Levanto Monterosso Vernazza Corniglia Manarola Riomaggiore Portovenere La Spezia Trails Genoa Milan Parma Pisa and Lucca Florence Nice, Monaco and Monte Carlo Amalfi Portofino

Last update: March, 2024.

  1. Best of Cinque Terre
  2. Villages and towns
  3. La Spezia

La Spezia

La Spezia is the closest town to the national park of the Cinque Terre. The population is about 100,000. Although this city has an outlet to the sea, unfortunately there is no beach. Nevertheless, La Spezia is still a practical “starting point” for visiting different parts of Liguria. Indeed, from the train station, located right in the center of town, you can reach the first village of the Cinque Terre in just 8 minutes. It is also very easy to get to other cities such as Pisa, Genoa, Parma, Milan etc from here. In addition, if you’re thinking of a low-cost vacation, this is the place for you: hotel prices here are much lower.

Seafront, La Spezia, Italy

Places of interest in La Spezia

Open this page from your mobile phone and you can start the navigator for any point of interest or monument described here.

1
Giuseppe Garibaldi square, La Spezia, Italy

Following the road that leads to the port from the station, walk down the main street and you will arrive in the center of La Spezia. This is where you will find the medieval quarter, an excellent area for a stroll. If the local architecture is not of interest to you, you will find plenty of shops, boutiques and restaurants along the way.

2
Seafront, La Spezia, Italy

The seaside promenade in La Spezia is quite charming, adorned with palm trees, magnolias and flowers. Tied up in the port you will see numerous yachts and the boats which go to Portovenere and Cinque Terre. In 2024 the boat trip to Portovenere is 8 euro. Nearby there is also a park which is the botanical garden, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the sea.

3

The Cathedral of Christ the King (Cristo Re)

Cathedral of Christ the King, La Spezia, Italy

The cathedral is the main monument and, at the same time, the most unique in La Spezia. It is the work of the architect Adalberto Libera and may seem more like a rocket launching station than a Catholic church. This modern design imparts a shape to the building which is anything but standard, and is vaguely reminiscent of a disc. The Cathedral of Christ the King is however a place of worship and next to it is the chapel of the Madonna Pellegrina.

4

The Castle of San Giorgio

View of the city from the terrace of St. George's Castle, La Spezia, Italy

One of the most interesting attractions is this ancient castle, the walls of which were erected in the XIII century. The entire building was restored at the end of the XX century. Today the “Ubaldo Formentini” Museum is housed in the castle of San Giorgio. There is a collection of artifacts from the Etruscan era.

For 3.50 euro you can visit the castle terrace and with entry to the museum will cost 5.50 euro.

5

Churches in La Spezia

Church of Our Lady of Health, La Spezia, Italy

The architecture of the religious buildings of La Spezia is quite varied. One of the most ancient churches in the city is the abbey church of Santa Maria Assunta (XV century), severely damaged during the Second World War. It was restored, however, during the twentieth century in the fifties. The Catholic Church of Nostra Signora della Salute and the Church of Nostra Signora della Neve are also well worth a visit. Both were built at the beginning of the XX century.

Map of the places to visit in La Spezia

Recommended hotels in La Spezia

Although La Spezia is not part of the Cinque Terre, its location allows you to reach any point of the Cinque Terre easily and quickly, meaning you can also save on an overnight stay. We propose three hotels that we believe are the most convenient because of their position, as well as being among the more economical. Or you can look at the full list of hotels.

Rooms La Cittadella, Italy
Top 5
Romantic
Discount!

Rooms La Cittadella

Price: affordable.
More information

Rooms Golfo Della Luna, Italy
Top 5
Cheap!

Rooms Golfo Della Luna

Price: low.
More information

Hotel Aurora, Italy
Cheap!

Hotel Aurora

Price: low.
More information

On this page you can read visitor comments on all the hotels and compare them. In addition, you should consult:
Low-cost hotels in La Spezia.
Romantic hotels in La Spezia.
Luxury hotels in La Spezia.
Use a filter to search for a hotel in La Spezia.

Parking in La Spezia

Parking at the Palasport, La Spezia, Italy

There are three large car parks in the city and two of them are free. In the one furthest from the center there is always parking available, while the other one, closer in, is usually full in summer. The most convenient parking area, open 24h, is located under the station. But it is not free: it costs 1.50 euro/h (or 1.00 euro/h at night). More information on the page “Visiting by car”.

More photos of La Spezia

Seafront, La Spezia, Italy
Seafront
Cruise ship in the port, view from the road to Riomaggiore, La Spezia, Italy
Cruise ship in the port, view from the road to Riomaggiore
Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument in the park near the waterfront, La Spezia, Italy
Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument in the park near the waterfront
Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, La Spezia, Italy
Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
View at evening from the road to Riomaggiore, La Spezia, Italy
View at evening from the road to Riomaggiore
Cruise ship in the port, La Spezia, Italy
Cruise ship in the port
Street in the town center, La Spezia, Italy
Street in the town center
One of the elevators to St. George's Castle, La Spezia, Italy
One of the elevators to St. George's Castle
Piazza d'Armi Parking area, La Spezia, Italy
Piazza d'Armi Parking area
Parking under the train station, La Spezia, Italy
Parking under the train station
The tourist office at the station, La Spezia, Italy
The tourist office at the station
Mirabello parking area at the port, La Spezia, Italy
Mirabello parking area at the port

Romantic hotels

Bestseller

Rated 5 stars out of 5

7458 Reviews

Price starting at 39 €
Details

Budget hotels

Likely to sell out

Rated 5 stars out of 5

11745 Reviews

Price starting at 110 €
Details

Apartments in Cinque Terre

Likely to sell out

Rated 5 stars out of 5

10547 Reviews

Price starting at 179 €
Details

Text printed from www.bestofcinqueterre.com website