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6-Day Coastal Road Trip: Pisa to Nice via Cinque Terre, Portofino & Genoa (Reversed Route)

Viewed by 82 travelers

Day 1: Pisa Arrival

Pisa & Lucca, Italy on December 1, 2025

9:00am

Pick up rental vehicle at Pisa International Airport (PSA)

Collect a 7- or 8-seater MPV/van for comfortable travel for 6 people and luggage; confirm unlimited mileage and cross-border drop-off for France.
EUR0, 0h30m

10:00am

Drive Pisa → Lucca and coffee

Short ~30–40 minute drive to Lucca; enjoy a coffee and pastry near the historic center before exploring the city walls.
EUR8, 1h0m

11:30am

Walk Lucca’s city walls & boutique shopping

Stroll or rent bikes to wheel around the fully intact Renaissance walls and spend time browsing boutiques and artisan shops in the compact center.
EUR0, 1h30m

1:30pm

Lunch in Lucca (trattoria)

Enjoy Tuscan specialties—fresh pasta, local olive oil and wines—at a family-run trattoria near Piazza San Michele.
EUR20, 1h0m

3:00pm

Check in at hotel in Lucca & relax

Drop bags at a centrally located hotel with parking or valet; use the afternoon to rest or explore narrow lanes and bakeries.
EUR0, 1h0m

5:00pm

Late afternoon stroll and aperitivo

Join the local passeggiata on the walls or enjoy an aperitivo in an enoteca—Lucca’s evenings are relaxed and atmospheric.
EUR12, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Ristorante Giglio (or similar)

Fine traditional Tuscan dining in Lucca’s center—perfect for an elevated first-night meal with regionally-focused wine pairings.
EUR45, 1h45m

10:00pm

Nightlife: wine bars & live music

Lucca offers intimate music venues and cozy wine bars for a relaxed evening; ideal for a slow end to day one.
EUR15, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Pisa & Lucca

Day 2: Pisa & Transfer

Lucca → Pisa → Monterosso al Mare, Italy on December 2, 2025

8:00am

Drive Lucca → Pisa and visit Piazza dei Miracoli

Short drive (~30–40 minutes) to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery—book tower climb tickets in advance; typical hours roughly 9:00am–7:00pm (seasonal).
EUR25, 1h30m

10:30am

Brunch near the cathedral

Casual Tuscan brunch close to the square; try cecina or a light pasta and a regional coffee before setting off up the coast.
EUR15, 0h45m

12:00pm

Drive Pisa → Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre)

Coastal/Tuscany drive of roughly 1–1.5 hours; plan for parking at your Monterosso accommodation or a nearby lot—driving in the Cinque Terre is limited, so expect to park and walk or use trains between villages.
EUR0, 1h30m

2:00pm

Check in & walk Monterosso seafront

Settle into your base, then explore Monterosso’s long sandy beach, historic center and local shops—ideal for a relaxed afternoon by the sea.
EUR0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Shopping for local pesto, wine & focaccia

Browse small shops for Cinque Terre specialties—pesto, lemon preserves and local wines make great souvenirs.
EUR10, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner at Ristorante Miky (Monterosso)

Well-regarded local restaurant specializing in refined Ligurian seafood; reserve ahead for a 6-person party.
EUR50, 1h45m

10:00pm

Evening: wine bar or seaside walk

Enjoy a digestivo and local wine at a small enoteca or a peaceful walk along the shore—the villages quiet down after dark.
EUR10, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Lucca → Pisa → Monterosso al Mare

Day 3: Cinque Terre

Monterosso & Cinque Terre, Italy on December 3, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at a local café

Start with espresso and focaccia to fuel a day of village-hopping—most cafés open by 8:00–9:00am in winter.
EUR8, 0h30m

9:00am

Hike Monterosso → Vernazza (Scenic trail)

Walk one of the most iconic Cinque Terre trails (Trail 2) with stunning coastal views; check the Cinque Terre National Park website for trail status and closures.
EUR0, 2h0m

11:30am

Explore Vernazza & lunch at Belforte

Vernazza’s cliff-top harbor is postcard-perfect; Ristorante Belforte (cliffside) serves fresh seafood with unbeatable sea views—seasonal hours vary so reserve ahead.
EUR35, 1h30m

2:00pm

Boat tour (Monterosso–Riomaggiore) or take the train

A coastal boat offers superb perspectives of the five villages but is seasonal—if unavailable, trains run year-round frequently between villages and are reliable.
EUR12, 1h0m

4:00pm

Return to Monterosso for gelato & shopping

Grab gelato, browse local ceramics and relax on the beach or in a café before the evening.
EUR10, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at a family-run trattoria

Opt for a cozy, authentic trattoria for homemade pasta and Ligurian specialties—great for a relaxed group meal.
EUR30, 1h30m

10:00pm

Night: quiet bars or seaside stroll

Cinque Terre villages are more peaceful at night—enjoy an easy evening walk or a casual glass of local wine.
EUR10, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Monterosso & Cinque Terre

Day 4: Harbors & Hills

Monterosso → Portofino → Genoa, Italy on December 4, 2025

8:30am

Early walk in Monterosso & coffee

Enjoy a morning coffee and the quieter beach atmosphere before checking out and heading to Portofino.
EUR5, 0h45m

10:00am

Drive Monterosso → Portofino (coastal roads)

Scenic drive of roughly 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic; note limited parking in Portofino—expect paid lots or shuttle options into the harbor.
EUR0, 1h45m

12:00pm

Lunch in Portofino - seaside trattoria

Leisurely lunch overlooking the harbor—expect higher prices but excellent Ligurian seafood and pasta al pesto in a picturesque setting.
EUR40, 1h15m

2:00pm

Drive Portofino → Genoa

Short drive (~1–1.5 hours) back to Genoa; plan for traffic near the city and find parking near Porto Antico to explore on foot.
EUR0, 1h15m

4:00pm

Explore Genoa Old Town & Porto Antico

Wander the medieval centro storico’s narrow lanes, see the harbor area and the exterior of the Aquarium; Genoa offers rich history and good shopping for local food products.
EUR0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner at a Genovese osteria (Osteria di Vico Palla or similar)

Savor authentic Genovese dishes—pesto, farinata and seafood—best enjoyed in a cozy historic setting (reserve for a group).
EUR35, 1h30m

10:00pm

Nightlife in Porto Antico

Choose from lively bars, jazz venues or wine spots near the Old Harbor for after-dinner drinks—Genoa has a vibrant evening scene.
EUR15, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Monterosso → Portofino → Genoa

Day 5: Riviera Drive

Genoa, Italy → Sanremo → Nice, France on December 5, 2025

8:00am

Coastal drive: Genoa → Savona → Sanremo (photo stops)

Morning drive along the Italian Riviera—stop in Savona to see the port and promenades and capture coastal views; keep drives leisurely with scenic photo breaks.
EUR0, 2h0m

11:00am

Stroll Sanremo old town & flower market

Historic town known for its flower market and casino; enjoy a coffee and explore artisan shops in the old center.
EUR10, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch in Sanremo – seafood trattoria

Fresh-catch seafood and Ligurian pasta set the tone for the French Riviera ahead—relaxed lunch before crossing the border.
EUR25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Drive Sanremo → Menton (France) → Nice

Short border hop into France; take the scenic coastal road into Menton and then on to Nice—total driving time ~2–2.5 hours depending on stops.
EUR0, 2h0m

4:30pm

Check in & quick rest in Nice

Arrive in Nice, check into a centrally located hotel with parking or valet, and freshen up before the evening.
EUR0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Stroll Promenade des Anglais & Vieux Nice

Enjoy a walk along the palm-lined promenade and wander Nice’s Old Town for shops and perfumeries—great pre-dinner activity with scenic views.
EUR0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Fine dining at La Petite Maison (Nice)

Upscale Niçoise and Mediterranean specialties in a polished setting—book ahead for dinner for a special final-night experience before departure.
EUR60, 1h45m

10:30pm

Nightlife: rooftop/sea bars or Vieux Nice terraces

Finish the night with cocktails on a rooftop or at a lively terrace bar in Vieux Nice—many venues stay open late for drinks and music.
EUR15, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Genoa

Day 6: Departure Day

Nice, France on December 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast along Promenade or Old Town

Enjoy croissants, coffee and local specialties at an Old Town café to soak up the last moments on the Riviera—many cafés open around 8:00–9:00am.
EUR10, 1h0m

9:30am

Morning shopping in Vieux Nice (perfumeries & boutiques)

Pick up final souvenirs—local soaps, perfumes (Fragonard), ceramics and Provencal food items—shops often open by 9:30am.
EUR0, 1h0m

11:00am

Drive to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport & return rental car

Short drive (~15–30 minutes) to the airport; leave extra time for rental drop-off paperwork and international check-in (arrive ~2 hours before departure).
EUR0, 0h45m

12:15pm

Airport lunch or relax before flight

If time allows, enjoy a quick lunch at the airport; otherwise proceed through security and relax before boarding.
EUR12, 0h45m

2:30pm

Flight departure from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (example)

Depart from Nice (NCE). Confirm airline check-in windows and be at the airport 2 hours ahead for international flights.
EUR0, 0h0m
Find Hotels in Nice
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