What to do in La Spezia near the Cinque Terre in Italy

La Spezia is a port city, near the Cinque Terre, in the province of Liguria in northern Italy. After Genoa, it is the second largest city in the province.

La Spezia is home to an important Italian naval base and is considered a gateway to the Cinque Terre; the famous chain of five picturesque seaside villages.

Many travellers use La Spezia as a base for day trips to the Cinque Terre; and to other nearby points of interest. The town was heavily bombed during World War II; and many of its historic buildings were destroyed.

But La Spezia still has many interesting attractions to explore; and you could easily spend a day or two there before or after your trip through Cinque Terre.

Is La Spezia worth a visit?

As a tourist destination, La Spezia has an excellent combination of historic buildings; beautiful landscapes and fantastic surrounding sites.

Because of its location, La Spezia is a great place to stay if you want to explore Liguria and Tuscany and you can easily get to Pisa; Florence and Genoa using its train service.

Where to go in La Spezia near the Cinque Terre in Italy?

Take a boat trip to Cinque Terre

While many visitors leave La Spezia for a multi-day trip dedicated to hiking between the five villages of the Cinque Terre; not everyone has the desire or physical stamina for the journey.

Several companies offer regular and charter tours of the Cinque Terre towns; departing from the marina in La Spezia.

This is an incredibly scenic way to see this famous part of the coast; especially if you don't want to do a lot of walking and just visit the highlights.

Walking around the Centro Storico

Much of La Spezia centro storico, or historic centre; was destroyed during the war. But there are some nice pockets of preserved buildings; as well as some interesting post-war architecture. Unlike many Italian centros with a real tourist atmosphere; La Spezia is a busy, lived-in city where you can get a feel for everyday life in an Italian port city.

Explore the Castle of San Giorgio

Situated on a hill overlooking La Spezia, the Castello di San Giorgio is a castle-fortress founded in the 1200s; although most of the current structure dates from the 1600s. There is an archaeological museum in the castle, with a good collection of Roman artefacts. You can climb a series of stairs to reach the castle or take a lift.

Visit the Naval Technical Museum

Military and naval history buffs and children who like big guns and cannons will enjoy this small museum of the Italian navy. There is also a fine collection of model ships. The museum is located near the harbour, at the entrance to the Naval Arsenal.

The main purpose of the museum is to educate people about the technical aspects of the Italian naval forces and their equipment.

You can find a plethora of fantastic objects such as

• Cannons

• Diving suits

• Model ships

• Battleship control panels.

This museum really does paint a fantastic picture of the Italian Navy and gives you a great insight into its history

Visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta

This abbey church dates back to at least the early 1400s; although it was almost completely destroyed in the bombings of the Second World War. It was rebuilt after the war and rededicated in 1954. Fortunately, many of its priceless works of art were spared during the war years; including the terracotta relief sculptures by Andrea Della Robbia.

Admire Italian fine art at the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia

This art museum displays works from antiquity to the 20th century that were once part of the private collection of La Spezia resident Amedeo Lia. The collection includes ancient Roman sculptures; religious works and paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and the Italian futurists. Art lovers should definitely stop by.

Visit the Gulf of Poets

The body of water on which La Spezia is situated is called the Gulf of the Poets; so named because it was a place of inspiration for several English romantic poets. Percy Bysshe Shelley actually drowned in the nearby waters. Although the gulf is much more built up than it was in Shelley's time, it is still quite stunning. Consider hiring a boat for a self-guided or chartered tour of the Gulf.

Find hidden islands and beaches

The picturesque islands of Tino, Tinetto and Palmaria in the Gulf of Poets are well worth a visit by boat. But if you want to stay on dry land; the pebble beaches of Lerici and Portovenere are a short drive from La Spezia.

Celebrate Italian Father's Day on 19 March

March 19 is the day of San Giuseppe, the day of St Joseph (Giuseppe), husband of Mary. It is celebrated as Father's Day in Italy; but it has a special significance in La Spezia; for San Giuseppe is the patron saint of the city. There is a huge market from 17 to 19 March, and the 19th is the only day of the year when the naval base is open to the public.

Enjoying its waterfront

La Spezia is an important port on the west coast of Italy and it goes without saying that it has a beautiful waterfront with fantastic scenery and attractions.

The harbour area adjacent to the Centro Storico and Porto Mirabello are great places to walk around, people watch and enjoy the weather.

At the front of the waterfront is the Passeggiata Costantino Morin which is tree lined and offers great views of the harbour.

In addition, several artificial entrances and channels have been created which provide an excellent way to see the comings and goings of the various commercial and passenger ships.

It is advisable to simply head to the waterfront and start exploring!

Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

This church is one of the most important and recognisable in La Spezia and was originally contrasted in the 15th century; curiously, the basilica was not completed until 1954 and has been restored and altered over the last few hundred years.

The front facade has a green and white striped marble pattern that is similar to other churches in the city.

In addition, the interior features fantastic marble statues of prominent religious figures and beautiful historical paintings.

Parco Giardini Pubblici

You can find this beautiful public garden on the waterfront and it's a great place to take a walk while exploring this area of La Spezia.

The gardens cover a large area and feature a series of paths lined with beautiful trees.

Stretches of garden line the Passeggiata Costantino Morin and you won't find a more pleasant place to relax in La Spezia.

In addition to the alleys, there are also several monuments, statues and water features to admire.

Walking through the historic city centre, the gardens are a must-see and a great place to relax after a sightseeing tour.

The Thaon Bridge in Revel

The waterfront and the port have beautiful structures and monuments; but the Ponte Thaon di Revel is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable.

This elegant modern bridge spans part of the harbour and provides a bridge between the public gardens and Porto Mirabello.

Supported by a series of white cables; the bridge is truly impressive and its central section actually rises to allow large ships to access the harbour.

Walking through the harbour, this bridge is an excellent structure to admire; and the views from the central section are perfect.

Visit the town of Lerici

On the other side of the bay of La Spezia you will find the beautiful coastal town of Lerici.

Just 8 km from La Spezia, Lerici can be reached by boat from Portovenere or along the picturesque coastal road SP331.

The harbour in this town is truly breathtaking; it is amazing to see the hundreds of fishing and sailing boats moored in the water and to watch the locals go about their daily business.

Notable sites include Lerici Castle, the harbour, the Lido and beach and the main square of Via Giuseppe Mazzini.

There are also a range of restaurants, cafes and amenities if you want to stay for the day or enjoy a quality meal by the coast.

Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Neve

Continuing the theme of the green and white striped exteriors; the Church of Our Lady of the Snow has a beautiful façade not dissimilar to the cathedral in Florence.

Two small bell towers flank the sides of the church and the main door has intricate carvings.

Although this church appears to have been created in the Renaissance, it was actually built in the 19th century and completed in 1901. Located on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi; this church is easily accessible and is another fantastic structure to admire in the centre of La Spezia.

Enjoy a meal at La Taverna del Metallo

La Spezia has its fair share of quality restaurants and Taverna del Metallo is extremely popular.

Located near the waterfront, this bar-restaurant is easily accessible and has a fantastic rustic decor with exposed stone and brick walls and rustic wooden tables and chairs.

On the food side, this establishment offers hearty dishes that will leave you feeling satisfied.

In addition, there is a wide selection of beers, ales, lagers and wines to choose from.

Rock and metal music is played here for those who like the genre, but it is tastefully performed and does not assault your senses.

Have breakfast at the Orange Cafe

If you are looking for a place to take a break; have a coffee and relax after a long day of sightseeing; the Orange Cafe is a fantastic place to do so.

Located just a few steps from the public gardens; this cafe is a great place to stop while walking around the city centre.

Breakfasts here are highly recommended and you can choose from pastries; croissants, sandwiches and freshly squeezed orange juice.

In addition, the café offers a wide variety of coffees; teas and juices for those looking for a refreshing drink.

The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is inviting and you can even listen to soft jazz music while indulging in the high quality food and drinks.

La Spezia International Jazz Festival

Every year in July, La Spezia hosts an international jazz festival in association with Lerici and Porto Venere. The festival will celebrate its 54th anniversary this year and over the years it has featured a number of world-renowned jazz musicians performing in indoor and outdoor venues around the city.

The beaches of La Spezia

Of all the attractions in the area, most tourists visit the beaches. Given the diversity of the coastline around La Spezia; its beaches have many different characteristics and can therefore cater for the needs of many different types of tourists; from nature lovers to those who like to relax on developed beaches.

The west coast of La Spezia is very steep and rugged and its long breakwater is close to the sea.

The beaches are mainly rocky and full of pebbles; although there are some sandy spots in Levanto and Monterosso.

The most distinctive features of this area are the small coves that can be seen coming from the sea or along the most hidden paths of the Cinque Terre Park. Here you will find an evocative landscape where nature remains untouched and the sea is crystal clear.

Among the many small, unspoilt coves, it is worth mentioning those along the 7 km of coastline around Tramonti, at the end of the Cinque Terre near La Spezia.

The coastline is very indented and characterised by a succession of promontories, rocks and small bays. The area is less known to tourists than the rest of the Cinque Terre because it is much more difficult to access, but it has incredible natural features and beautiful landscapes.

The East Coast

In contrast, the east coast of La Spezia comprises a continuous stretch of long sandy beaches that begin on the promontory of Caprione, in Ameglia, and continue for several kilometres into Tuscany. There are numerous resorts and free, equipped beaches in the area.

Last but not least, the beach of Punta Corvo, located at the foot of the picturesque town of Montemarcello, which Legambiente has recognised as one of the 11 most attractive beaches in Italy.

The beach can only be reached by sea or by a steep path that starts in Montemarcello. It is made of material from landslides and the sand is dark grey because it comes from the surrounding rocks of the same colour.

What is La Spezia Italy known for?

La Spezia is home to an important Italian naval base and is considered a gateway to the Cinque Terre, the famous chain of five picturesque seaside villages. Many travellers use La Spezia as a base for day trips to the Cinque Terre and other nearby points of interest.

Does La Spezia have a beach?

La Spezia's east coast, on the other hand, has a continuous stretch of long sandy beaches that begin on the promontory of Caprione, in Ameglia, and continue for many kilometres into Tuscany. There are numerous resorts and free, serviced beaches in the area.

Are there direct trains from La Spezia to Florence?

There are 10 direct La Spezia Centrale - Florence trains per day.

How long is the train journey from Pisa to La Spezia?

Approximately 1.5 hours It usually takes about 1 hour 3 minutes to travel the 64 km from Pisa Centrale to La Spezia by train, although you can get there in as little as 42 minutes on the fastest services. You will normally find about 36 trains a day running on this route.

How much does a Florence - La Spezia train ticket cost?

Train tickets from Florence to La Spezia Centrale start at $7.89 one way for a standard class ticket if you book in advance. Same day booking is usually more expensive and costs may vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

How far is it from Florence to the port of La Spezia?

Approximately 90 miles La Spezia, a port town located about 90 miles (146 km) west of Florence is a common transfer point to the Cinque Terre and is easiest to reach by train.

La Spezia Central Station

The easiest way to get to Cinque Terre is by train from La Spezia Central Station. La Spezia is the gateway to the Cinque Terre, as it is connected by train to Rome, Genoa, Milan and Florence.