Welcome to La Spezia
It's an understandable oversight. Situated minutes to the east of Cinque Terre by train, and sidling up to the exquisite Lerici and Tellaro, this hard-working port town and home to Italy's largest naval base is routinely overlooked. But it's not only an affordable place to overnight if you're heading to the Cinque Terre, it's really worthy of at least a wander – the winding streets of the old town are hugely atmospheric and there are plenty of cosy trattorias showcasing the Ligurian kitchen's finest.
Top experiences in La Spezia
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Food and drink
Recent articles
La Spezia activities
Milan to Cinque Terre Day Tour with Monterosso Boat Trip
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Milan Visitor Center - Zani ViaggiDeparture pointDuration: 10 minutesStop At: Borgo Storico di Manarola, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaLeaving Milan, you arrive directly at the Cinque Terre and via a scenic route on the coast you reach Manarola. Here you'll have free time to venture around the vineyards, stroll the piers where fishing boats line the shore or watch the locals and the tourists jumping into the sea from the rocks of the harbour! Duration: 1 hourStop At: Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaRight before lunch time you catch the train to Monterosso al Mare, the biggest of the five villages, where you will have time to explore and visit the beaches dotted along the coast. Despite the number of tourists, there is still a real sense of local identity even in the most tourist-crammed little ‘piazze'. Restaurants, bars and accommodation all have an endearingly homespun air about them as though when the locals saw tourists coming, they found a few garden chairs to stick on their terrace, hand painted a sign and began serving customers. Duration: 2 hoursPass By: Cinque Terre Trails, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaDuring your free time, if you wish, you will able to explore the beginning of some of the trails leading inside the Cinque Terre national park.Pass By: Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere, La Spezia, Province of La Spezia, LiguriaFrom Monterosso you will start the final leg of your journey, probably the most inspiring, a 90 minutes boat cruise. The perfect way to admire the stunning views of the Cinque Terre and the delightful village of Portovenere from the sea. After this memorable experience, you will arrive at La Spezia where your coach will be waiting to take you back to Milan.
Pisa and Cinque Terre Full-Day Train Tour from Florence
Meet your expert guide at Santa Maria Novella train station in central Florence, then hop aboard an air-conditioned train to Pisa. Sit back and relax as you enjoy your scenic ride out of the city, arriving in Pisa approximately an hour later.On arrival, follow your guide to the Field of Dreams (Piazza dei Miracoli), a verdant expanse home to the city’s most important sights: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery and the Duomo. With 1.5 hours here spent at your leisure, perhaps pose for photos by the Leaning Tower and, depending on availability, head inside for a guided tour (own expense). Alternatively, make for the Duomo (own expense) to marvel at its carved pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, or head inside the Baptistery (own expense) to test the unusual acoustics.Next, return to the station to board your train to La Spezia, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre National Park. Translated as ‘five lands,’ Cinque Terre is made up of five enchanting fishing villages that line the coast of the Italian Riviera.Just under 1.5 hours later, find yourself at La Spezia train station, where you’ll catch a local train to the historical village of Riomaggiore. Wonder at the tightly packed pastel buildings as you stroll along the cobbled streets with your guide.Continue by train to Vernazza, a seaside town that surrounds a tiny, natural port. Alight your train, then enjoy free time to soak up the sun on the pretty beach, or dive into the cooling waters for a swim.Your final stop is Manarola, a tiny village that is said to have more grapevines than any other Cinque Terre village. Wander along the harbor and spend a few minutes snapping photos of the picturesque buildings that cascade toward the sea.After, make your way back to La Spezia or Pisa aboard the train for the return trip to Florence, where your tour concludes.
Wines of Tuscany and Cinque Terre 4D/3N
Day 1: ROME - GROSSETO - PISA - LA SPEZIA (D)Cross the Etruscan lands into the GROSSETO countryside, well known as MAREMMA. This is one of the new areas of excellence in Italy's viticulture. Meandering through the Tuscan countryside you'll arrive at a beautiful local winery near the regional park and close to wonderful beaches. Experience the wine making process up close, from the vineyards to the cellar, to the ageing of the wine. At the end of the visit you can taste some of the wines of the region. Proceed along the coast until we reach Pisa. Our tour leader will take you for a pleasant walk into the enchanting historical center visiting Piazza dei Miracoli, with its famous Leaning Tower (exterior), The Baptistery (exterior) and other beautiful monuments. Proceed to La Spezia. Overnight at the hotel.Day 2: LA SPEZIA - PORTOVENERE - GOLFO DEI POETI - CINQUE TERRE - LUCCA - MONTAPERTI (B, D)After breakfast, depart by boat for an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscapes in the world. Cinque Terre is an area suspended between sea and land, hanging from sheer clis, surrounded by hills and vineyards. You will enter into a little piece of heaven. By touring the coastline by boat, you will have the possibility to admire this amazing landscape from the sea. (In case of rough seas, the visit will be done partly by coach and partly by train) Arrive in La Spezia by train and from there take the bus to reach the region of Tuscany with a stop en-route in Lucca. Overnight at the hotel.Day 3: MONTAPERTI - RADDA IN CHIANTI - SAN GIMIGNANO - SIENA - CASTELNUOVO BERARDENGA - MONTAPERTI (B, D)After breakfast at the hotel, depart to discover the Chianti Classic Gallo Nero region and admire one of the most iconic villages: Radda in Chianti. Visit the small town on your own and then proceed by private coach to San Gimignano, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries. It is situated on a hilltop and is famous for its towers, frescoes and other art treasures. Once you have left San Gimignano you will make a stop in a farmhouse to enjoy an wine tasting with typical snacks. Proceed to Siena. The sightseeing tour will end in Piazza del Campo.This is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and site of the famous 600 years old horse-race, called “Il Palio”.Day 4: MONTAPERTI - MONTEPULCIANO - PIENZA - ROME After breakfast, check out and depart to Val D'Orcia to complete the wine tour of Tuscany. You will reach the hilltop town of Montepulciano, an ancient village, rich in medieval and Renaissance buildings. It is famous for producing one of the oldest wines in Italy, Nobile di Montepulciano. Here you will visit a local wine cellar where you will taste wine and local products such as ham, cheese, and salami. Proceed to Pienza. At the end of the visit return to Rome.
Cinque Terre Pesto Making, Boat Tour, Lunch from La Spezia
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Cinque Terre Tours, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaPesto course with lunch & Boat TripDuration: 3 hours
Cinque Terre Full-Day Sailing Tour from La Spezia
Make your way to La Spezia port in the late morning. Meet your expert skipper and step aboard a sailboat for your 7-hour Cinque Terre sailing adventure.Drift away from the port along the Gulf of La Spezia, also called the Gulf of Poets for all the famous poets who came to northern Italy’s Liguria region, such as Lord Byron. Pass the villages of Portovenere and Lerici and the islands of Palmaria and Tino.Then veer west along the famous coastline of Cinque Terre, the ‘Five Lands' — a rugged portion of the Italian Riviera comprised of five postcard–worthy villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Admire the craggy coast and terraced hillsides dotted with colorful villages, all part of Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cinque Terre towns are mostly inaccessible by car, but you’ll get a breathtaking panorama of all the highlights from the best vantage point: the water. In front of Vernazza or a similar scenic spot, pause to enjoy a light lunch spread of local specialties, such as focaccia bread with anchovies and olives, paired with Italian wine (See Itinerary for sample menu ). Continue sailing along the Cinque Terre coast, stopping again to take a dip and swim in a protected marine area. Sit back and relax on your way back to La Spezia, or take the reins and learn how to sail with the help of your skipper. Your day trip concludes when you arrive back at La Spezia port in the early evening.
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Borgo Storico di Manarola, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaYou’ll first reach Manarola, a tiny urban jewel characterized by Genoese style ‘case-torri’. Enjoy some free time in this unique village of Cinque TerreDuration: 1 hourPass By: Via dell'Amore, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaAdmire the "love road" that connect Riomaggiore to Manarola. Unfortunately is closed but you can still see the main entrance while taking a relaxing walk in there. Pass By: Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaTake a look at the beautiful church of Manarola and its panoramic view as its located uphill. Stop At: Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaLocated in the main square with a beautiful view over the seaside, this is the main church of Vernazza dedicated to Saint Margaret the saint protector of the village. Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Castello Doria, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaDuring your free time decide to climb this ancient fortress that will give you an unforgettable view over the Cinque Terre. Do not forget to bring your camera with youDuration: 10 minutesStop At: Vernazza, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThen you will move to Vernazza, a village overlooked by the remains of a Medieval castle with a cylindrical tower in which you can enjoy some free time.Duration: 1 hourPass By: Church of San Francesco - Capuchin Friars Monastery, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaIf you wish to avoid the tourist places go up to this beautiful church that dominates the Cinque Terre and offers beautiful views.Just be prepared to climb as it is pretty uphill. Stop At: Borgo Antico, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaDuring your free time in Monterosso you can opt to take a swim or to visit the ancient center with local shops and colored houses. We suggest you to do both.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Spiaggia di Fegina, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaEnjoy some free time on the main beach in Monterosso. Fall in love with its crystalline water and weather permitting have a swim.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Il Gigante, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaFree time in this unique village of Cinque Terre Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaLocated uphill close to a monastery you can admire a statue dedicated to San Francis of Assisi. This place will give you a unique panorama over the riviera. Just be prepared to climb some steps as the monument is uphill.Duration: 10 minutesPass By: Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThis Church is located in the historical center of Monterosso and has a beautiful baroque style facade Stop At: San Pietro Church, Porto Venere, Italian Riviera, LiguriaAdmire the stunning San Pietro in Portovenere that faces the Gulf of the Poet. Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Portovenere, Porto Venere, Italian Riviera, LiguriaFree time in this beautiful village with unforgettable sceneriesDuration: 1 hourPass By: Porta del Borgo, Porto Venere, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThis is an ancient gate to the villagePass By: Santuario della Madonna Bianca (Chiesa di San Lorenzo), Porto Venere, Italian Riviera, LiguriaA simple but beautiful church located in Portovenere Stop At: Castello Doria, Porto Venere, Italian Riviera, LiguriaIf you wish to have a beautiful view than you might be interested in climbing this castle. Duration: 10 minutesPass By: Portido Marina, Porto Venere, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThat's the beautiful, tiny port of Portovenere surrounded by colored houses. Definitely it deserves a visit. Pass By: Le Scalinate - La Spezia, La Spezia, Province of La Spezia, LiguriaHere at the end of the day take our bus that will be waiting for you and go back to Florence