La Spezia

Travel Guide
La Spezia showing a coastal town and a marina
This port town exudes energy with a busy harbor 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 at Castello San Giorgio and Museo Civico Etnografico Giovanni Podenzana or educate yourself on its naval heritage at Museo 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 showing heritage architecture, street scenes and a city

La Spezia Historic Centre

4.5/5(159 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
CDH Hotel La Spezia
CDH Hotel La Spezia
4 out of 5
Via XX Settembre, 81, La Spezia, SP
The price is ¥18,558 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥18,558
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star hotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free breakfast, WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular attractions Ferry ...
8/10 Very Good! (987 reviews)
"Perfect location, steps from Main Street, shopping and dining."

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2024

CDH Hotel La Spezia
Hotel Firenze E Continentale
Hotel Firenze E Continentale
4 out of 5
Via Paleocapa 7, La Spezia, SP
The price is ¥18,625 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥18,625
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (991 reviews)
Goid location by train station
"Nice room, friendly staff breakfast staff couldn't keep up. Ran out of coffee, eggs, etc."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Firenze E Continentale
The Poet Hotel
The Poet Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Roma, 139, La Spezia, SP
The price is ¥24,066 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
¥24,066
per night
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (510 reviews)
"Nice stay"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

The Poet Hotel
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.
Apartment 'Schiara' with Sea View and Private Terrace
Apartment 'Schiara' with Sea View and Private Terrace
Campiglia
Stay at this apartment in La Spezia. Enjoy a patio, a kitchen, and 1 bedroom. Popular attractions Ferry Terminal and La Spezia Cruise Terminal are located nearby. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"This is a very unique and once in a lifetime place to stay. It is a 10-15 minute walk along the cliffs above the sea to reach the historic cottage. It is definitely a bit rustic, but an authentic experience. We visited the towns of Cinque Terre which were very touristy and it was a relief to return ..."

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2023

Apartment 'Schiara' with Sea View and Private Terrace
Renata Holiday Home - Holidays & Tourism in La Spezia - Ampio giardino esterno
Renata Holiday Home - Holidays & Tourism in La Spezia - Ampio giardino esterno
La Spezia
Stay at this vacation home in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Church of Nostra Signora della Salute and Il Faro ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (173 reviews)
The best house in La Spezia
"The host made us feel so welcome and comfortable in her house, the rooms and facilities were more than comfortable. Advice from Renata made travel and sight seeing along the Cinque Terre and Port Venere so enjoyable with lunch recommendations and detailed transport options. We would highly recommend ..."

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

Renata Holiday Home - Holidays & Tourism in La Spezia - Ampio giardino esterno
Apartment/ flat - La spezia
Apartment/ flat - La spezia
La Spezia
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in La Spezia. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Ferry Terminal and La Spezia ...
9/10 Wonderful! (41 reviews)
Great base for exploring Cinque Terre
"Lidia’s place in La Spezia was a perfect spot to base ourselves for exploring the beautiful coastline of the Cinque Terre. It’s less than 10 minutes away from the station also convenient was the little supermarket. The apartment is a little old fashioned in some of its decor but has a good amount ..."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2022

Apartment/ flat - La spezia
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

Things to do

Reviews of La Spezia

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
59
" "5 - Excellent 44.02985074626866%
4 - Good
55
" "4 - Good 41.04477611940298%
3 - Okay
16
" "3 - Okay 11.940298507462687%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 2.985074626865672%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 29, 2020

La Spezia es realy nice but news transportation for ghe best places to visit like Porto Venere and Cinque Terre.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 18, 2020

My favorite location in Italy

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 2, 2019

Great for exploring 5 Terre. Personally I was happy to stay here with more options for shopping and restaurants than the villages themselves. Also, the town itself is beautiful if you walk down by the harbor. This was a surprise, lovely old buildings

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 28, 2019

Good home base for visiting Cinque Terre and Portovenere.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 24, 2019

Worth a visit if you’re travelling to Cinque Terre.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Oct 24, 2019

The city didnt "feel"safe to me..Nothing particular happened to us i just didnt have a good vibe walking around the city..

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