The 15 Best Florence Shore Excursions

1.Florence, Pisa w/Leaning Tower & Accademia Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,107 reviews · 9 hours · from $64Our pick

Ride round trip from La Spezia to Florence and Pisa, with maps, onboard Wi-Fi, and multilingual commentary. You get 3.5 hours in Florence and 1.5 in Pisa, plus options for a historic-center walk, a Leaning Tower climb, or Accademia Gallery entry to see Michelangelo’s David. Guides such as Federico, Luminita, and Alessandro have led the day, though your guide will vary.

“We booked this excursion as a day trip for our stop in La Spezia on our cruise. Definitely recommend booking a trip to Florence and Piza while in this port. The excursion was very convenient because the bus picks you up and drops your off right at the port. The guide was knowledgeable and timely but there's nothing particularly special about this tour. We wish the guide would have shared more about the specific places we visited but ultimately it did what it needed to do”

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2.Full day shore excursion to Florence and Pisa from Livorno with tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 968 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $52

Spend about eight hours traveling by air-conditioned coach from Livorno to Florence and Pisa. An English-speaking tour leader shares tips, then you explore each city on your own, with roughly three hours in Florence and an hour in Pisa. A local-products tasting is available as an option. Guides vary, with Sabrina, Ariana, Luca, and Igna among the names associated with the tour.

“Elena was fantastic guide love all the visit place and explanation will definitely visit again and use her services again. Thank you very much chao.”

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3.Florence & Pisa Shore Excursion with Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 952 reviews · 8 hours · from $51

Ride from Livorno to Florence and Pisa with an English- or Spanish-speaking tour leader, then use free time to explore at your own pace. The eight-hour outing includes air-conditioned bus transport and, if you select that option, a tasting of local products. Guides such as Sabrina, Arianna, and Igna have led recent tours.

“Arianna and Lucca were amazing and attentive. Bilingual tour. Thank you!”

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4.Florence Optional Walking Tour and Accademia Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 671 reviews · 8 hours · from $41Best value

Take a round-trip coach from Livorno to Florence, then use your five hours in the city for independent sightseeing or add a guided walking tour and Accademia Gallery entry. A host provides a map, Wi-Fi details and practical directions. Guides including Giada, Tiziana and Mattia have been praised for clear instructions and care with timing.

“Simple transfer with useful information given on bus. Measures taken to ensure passengers met the transfer back - taking telephone numbers etc were good and made us feel comfortable about arrangements. Transport was very comfortable. Guide and driver were friendly and helpful. The only slight issue was having arrived 10 minutes early as requested we departure was actually nearly half hour later than advertised.”

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5.Livorno Shore Excursion: Florence & Pisa with Accademia and Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 459 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $41

From Livorno, ride an air-conditioned coach to Florence for independent exploring or an optional walking tour and Accademia visit, then continue to Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli. You can add a climb up the Leaning Tower. Guides including Alessandro, Marina, and Lumi have been praised for clear, friendly help, but the day runs on a tight schedule.

“We had a great day visiting Florence and Pisa, everything went smoothly. Our tour leader Lumi was warm and welcoming, friendly and informative. The tour coach was double decker and very comfortable. The driver Maximillian looked after us well, and made sure we got back to our port on time. One point, we paid 8 euros extra when booking for a guided tour, but this seemed to be available to everyone.”

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6.Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 376 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $71

Meet your English-speaking guide in central Florence for a small-group cruise on a traditional barchetto, a little boat once used to carry building materials. See the Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Corsini from the Arno, hear about the Medici and the Vasari Corridor, and enjoy wine or a soft drink.

“It was a lovely morning. I do not think breakfast or food should be offered because it is not on the boat and an unnecessary use of time -- especially in the morning as it can get too hot. The guide was great, and the umbrellas were great. I would like more of a story of Florence to be told on the boat ride -- it is a good story telling venue.”

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7.Livorno Shore Excursion: Pisa & Florence in One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 342 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $166

Travel from Livorno to Florence and Pisa in an air-conditioned vehicle, with an English-speaking driver or a separate guide depending on group size. See Florence’s Duomo, Santa Croce, and Ponte Vecchio, then spend time at Pisa’s Field of Miracles. At about $167, it covers a lot of ground, but expect a brisk day, long stretches on foot, and separate fees for some sights.

“Excellent tour but alot of walking. Very knowledgeable guide and very helpful. Quality of bus was very good and excellent communication on meeting point.”

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8.Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence, Guaranteed Return On Time

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 334 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $42

Take a shared, air-conditioned coach from Livorno to Florence, with Wi-Fi, an escort, a city map, and about four to five hours in town. Choose independent sightseeing, an escorted city walk, or an option with Accademia Gallery entry. Guides have included Marina, Tiziana, Alessandro, and George. The meeting point is in Livorno, so transport there from the cruise port is not included.

“Comfortable bus. Very friendly and knowledgeable guide. Sharp with tour schedule. Always ready to help and advice with any questions.”

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9.La Spezia Shore Excursion to Florence & Pisa

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 278 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $64

Travel by air-conditioned coach from La Spezia to Florence and Pisa, with an English-speaking escort, city maps, and free time at both stops. See Florence’s cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria, then visit Pisa’s famous square. Optional upgrades add Accademia Gallery or Leaning Tower entry, but the day is tightly timed.

“Lumi, an exceptional tour leader, ensured we covered all the important landmarks despite the long, walking tour. She also provided us with time for lunch and bathroom breaks.”

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10.Livorno Shore Excursion: Pisa and Florence Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 198 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $546

A private Mercedes sedan or minivan takes you from Livorno to Pisa and Florence for about nine hours. See Pisa’s Cathedral Square, stop at Florence’s Piazzale Michelangelo and explore the center at your own pace. Add a private Florence guide and timed entry to either the Accademia or Uffizi, if available. Drivers such as Alessio, Donatello and Alex have helped make the day’s logistics easier.

“Fantastic tour! Donatello was very knowledgeable of the area, he made sure we knew where we were going, made great recommendations and ensured we would make in back to our cruise ship on time! Exactly the Florence experience we were looking for!”

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11.Pontevecchio Bridge and City Sights Rafting Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 167 reviews · 2 hours · from $46

For two hours, paddle the Arno with a rafting guide, pass the Uffizi and Florence’s historic bridges, and descend the San Niccolò dam before reaching Ponte Vecchio. Guides such as Marco and Hector lead the trip in Italian or English. The river section is mostly calm, but expect a lively splash at the start.

“Very fun morning on the Arno! A good arm workout but nothing too tiresome. Fun start on the rapids and a relaxing trip otherwise.”

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12.Full day Shore Excursion to Florence from Livorno with tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $47Top rated

Travel from Livorno to Florence by coach with a local guide, then spend about four hours exploring at your own pace. A Tuscan food tasting is part of the experience, though the exact format may vary. Guides such as Sabrina, Ariana, and Ignacio have helped visitors plan a walking route, find landmarks, and make the most of limited time.

“Really glad we booked this in order to get from the cruise ship to Florence and back. We didn’t have to stress and could enjoy our day. John even gave us a map of his recommendations and gave his advice on how to tackle the day we wanted to have.”

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13.Florence Shore Excursion with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 143 reviews · 8 hours · from $46

Ride from Livorno to Florence with an English- or Spanish-speaking tour leader, then explore at your own pace. You can add a tasting of local Tuscan products before your free time. Guides such as Alice, Sabrina, Igna, and Ariana have helped visitors with maps, city tips, and return-to-ship timing.

“The city was stunning, and our guide was incredibly helpful. However, the long walk from the bus drop-off point to the city center posed a challenge for many customers. A more efficient system is needed to ensure convenient drop-off and pickup locations. The taste testing was fantastic!”

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14.Pisa and Florence from the Livorno Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Tuscan Vibes takes your private group of up to eight from Livorno port to Pisa and Florence in about eight hours. Expect a short drive through Pisa, time near the Leaning Tower, a Florence viewpoint stop, and roughly three hours to explore downtown on your own. Drivers such as Simone, Matteo, and Dario have shared local history and practical tips, but a formal guide is not included.

“Simone was awesome! He was waiting with a clearly marked sign right as we exited the ship. He was very friendly and engaging from the first minute. The van was immaculate and very comfortable. He made sure to inquire about our plans and share some insider info with us. He was kind to offer to take several photos of our family along the way. We asked for lunch recommendations and he secured an excellent choice for us. He is very knowledgeable about the area too. Our family saw everything we wanted. He provided us with his number so we could ask questions as needed and make any necessary itinerary changes.…”

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15.La Spezia Shore Excursion to Florence with guaranteed return on time

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 80 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Travel by air-conditioned coach from La Spezia to Florence, then choose a guided walk or time to explore on your own. The Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David, is an optional add-on. Guides such as Alessandro, Lumi and Martina have led trips, and the return to port is guaranteed.

“We just paid for the transfer not the tour and it worked out perfectly. The team was gracious and accommodating. Love it when plans proceed without a hitch!”

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