La Spezia: Guided Tour of Florence & Pisa with Bus Transfer

Florence’s cathedral, its famed sculpture-filled squares, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa all fit into one day from La Spezia. This tour gives you a practical way to see both cities without planning the intercity transport yourself.

I like two things in particular: the air-conditioned coach and included Florence tram ticket simplify a long day, and the tour leader shares background during the drive, so the countryside between stops becomes part of the experience. Once in each city, you have time to explore on your own.

The trade-off is the pace. Florence is about a two-hour drive away, and the city stops are short, especially Pisa’s 30 minutes. Take this tour to get a first look at both places, not to linger or tour their interiors.

At a glance

• Two famous cities in one day: Travel from La Spezia to Florence and Pisa by coach, with independent sightseeing in each.
• Florence includes a tram transfer: A round-trip local tram ticket is provided; the ride from the bus parking area to the city center takes about 20 minutes.
• Pisa’s stop is brief: The scheduled visit is 30 minutes, and the Leaning Tower is a 15-minute walk away.
• The tour leader handles the group: Guides have included Gianni, Johnny, Jonny, and Greta. English commentary is guaranteed.
• Attractions cost extra: Entry tickets are not included, so focus on seeing the city centers unless you arrange admissions separately.
• Expect a full day: The tour lasts 8.5 hours, with substantial time in transit and a busy schedule.

Leaving La Spezia for the Tuscan countryside

The tour starts at La Spezia Cruise Terminal. Look for the red-and-green Tantitours Experience desk marked Liguria and Tuscany by bus, at the end of the terminal on your left. All participants must pass through the cruise terminal, so allow time to find the meeting point and stay with the group.

Once aboard, you travel in an air-conditioned coach. The ride to Florence takes around two hours, and the tour leader uses the journey to introduce the places and history along the way. That commentary is useful: rather than treating the drive as dead time, you get context before reaching the city.

The transfer also gives you a chance to rest before walking. Bring comfortable shoes, and keep your day bag light. Food and drinks are not allowed on the bus, so plan to eat and drink during the stops rather than expecting to snack onboard.

This is a group excursion, not a private car tour. One departure included 55 people, and the guide had to coordinate the group on and off both the bus and tram. That format can work well if you listen closely to meeting instructions and keep an eye on the time. It offers less freedom than making your own arrangements, but removes the work of organizing transport between La Spezia, Florence, and Pisa.

Reaching Florence by tram

A change to the road rules for tourist buses took effect on July 1, 2025. Coaches can no longer arrive near the Santa Croce area, so the planned route is to park outside the center and take a local tram into Florence. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and the tour includes a round-trip ticket.

This extra leg matters when you judge the time available. You are not stepping straight off the coach into the historic center; you need to travel in by tram, then return to the parking area later. The tram can be crowded, and one July departure found it hot and packed. Treat it as part of the day’s logistics, not as an attraction in itself.

The benefit is simple: the tram gets you closer to the center than a coach can under the current bus restrictions. Your tour leader organizes the transfer, so you do not need to work out the route or buy the ticket yourself. Stay close and listen for the agreed return time.

Two hours to find your Florence

The scheduled Florence visit is about two hours, and the time is self-guided. You can head toward Piazza della Signoria, see the exterior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and take in the city’s sculpture-filled public spaces. There is also time to shop or stop for a traditional Italian ice cream, provided you keep the return time in mind.

Florence rewards slow looking, but this stop asks you to choose. You will not have time to explore every major sight, browse at length, and visit museums at a relaxed pace. I would pick a few priorities before arriving, then keep the route compact. If you try to cover too much ground, the tram ride and group meeting points can turn a pleasant walk into a race.

There is an important distinction around Michelangelo’s David. The original is inside the Accademia Gallery, and admission tickets are not included. The tour description calls out David, but the itinerary gives you free time rather than a reserved museum visit. If seeing the original is essential, check the museum’s location, ticket availability, and whether the short stop allows enough time. Do not assume that a mention of David means gallery entry is part of the excursion.

You can still enjoy Florence without entering a museum. Piazza della Signoria is a rewarding place to see outdoor sculpture, and the cathedral’s scale and marble exterior make an impression from the square. But for interiors or a specific collection, this tour’s limited free time and excluded admission tickets are real constraints.

Pisa’s Miracle Square and the Leaning Tower

After Florence, the coach continues to Pisa. The tour’s stop is listed as 30 minutes, with time to see Miracle Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main sights are close together: the Baptistery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Camposanto, and the Leaning Tower.

The tower is the obvious photo stop, but the square is more than a backdrop for a tilted-building pose. Take a moment to look across the group of monuments and notice how they work together. Even with little time, you can appreciate the open setting and the contrast between the tower’s famous lean and the neighboring structures.

There is a 15-minute walk to reach the Leaning Tower. That walk eats into a short stop, so keep the group’s route and timing in mind. The half-hour visit may be enough for a quick look and photos, but it is not much time for lingering, browsing, or a paid climb. Entry tickets are not included.

Daylight can also affect the feel of this visit. In late autumn, the stop may fall toward dusk, depending on the day’s schedule. If you are hoping for bright, leisurely photos or an extended look around the square, a short group stop may disappoint. If your goal is simply to see the tower in person, it delivers that famous sight without requiring a separate trip from La Spezia.

The return journey and the value of the day

The tour returns to La Spezia by coach. The listed return drive from Pisa is about an hour, while the total experience lasts 8.5 hours. Set aside the full day rather than planning around only the individual drive and sightseeing blocks; transfers and group movement take time too.

At $88 per person, the value is chiefly in the transport and coordination. You get coach travel between three places, a tour leader, commentary along the way, and the round-trip Florence tram ticket. The price does not include admission to attractions, so it is less appealing if you expect guided museum visits or access to the tower’s interior.

For a cruise passenger or anyone based in La Spezia, the convenience can justify the price. Florence and Pisa are far enough apart that arranging both independently takes planning, and this trip handles the main transfers in one day. The compromise is clear: you trade depth and flexibility for breadth and simpler logistics.

The tour leader’s role makes a difference on a tight schedule. Guides have included Gianni, Johnny, Jonny, and Greta, and English-speaking leadership is guaranteed. Good instructions matter when a group is moving between a coach, tram, and two city centers. Still, you should stay alert to meeting times and not assume the group can wait indefinitely if you wander off.

Who should book this La Spezia day trip?

Book it if you want a broad first look at Florence and Pisa and are comfortable with a long day, short visits, and self-guided city time. It is especially practical if you would rather have transport and tram arrangements handled than plan several connections yourself.

Skip it if Florence is your main reason for travelling and you want time for museums, long meals, or unhurried neighborhood walks. It is also a poor fit if you need wheelchair access: the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the Pisa stop includes a 15-minute walk to the tower.

Before booking, be realistic about the itinerary’s priorities. You can see Florence’s central sights and get your Pisa photograph, but you cannot do everything in either city. If that sounds like a worthwhile sampler, the day offers a lot of iconic Italy for $88. If you want to go deep in one place, spend the day there instead.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 8.5 hours, including travel and time in Florence and Pisa.

Where is the meeting point in La Spezia?

Meet at the cruise terminal and look for the red-and-green Tantitours Experience desk marked Liguria and Tuscany by bus, at the end of the terminal on your left.

Is a Florence tram ticket included?

Yes. A round-trip local tram ticket is included. The tram ride from the bus parking area into the city center takes about 20 minutes.

How much free time is scheduled in Florence?

The Florence stop is listed as about two hours, and the time in the city is self-guided.

How much time do you get in Pisa?

The Pisa visit is listed as 30 minutes. The walk to the Leaning Tower takes about 15 minutes.

Are attraction entry tickets included?

No. Entry tickets to attractions are not included.

Which languages are available?

English-speaking tour leadership is guaranteed, and Italian is also listed. Spanish is available only if a significant number of Spanish speakers are present.