Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio) without the Pisa stop, or the Cinque Terre instead, which is much closer. Send us your exact arrival and departure times when booking and we’ll recommend the best fit.

 
Is this tour suitable for children and guests with reduced mobility?
Yes for children: car seats are provided free on request. For reduced mobility, the vehicle accommodates a foldable wheelchair, but be aware that Florence’s historic centre has cobblestones and that Pisa’s square involves a 10-minute walk from the coach parking area.

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