La Spezia Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cinque Terre which includes a coastal town, night scenes and a marina
La Spezia which includes a marina and a coastal town
La Spezia featuring boating, a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Castello San Giorgio featuring a city
La Spezia

This port town exudes energy with a busy harbour and streets buzzing with local activity. It’s also home to places of historic and cultural interest.

Hop off the tourist trail and experience the lively atmosphere of this busy La Spezia. Visitors use this naval city as a gateway to the picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre coast. A pretty harbor, art nouveau-style villas, appealing museums and interesting churches also make La Spezia a worthy destination on its own.

The city is in an attractive setting, situated between the olive tree-strewn hills of the Ligurian Apennines and the deep blue waters of the Gulf of La Spezia. It is easy to navigate the city on foot as it has a pedestrianized grid system. Head to the deep-water harbor and watch the ferrymen, fishermen and tourists dock at the bustling port. Then stroll along the palm-fringed promenade for views of the beautiful craggy coast.

La Spezia has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman settlements in this area. Learn about its varied history at the town’s museums. Examine historical artifacts atCastello San GiorgioandMuseo Civico Etnografico Giovanni Podenzanaor educate yourself on its naval heritage atMuseo Tecnico Navale.

Wind your way through the narrow lanes of La Spezia’s Old Town to discover several sacred buildings including Cattedrale di Cristo Re, the Church of Santi Giovanni e Agostino and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The latter is home to an impressive array of renowned religious artworks.

Art lovers should also pay a visit to the popular Museo Civico Amedeo Lia to admire fine Renaissance pieces from Tintoretto, Titian and others. Stop in the covered market at Piazza Cavour to pick up snacks or supplies for dinner.

Take the train or drive from major Italian cities to reach La Spezia. Leave your car here and continue to Cinque Terre for a daytrip or longer visit with a regional hike-and-ride rail trip year-round or passenger ferry in the summer.

With great museums and an exciting urban ambience, La Spezia is a perfect destination for those seeking an authentic experience of Mediterranean life.

Where to stay in La Spezia

Castello San Giorgio featuring heritage architecture, a city and street scenes

La Spezia Historic Centre

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Unique features of La Spezia Historic Centre include the cafes and waterfront views. Make a stop by Castello San Giorgio or Piazza Garibaldi while you're exploring the area.

La Spezia Historic Centre
The Poet Hotel
The Poet Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Roma, 139, La Spezia, SP
The price is NZ$427 per night from 21 May to 22 May
NZ$427
21 May - 22 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (751 reviews)
"The property and staff were great. The location is close to everything (dining,shopping and train station) and rooms were modern and clean."

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

The Poet Hotel
AllegroItalia La Spezia
AllegroItalia La Spezia
3 out of 5
Piazzale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 1, La Spezia, SP
The price is NZ$339 per night from 24 May to 25 May
NZ$339
24 May - 25 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach property in La Spezia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (163 reviews)
"The staff were lovely, very clean ,a reasonable breakfast and they could cater for gluten free, it would be nice if there had been more fresh fruit. An easy walk into town , uphill coming back but not too bad."

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

AllegroItalia La Spezia
Hotel Firenze E Continentale
Hotel Firenze E Continentale
4 out of 5
Via Paleocapa 7, La Spezia, SP
The price is NZ$394 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
NZ$394
10 June - 11 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (993 reviews)
"Staff was super helpful and inviting. Loved this area. It was a cute town with great markets, shopping and friendly people. Right near train station and a couple of stops from cinque terra. Hotel was so beautiful and unique. Would love to go back."

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2025

Hotel Firenze E Continentale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Elegant Apartments 5 Terre La Spezia
Elegant Apartments 5 Terre La Spezia
Via Del Prione 144, La Spezia, SP
Stay at this aparthotel in La Spezia. Enjoy parking (surcharge), premium bedding, and hydromassage showerheads. Popular attractions Ferry Terminal and La Spezia ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (35 reviews)
"We were so happy with the location of the property, right on the main walking street near shops and restaurants and close enough to walk to the train station. The after hours receptionist was wonderful! We would stay here again."

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 2025

Elegant Apartments 5 Terre La Spezia
HOTIDAY Apartment Collection - La Spezia
HOTIDAY Apartment Collection - La Spezia
Piazzale Papa Giovanni XXIII 1, La Spezia, SP
Stay at this aparthotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions La Spezia Cruise Terminal and Ferry ...
HOTIDAY Apartment Collection - La Spezia
Villa Marinasco by VILLASRETREATS Whirlpool Seaview, WiFi, BBQ near 5 Terre
Villa Marinasco by VILLASRETREATS Whirlpool Seaview, WiFi, BBQ near 5 Terre
La Spezia
Book a stay at this golf villa in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Popular attractions La Spezia Cruise Terminal and Ferry Terminal ...
Large villa , Excellent and peaceful location to relax
"Super helpful host nothing too much trouble with suggestions and help for restaurants and attractions. Such a amazing views from the many terraces in a amazing location"

Reviewed on 10 Aug. 2022

Villa Marinasco by VILLASRETREATS Whirlpool Seaview, WiFi, BBQ near 5 Terre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of La Spezia

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 41%
4 - Good
7
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Frank&Giulia

It’s magnificent and should be on everyone’s bucket list

3/5 - Okay

Prag

Good location

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It was a quaint town which we loved but we only stayed there to visit cinque terre but next time I would stay in Riomaggiore. It looked like a really nice place

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

We were here only as a stopping off point before we spent 3 nights in Manarola. In future I would spend all our time in Manarola and not stay overnight in La Spezia

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We were very surprised about La Spezia as we had not heard a lot about it. Surprisingly beautiful and a great location to start while visiting Cinque Terra.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

La Spezia is a must visit location and the Cinque Terre. AMAZING. Can’t wait to return one day.

Cities near La Spezia