La Spezia, Italy: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

La Spezia, positioned in the far-eastern reaches of Liguria, stands as the region’s largest and most densely populated city. However, its allure lies not only in its intrinsic attractions but also in its proximity to the splendid villages adorning the enchanting Gulf of Poets.

Often, La Spezia merely brushes against the bustling tide of tourists drawn by the illustrious charms of destinations like the Cinque Terre, Lerici, and Porto Venere. Yet, venturing into the heart of La Spezia can yield delightful surprises, thanks to its captivating museums, vibrant city center, and breathtaking vistas that unveil the expansive Gulf, framed against the majestic backdrop of the Apuan Alps.

Embarking on a multi-day sojourn in La Spezia while using it as a base for exploring the surroundings can prove to be a brilliant notion. This approach allows one to fully appreciate the beauty of this Ligurian stretch, while also keeping expenses in check. The city offers an array of affordable lodging options, including budget-friendly hotels and apartments, which facilitates an economical exploration of the region's attractions.

History of La Spezia
30 Best places to See in La Spezia
11 Best Day Trips from La Spezia
Where to Stay in La Spezia
Best Time to Visit La Spezia
How to get to La Spezia

History of La Spezia

Portovenere, a picturesque seaside village on the Italian Riviera, near the Cinque Terre, has a rich and layered history that dates back thousands of years. The area’s strategic position and natural beauty have made it a coveted location throughout the ages.

Ancient and Roman Periods

The history of Portovenere begins in ancient times. It was first inhabited by the Ligures, an ancient Indo-European people who settled in northeastern Italy. Later, the Romans took interest in Portovenere’s strategic maritime position. They named the town Portus Veneris, attributing it to the goddess Venus. The remains of a Roman villa overlooking the bay point to the town’s significance during Roman times.

Medieval Importance

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Portovenere passed through the hands of various powers, including the Byzantines and Lombards. In the Middle Ages, it became increasingly important as a naval base. In the 12th century, the Republic of Genoa took control of Portovenere. The Genoese fortified the town and built the impressive Doria Castle on a rocky promontory to protect the bay from pirates and rival maritime powers like Pisa and Venice.

Genoese Era

Under Genoese rule, Portovenere flourished. The construction of St. Peter’s Church in 1198, a striking Gothic-style church perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the sea, symbolized the town’s prosperity and strategic importance. The church and the castle together formed a formidable defense system for the Gulf of Poets.

Modern Era

Over the centuries, Portovenere’s strategic importance waned, and it transitioned into a fishing village, known for its quaint beauty and spectacular natural surroundings. By the 20th century, it became a renowned destination for artists, writers, and tourists, drawn by its historic charm and stunning landscapes. The town’s picturesque harbor, lined with colorful houses and narrow medieval streets, has made it a favorite subject for painters and photographers.

UNESCO Recognition

In 1997, Portovenere, along with the islands of Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto, and the Cinque Terre, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition has helped preserve the architectural and natural heritage of the area, promoting sustainable tourism and protecting its historical sites.

Cultural Legacy

The Gulf of Poets, named for the literary figures like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley who were inspired by the area’s beauty, adds to the cultural mystique of Portovenere. The Byron’s Grotto, a rocky alcove where the poet is said to have composed poetry, remains a popular site for visitors.

Today, Portovenere remains a blend of its rich historical tapestry and modern touristic appeal, offering a unique glimpse into the past while providing the amenities and experiences sought by contemporary travelers. Its history, architecture, and natural beauty continue to enchant and attract visitors from around the world.

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

Visiting La Spezia for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in La Spezia on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

This website uses affiliate links which earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

More from this area

View overlooking La Spezia — Self-Guided Walking Tour of La Spezia

Self-Guided Walking Tour of La Spezia (2026)

Renting a Car in Italy 2026: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Noto (+Maps)

30 Best places to See in La Spezia

This complete guide to La Spezia not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in La Spezia and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

1. Porto Mirabello

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Palickap

Porto Mirabello is La Spezia’s modern, purpose-built luxury marina, constructed out over the sea and linked to town by the Thaon di Revel pedestrian bridge. Opened in 2010, it’s designed for superyachts—berths can handle vessels up to about 140 meters—and the close-up views of sleek hulls and rigging are part of the draw. What makes it feel different from a typical harbor is the infrastructure: a private-use helipad, a full shipyard for maintenance and refits, and heavy-duty shore services that hint at long stays. For visitors on foot, the wide waterfront walkways, sea-and-mountain vistas across the Gulf, and a cluster of cafés and restaurants create an easy, breezy place to linger.

Location: Porto mirabello, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Daily: 09:00–19:00. | Price: Free. | Website | Distance: 0km

Visiting Porto Mirabello

4.4(1,912)

We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Discover Cars, they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies. Book your rental car here.

2. Monumento a Garibaldi

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Valentino Pescio

Monumento a Garibaldi in La Spezia is a six-ton bronze equestrian statue in the city’s Public Gardens, honoring Giuseppe Garibaldi and his ties to the area. Inaugurated on June 1, 1913 after a design competition that began in 1882, it was unveiled amid days of civic festivities, from concerts to rowing and cycling events. The sculpture, by Antonio Garella, is memorable for its dramatic horse rearing on its hind legs—an unusually daring pose for an equestrian monument—set on a stone base quarried at Romito. Seen from the palm-lined paths, the figure’s silhouette shifts as you circle it, and at night the lighting gives it an extra theatrical edge.

Location: Monumento a Giuseppe Garibaldi, La Spezia, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.1km

Visiting Monumento a Garibaldi

4.4(330)

Here is a complete selection of hotel options in La Spezia. Feel free to review each one and choose the stay that best suits your needs.

3. Parco Salvador Allende

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Américo Toledano

Parco Salvador Allende is La Spezia’s waterfront green space, where public gardens and the city’s original seafront promenade (Paseo Morin) meet the marina and the Gulf of Poets. It matters as a lived-in civic park—part retreat, part meeting place—linking the center to the sea with shady paths, palms, and benches that locals treat like an outdoor living room. Within the gardens, look for the Art Nouveau Music Stage, a pagoda-like structure on cast-iron pillars that once hosted band performances. Families gravitate to the large playground, while others pause by the Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, an equestrian statue with the horse rearing up. In the evening, sea breeze, flowers, and birdsong set the mood.

Location: Parco Salvador Allende, Via Domenico Chiodo, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.1km

Visiting Parco Salvador Allende

4.5(209)

Traveling to a country with a different currency? Avoid ATM transaction fees and pay in local currency with a Wise Card. Having used it for over 5 years, we've saved loads on fees!

4. La Spezia Waterfront

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chabe01

La Spezia Waterfront is a broad seafront promenade along the Gulf of La Spezia where the city’s working harbor and daily leisure life share the same view. The Passeggiata Costantino Morin runs palm- and tree-lined beside the water, with benches, shaded lawns, and small park-like stretches that invite lingering. From the railings you’ll watch ferries, cruise ships, and sailboats threading past artificial inlets and canal-like basins, with the skyline rising behind the marina. Cafés and restaurants face the water, and the mood shifts from breezy daytime strolling to a softly lit evening passeggiata that visitors often mention as especially pleasant.

Location: Viale Italia, 5, 19124 La Spezia SP, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free. | Website | Distance: 0.2km

Visiting La Spezia Waterfront

4.8(45)

Explore La Spezia at your own pace with our self-guided walking tour! Follow our curated route to discover must-see sights and local secrets that makes La Spezia one of the best places to visit in Italy.

5. Teatro Civico

CC BY-SA 3.0 / William Domenichini

Teatro Civico is La Spezia’s principal historic theatre, set on Piazza Mentana and long used as the city’s civic stage for plays, concerts, and festivals. Enter through the three arched doors and you’ll climb a broad staircase into a foyer lined with cipollino marble columns, with bronze busts of Domenico Cortopassi and Emilio Bione in the atrium. Inside, the auditorium keeps its tiers of boxes but is deliberately restrained in decoration, with a couple of white marble dancers marking the sides of the stalls. Look up to the dome: it can open, and its zodiac band nods to the night sky. Reviews note it’s an intimate house, though seating can feel tight.

Location: Teatro Civico, Piazza Mentana, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Monday – Saturday: 09:00–12:30. Wednesday: 09:00–12:30 & 16:00–19:00. | Price: Prices vary by show. | Website | Distance: 0.2km

Visiting Teatro Civico

4.1(291)

6. Ponte Thaon di Revel

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Helge Thomas

Ponte Thaon di Revel is a sleek, cable-stayed pedestrian bridge on La Spezia’s waterfront, linking the city side to Porto Mirabello marina. Opened in 2013 and stretching about 150 meters, its white, sail-like structure nods to the area’s shipbuilding and maritime character. Halfway across, the view opens to the Gulf of La Spezia: forested hills behind, a dense thicket of masts below, and ferries and fishing boats threading through the harbor. The central span can lift to let larger vessels pass, so you may catch the bridge functioning as part of the working port. After dark, subtle lighting turns the crossing into a calm, photogenic promenade.

Location: Ponte Thaon di Revel, Thaon Di Revel, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.2km

Visiting Ponte Thaon di Revel

4.3(644)

7. Thaon di Revel Bridge

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Helge Thomas

Thaon di Revel Bridge is a 150‑metre pedestrian span that arcs across the harbour, linking the Morin promenade with the Mirabella marina. Opened in 2013, its clean contemporary lines—steel and concrete softened with wood—make the crossing feel like a piece of modern design you can walk through, not just look at. Midway, the view widens to ships at berth, ferries coming and going, and the hills curving around the bay. The marina end brings you close to moored yachts, while the promenade side is made for lingering with the sea breeze. At sunset, the bridge becomes a favorite spot for photos and quiet people-watching.

Location: Thaon Di Revel, Italy | Distance: 0.2km

Visiting Thaon di Revel Bridge

4.3(641)

8. Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

Public Domain / Icarus83

Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (CAMeC) is La Spezia’s modern-and-contemporary art museum, created in 2004 to house civic collections tied to the Premio del Golfo and major local donations. It occupies an early-20th-century building on Piazza C. Battisti that began as a school, later served as the city court, was badly damaged in the 1943 bombings, and remained part of the justice system until 1998. Inside, the core holdings include the Cozzani donation (over a thousand works spanning 20th-century painting, drawing, sculpture, and graphics) alongside the Battolini collection linked to a painting prize launched in 1933 by Marinetti and Fillia. Visitors tend to remember the mix of rotating displays and temporary exhibitions—sometimes immersive and loud—set across several floors.

Location: Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Piazza Cesare Battisti, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00–19:00. Monday: Closed. (First Friday of the month) Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00–22:00. Closed on December 25. | Price: Permanent collection: Adults €10; Reduced €5 (under 26, over 65); Free for residents of the Province of La Spezia. Permanent collection + temporary exhibition: Adults €15; Reduced €8 (under 26, over 65); €5 for residents of the Province of La Spezia; Under 18: free. First Sunday of the month: €2. | Website | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

4.3(300)

9. Museo Tecnico Navale della Spezia

Public Domain / Tangopaso

Museo Tecnico Navale della Spezia is a technical naval museum beside the entrance to La Spezia’s Military Arsenal, grounding the city’s identity as a working Italian Navy hub. Inside, dense galleries of ship models trace design changes from the sailing era through World War II, including a room of scale models spanning roughly 1860–1910. Visitors linger over unusual survivals: carved ship figureheads from the 15th–17th centuries (including the eerie Atalanta recovered from the Atlantic in 1866) and assault-craft relics such as the WWI Grillo and the WWII “Maiale” manned torpedo. Displays also nod to innovation at sea, with material linked to Marconi’s early wireless experiments, and a small garden with large naval hardware.

Location: Museo Tecnico Navale della Spezia, Viale Giovanni Amendola, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Daily: 08:30–19:30. Closed on Wednesday. Closed on January 1, August 15, December 25. | Price: Check official website. | Website | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Museo Tecnico Navale della Spezia

4.4(2,782)

10. Museo Tecnico Navale

Public Domain / Tangopaso

Museo Tecnico Navale is a naval-history museum beside the gates of the Naval Arsenal, reflecting the city’s rise as a strategic base from the 1860s onward. Its core collection traces back to 18th-century Savoy holdings later moved here in 1870, and the galleries still feel like a working archive of seafaring power. Visitors linger over expressive 18th- and 19th-century wooden figureheads, meticulous ship models charting design changes, and wartime hardware such as torpedoes and submarine components. A standout section covers early radio communications, including equipment associated with Guglielmo Marconi. Reviews often note the depth of the collection and that many labels are in English, though not all.

Location: Technical Naval Museum of Spezia, Viale Giovanni Amendola, La Spezia, Italy | Hours: Daily 08:30am to 07:30pm. Closed Tuesdays | Price: €1.55 | Website | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Museo Tecnico Navale

4.4(2,768)

11. CAMeC - Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

Public Domain / Icarus83

CAMeC – Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea is a modern-and-contemporary art museum set inside a repurposed 1920s courthouse, where big, clean-lined rooms and generous light suit painting, sculpture, drawings, and graphic works. The permanent displays are anchored by three strands: the vast Cozzani donation (over a thousand works), the complementary Battolini holdings, and the Premio del Golfo collection tied to a national painting prize launched in 1933 under futurist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and later revived. Rotating exhibitions can shift the mood dramatically—visitors mention everything from Fontana and Morandi shows to immersive, speaker-heavy installations. Reviews praise the collection’s range, though some note a stricter, less family-friendly atmosphere.

Location: CAMeC - Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Piazza Cesare Battisti, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11.00 - 18.00 | Price: € 5.00 | Website | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting CAMeC - Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

4.2(294)

12. Chiesa Abbaziale di Santa Maria Assunta

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Davide Papalini

In La Spezia’s historic center on Piazza Giulio Beverini, the Chiesa Abbaziale di Santa Maria Assunta is a major Catholic church that served as the city’s pro-cathedral from 1929 to 1975. Inside, three naves divided by columns lead to raised chapels flanking the presbytery, including the Misericordia and Immaculate Conception chapels, with additional chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart, the Crucifix, and San Giuseppe, the city’s patron. Look up to the vaulting, where gray stone ribs stand out against pale plaster. The walls double as a small repository of artworks rescued from churches altered or lost during La Spezia’s expansion, including a 1642 canvas of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes by Giovan Battista Casone. The wartime-damaged façade was rebuilt with banded colored marble and three marble lunette reliefs above the portals.

Location: Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta, Via della Canonica, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Daily: 08:00–19:00. | Price: Free; donations appreciated. | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Chiesa Abbaziale di Santa Maria Assunta

4.3(81)

13. Museo Civico Etnografico Giovanni Podenzana

CC BY-SA 3.0 / sailko

Museo Civico Etnografico Giovanni Podenzana is La Spezia’s ethnographic museum, housed in the former 15th-century Oratory of San Bernardino near the old city walls, and it matters for how clearly it captures everyday life in historic Lunigiana alongside non-European collections. The permanent displays span rural tools, household furnishings, votive objects, and sections on superstition and popular healing, with artifacts largely dating from the 18th to early 20th centuries. Standout cases include carved wooden cradles from the Pontremoli area and engagement-era spinning and weaving tools, plus 19th-century textiles and costumes—among them blue “budana” cloth sometimes described as a precursor to jeans. Visitors often remember the quiet, compact rooms and the label-heavy storytelling (mostly in Italian).

Location: Museo civico etnografico Giovanni Podenzana, Via del Prione, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 10:00–12:30 & 16:00–19:00. Sunday: 10:30–18:00. Closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. | Price: Check official website. | Website | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Museo Civico Etnografico Giovanni Podenzana

4.5(96)

14. Palazzo delle Poste

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Formkurve92 (Diskussion)

Palazzo delle Poste is La Spezia’s central post office, a bold civic building by Angiolo Mazzoni inaugurated in 1933 on Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, and it still reads as a statement of modern infrastructure. From the square you notice the U-shaped mass lifted above street level, reached by a broad travertine staircase, and the façade’s rhythm of nine tall arches that pull your eye upward. Look for the square clock tower with arched openings and vertical glass strips, plus the symmetrical stair connections down toward Via XX Settembre and a Futurist-style fountain beside them. When access is possible, the interior surprises with polychrome marbles (including Portoro) and custom details like Venini Murano chandeliers and a Futurist mosaic in the tower.

Location: Palazzo delle Poste, Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Monday – Friday: 08:20–19:05. Saturday: 08:20–12:35. Sunday: Closed. | Price: Free. | Website | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Palazzo delle Poste

3.9(86)

15. Via Del Prione

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chabe01

Via del Prione is La Spezia’s straight, pedestrian “carugio” that runs through the historic center and still functions as the city’s everyday meeting place. Locals call it Carugio Drito, and the name “Prione” traces back to a stone pulpit (from the Genoese word for stone) where town criers once read announcements during public gatherings. What you notice now is the steady flow of shoppers and day-trippers between boutiques, bakeries, artisan shops, gelaterias, and small cafés set into narrow, closely packed buildings. It’s also a good street for looking up: doorways, stonework, and subtle shifts in façades reward a slower pace. A curious footnote: Richard Wagner is said to have found inspiration here while staying in town.

Location: Via del Prione, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Via Del Prione

3.9(305)

16. Scalinata San Giorgio

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jacopo Bertella

Scalinata San Giorgio is a pedestrian staircase in La Spezia that climbs from the lower center up toward the Castello di San Giorgio hill, showing how the city’s steep terrain shaped everyday movement. It’s part of a network of more than twenty major stairways that thread through neighborhoods lined with Art Nouveau-era buildings and older facades. Underfoot, you’ll notice changing surfaces—some steps in sandstone, others in brick—and, in places, the shade of mature trees that softens the ascent. As you gain height, the view opens in stages to rooftops and the Gulf of La Spezia, with photo-worthy turns mid-climb rather than a single lookout.

Location: Scalinata San Giorgio, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Scalinata San Giorgio

3.9(70)

17. San Giorgio Castle

Public Domain / Tangopaso

Perched on the hill above the old town, San Giorgio Castle is a layered medieval fortress built from a 1262 Fieschi watchtower and reshaped by Genoese rebuilds, including a 15th-century wing adapted for early firearms and the later “Bastia” outwork. Restoration in the late 20th century reopened ramparts and revealed older masonry beneath the floors, while the entrance displays Genoese coats-of-arms and a relief of St. George and the dragon. Inside, the Archaeological Museum moves from Neolithic tools and pottery to a strong Roman section from nearby Luni—marble portraits, coins, and household objects. The upper terraces are what linger: arrow slits, stone walls, and wide views over the Gulf of Poets.

Location: Castello San Giorgio, Via XXVII Marzo, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Winter: from Wednesday to Sunday 10.00-12.30 / 14-17; Tuesday 10-17. Spring/Autumn: Monday to Sunday 10:00-12:30 / 14:00 - 17:00 Summer: Monday to Sunday 10:30-17:00. | Price: Adult:€ 5.50 | Website | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting San Giorgio Castle

4.4(3,459)

18. La Spezia Cruise Terminal

Public Domain / Icarus83

La Spezia Cruise Terminal is the city’s main cruise arrival point on the Ligurian coast, where ships call almost daily and passengers funnel ashore before dispersing across the region. Most disembark at Molo Garibaldi, a working dock area linked to the terminal by free shuttle buses that run in just a few minutes. What visitors notice first is the scale of the liners sitting in an active port that still handles cargo, with pedestrian access limited in parts for safety. For a clearer view, many people head to the harbor promenade, where the ships dominate the waterfront against the backdrop of the Ligurian Alps.

Location: Cruise Terminal La Spezia, Largo Michele Fiorillo, La Spezia, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Website | Distance: 0.6km

Visiting La Spezia Cruise Terminal

19. Piazza del Mercato

Public Domain / Icarus83

Piazza del Mercato (often called Piazza Cavour) is La Spezia’s everyday market square, where the city’s coastal food culture is on full display each morning except Sundays. Under a contemporary canopy with a wave-like roof and two glass “sails,” stalls crowd together with seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers, cheeses, and cured meats. The fish section is the most memorable: gleaming counters of the day’s catch that make the Gulf of Poets feel close at hand. Set at the end of pedestrian Cavour Avenue, it’s a lively, local-feeling stop where you’ll brush shoulders with residents shopping for dinner and sniff out picnic-worthy Ligurian staples.

Location: Piazza Cavour, La Spezia, Italy | Hours: Monday – Saturday: 07:30–13:30. Sunday: Closed. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.6km

Visiting Piazza del Mercato

3.8(69)

20. Civic Museum of the Seal

La Spezia Museo del Sigillo Palazzina delle Arti

Public Domain / Cribegh

The Civic Museum of the Seal (Museo Civico del Sigillo) in La Spezia, Italy, is a small museum inside the 17th-century Paolotti convent devoted to seals and the decorative arts that grew from major donations beginning in 2000. Visitors move through cases of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance seals alongside finely worked goldsmith pieces and “small monuments,” including bronze statuettes and ornate metal handles with allegorical scenes. The Liberty-period rooms stand out for their materials—silver, ivory, tortoiseshell, semi-precious stones, porcelain, bronze, and even shells—showing how styles shifted into sinuous early-1900s design. Look for specific showpieces like the 18th-century ivory Marchant seal and a Bonapartist seal referencing Napoleon’s tomb; some travelers note that explanations can feel sparse in English.

Location: Via del Prione, 236, La Spezia, SP, Liguria, Italy | Hours: Daily: 10:00 - 18:00 Closed Monday | Price: Adults: €4 | Website | Distance: 0.7km

Visiting Civic Museum of the Seal

4.3(93)

21. Amedeo Lia Museum

CC BY-SA 3.0 / sailko

La Spezia’s Museo Civico Amedeo Lia is a compact art museum built around the private collection donated by local collector Amedeo Lia, spanning roughly a thousand objects from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Rooms move from devotional panels and Renaissance paintings to bronzes, ceramics, and glass, with canvases attributed to names such as Titian, Tintoretto, Bellini, Raphael, and Canaletto. The atmospheric cloister courtyard adds a quiet pause between galleries, while the “Chamber of Marvels” gathers curious artifacts in the spirit of an old Wunderkammer. Some visitors note that labels and explanations can feel sparse—especially in English—so you end up looking closely and letting the objects do the talking.

Location: Museo Civico Amedeo Lia, Via del Prione, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Daily 10:00 - 18:00 Closed Mondays | Price: Adults: €9.00 | Website | Distance: 0.7km

Visiting Amedeo Lia Museum

4.3(66)

22. Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Neve

Parrocchia Santuario Nostra Signora della Neve – Salesiani Don Bosco

Public Domain / Tangopaso

Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Neve is a neo-Romanesque Salesian parish church in central La Spezia, valued as a living place of worship as much as an architectural landmark. Visitors first notice the green-and-white striped façade, with a small porch framing the entrance and mosaics that include Our Lady of the Snows, plus side lunettes depicting St. Francis de Sales and St. John Bosco. Inside, the three-aisled space is carried by sturdy pillars and red Verona marble columns, beneath a deep-blue coffered ceiling dotted with gold stars. Byzantine-leaning frescoes and an apse with an ambulatory create a surprisingly grand finish for a church many describe as calm and welcoming.

Location: Viale Giuseppe Garibaldi, 65, 19122 La Spezia SP, Italy | Hours: Check official website. | Price: Free; donations appreciated. | Website | Distance: 0.9km

Visiting Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Neve

4.4(233)

23. Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi

CC BY-SA 4.0 / ItzANormalFioko

Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is a modern, high-energy square in La Spezia, a few minutes’ walk from the central train station where several key streets converge. Its focal point is the Dialogue Fountain, an abstract white Carrara-marble sculpture unveiled in 2002: two sail-like forms twist together above the water, with a central jet spilling down into the basin. A smooth marble ring around the fountain doubles as informal seating, so the space feels like a practical meeting point as much as an artwork. After dark, subtle lighting makes the pale stone glow while commuters, café-goers, and shoppers stream through on their way toward Via del Prione.

Location: Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.9km

Visiting Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi

3.2(155)

24. Corso Cavour

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Palickap

Corso Cavour is La Spezia’s main commercial artery, a straight, pedestrian-friendly avenue that doubles as a daily meeting place for locals and a practical route for visitors. It runs from the Garibaldi Monument toward La Spezia Centrale, cutting through the city’s central market, where a covered open-air hall spills with produce, cheeses, meats, fish, and clothing stalls. Along the street you’ll notice a steady rhythm of espresso stops, casual lunches, and early-evening aperitivo, framed by colorful facades and late-19th- to early-20th-century city architecture. More than a single “sight,” it’s a clear snapshot of how the port city moves, shops, and socializes.

Location: Corso Cavour, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours. | Price: Free. | Distance: 0.9km

Visiting Corso Cavour

3.7(107)

25. Parco XXV Aprile

Public Domain / Cribegh

Parco XXV Aprile (often called Parco della Maggiolina) is a 7.7-acre public park in La Spezia, a much-used “green lung” for the traffic-heavy Canaletto area, stretching along Viale Italia and split between entrances near Via Prosperi and Corso Nazionale. Visitors notice it as a lived-in neighborhood space: shaded paths for walking, fountains and drinking water, benches, and a dedicated dog area where locals let pets run. Families gravitate to the large Maggiolina playground, which mixes classic funfair rides—bumper cars, a horse carousel, and swan fishing—with trampolines, inflatables, and themed scenes like a Wild West set. In summer, evening openings and small art or photo exhibitions add extra buzz.

Location: Parco XXV Aprile, Corso Nazionale, La Spezia, SP, Italy | Hours: Daily: 08:00–18:00. | Price: Free. | Website | Distance: 2.2km

Visiting Parco XXV Aprile

4.1(1,636)

26. Roman Villa of Varignano

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Donatella Chiapponi

The Roman Villa of Varignano is an expansive coastal archaeological site that reveals how a Roman estate could be both a working farm and a refined retreat. Spread over roughly 30,000 square metres in a quiet valley of olive groves with sea views, it preserves the practical heart of the property: Sullan-era olive-oil presses and processing areas where you can trace production from crushing to storage. Wandering the ruins, you’ll also spot signs of comfort and status—remains of a bath complex, a large cistern, and fragments of polychrome mosaics from later upgrades. The layers of construction, from the late 2nd century BC through at least the 4th century AD, make the layout feel like a timeline you can walk.

Location: Varignano Roman Villa, Via Varignano Vecchio, Le Grazie, Portovenere, SP, Italy | Distance: 4.5km

Visiting Roman Villa of Varignano

4.5(264)

27. Portovenere

Porto Venere, a hidden gem in the heart of Liguria, Italy, sits just a stone's throw away from the renowned Cinque Terre. Despite its prestigious UNESCO World Heritage site designation and its position as a scenic marvel on the Gulf of the Poets, this enchanting town remains somewhat undiscovered by the multitude of global travellers converging on the Cinque Terre.…

Visiting Portovenere

28. Porta del Borgo, Porto Venere

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Palickap

Porta del Borgo is the medieval gate that marks the entrance to Porto Venere’s old town near La Spezia, a stone threshold that still feels like a checkpoint into the village’s tight lanes. Above the arch you can spot the Latin inscription “Colonia Januensis 1113,” recalling the year Genoa fortified the settlement during its rivalry with Pisa. Stepping through, you’re immediately funneled into Capellini Street, the main carruggio: a narrow cobbled corridor where tall tower houses press close and colorful façades frame slivers of sea. The first impressions are practical and lively—small shops, cafés, and quick seafood bites—before the street climbs gently inward.

Location: Porta del Borgo, Porto Venere, SP, Italy | Distance: 5.7km

Visiting Porta del Borgo, Porto Venere

4.3(40)

29. Castello Doria

CC BY-SA 2.5 / Lorenzo Maffucci

Castello Doria crowns Porto Venere from a rocky height, a pentagonal Genoese fortress built and reshaped from the 12th through the 17th centuries during the long rivalry with Pisa. Its three outward bastions and a circular northern lookout tower make the military geometry easy to read even at a glance. Enter through a heavy stone portal into a vaulted passage, then climb to the Hypostyle Hall, where thick pillars support an unexpectedly cavernous interior. The most lasting impression is the exposure: terraces and ramparts open to wide views over the Gulf of Poets, the island-dotted sea, and the village roofs far below. After restoration in the 1970s, it also hosts small exhibitions and community events.

Location: Via dei Mulini, 19025 Porto Venere, SP, Italy | Hours: Daily 10:00 to 17:30 | Price: €5.00 | Website | Distance: 5.8km

Visiting Castello Doria

4.3(849)

30. Lord Byron's Grotto

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Andrea

Lord Byron’s Grotto (Grotta di Byron) is a sea-carved cavity cut into the cliffs at Portovenere, tucked below the fortress walls and beside the Church of St. Peter. What stays with visitors is the abrupt shift from medieval stonework to raw geology: waves funnel into a narrow inlet, throwing salt spray against dark rock. The water often turns deep blue or green depending on sun and swell, and in calm conditions you can peer into tide-level life or take a short swim beneath the cliffs. Its older “Harpy Cave” name and the Byron legend—linked to his long swim across the gulf toward Lerici—add a romantic edge to an otherwise elemental seascape, especially at sunset.

Location: Grotta di Lord Byron, SP530, Porto Venere, Portovenere SP, Liguria, Italy | Hours: Always accessible (outdoor coastal area). | Price: Free. | Distance: 5.9km

Visiting Lord Byron's Grotto

4.8(1,514)

Best Day Trips from La Spezia

A day trip from La Spezia offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around La Spezia provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

1. Church of San Pietro, Porto Venere

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Davide Papalini

The Church of San Pietro is one of the must-see places in Porto Venere, standing boldly on a rocky promontory that overlooks the glittering Gulf of Poets. With origins stretching back to an ancient temple of Venus Erycina, the church blends mythology, medieval devotion, and Genoese architectural flourishes into one unforgettable landmark. Its dramatic setting at the village’s edge makes…

Location: Chiesa di San Pietro in Portovenere, Piazza Lazzaro Spallanzani, Porto Venere, SP, Italy | Website | Distance: 6.1km

Visiting Church of San Pietro, Porto Venere

2. Regional Natural Park, Porto Venere

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Elio Pallard

The Porto Venere Regional Natural Park is one of the best places to visit in Porto Venere, offering a remarkable fusion of nature, geology, and cultural heritage. Stretching across the promontory of Porto Venere, the Albana Valley, and the protected marine area around the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, this extraordinary landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage…

Location: Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, Porto Venere, SP, Italy | Website | Distance: 6.8km

Visiting Regional Natural Park, Porto Venere

3. Riomaggiore

CC BY-SA 2.0 / chensiyuan

The Via dell'Amore is a pathway that links Riomaggiore to its frazione, Manarola, which is also a part of the Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore, situated in a small valley within the Liguria region of Italy, serves as the southernmost village among the five Cinque Terre when traveling north from La Spezia. Dating back to the early thirteenth century, this village is…

Visiting Riomaggiore

4. Manarola

CC BY-SA 2.0 / chensiyuan

Manarola, known as Manaea in the local dialect, is a small town located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It is a frazione of the municipality of Riomaggiore and is renowned as one of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists. Despite being the second-smallest town in the area, it has a population of 353. The…

Visiting Manarola

5. Lerici

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Evelyscher

Lerici stands as a cherished and renowned tourist destination along the captivating Riviera di Levante, celebrated for its stunning beaches and picturesque vistas. For those seeking a seaside escape on the Riviera di Levante, where basking under the sun and the allure of the sea are paramount, Lerici emerges as the ideal destination. Each day beckons a new and distinct…

Visiting Lerici

6. Corniglia

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Cs.adri

Corniglia, known as Corniggia in Ligurian and locally referred to as Curnigia (citation needed), is a hamlet within the comune of Vernazza in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It has a population of approximately 150 people as of 2016. Unlike the other localities of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not situated directly by the sea. Instead, it…

Visiting Corniglia

7. Vernazza

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Med Cruise Guide

Vernazza, known as Vernassa in Ligurian and Vernasa in the local dialect, and derived from the Latin name Vulnetia, is a town and comune situated in the province of La Spezia, in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns that collectively form the renowned Cinque Terre region. As the fourth town when traveling north,…

Visiting Vernazza

8. Monterosso al Mare

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Ilya Orehov

Monterosso al Mare, referred to as Munterussu in Ligurian, is a town and comune situated in the province of La Spezia, within the Liguria region of Northern Italy. It is one of the five villages comprising the Cinque Terre. Located at the centre of a small natural gulf, protected by a small artificial reef to the east of Punta Mesco…

Visiting Monterosso al Mare

9. Portofino

Located to the south of the Italian city of Genoa, Portofino stands out as one of the most captivating destinations to explore in Northern Italy. Despite its relatively small size, it exudes an entirely picturesque and charming atmosphere. There are numerous excellent activities to engage in while in Portofino, all along the coastline. Our fondness for traveling in Italy is…

Visiting Portofino

10. Santa Margherita Ligure

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Michal Osmenda

Santa Margherita Ligure is situated on the Gulf of Tigullio, nestled between Rapallo and Portofino. Santa Margherita Ligure stands as one of Liguria's most renowned and beloved tourist destinations, capturing the hearts of visitors from around the world. Nestled within a protective bay along the stunning coast, this coastal town is often referred to as the "Pearl of Tigullio." This…

Visiting Santa Margherita Ligure

11. Camogli

Camogli stands out as one of the most enchanting and romantic towns in the Golfo Paradiso, nestled along the Riviera di Levante. This seaside village's allure lies in its breath-taking panorama: a picturesque marina embraced by historic buildings adorned with vibrant hues that line the seafront, complemented by the evocative remains of a medieval castle. The stunning seaside promenade, reminiscent of…

Visiting Camogli

Where to Stay in La Spezia

Staying near the harbor or train station provides easy access to boats and trains for exploring Cinque Terre, with modern hotels and budget-friendly accommodations available. For a more scenic stay, accommodations along the waterfront offer beautiful sea views and a more relaxed atmosphere.

A 2 to 3-day stay is ideal for using La Spezia as a base to visit Cinque Terre, Portovenere, and Lerici. A 4-day stay allows time for exploring the city’s naval museum, enjoying local seafood, and taking boat trips along the Ligurian coast.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in La Spezia. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

La Spezia Accommodation Map

Best Time to Visit La Spezia

La Spezia, located in the Liguria region of Italy, is a bustling port city known for its maritime history, charming waterfront, and proximity to the stunning Cinque Terre coastline. Here’s a guide to the best time to visit La Spezia:

Spring (March to May): Spring is a wonderful time to visit La Spezia as the weather begins to warm up, and the surrounding hillsides burst into bloom with colorful flowers and greenery. This season is ideal for exploring the city’s historic center, strolling along the waterfront promenade, and enjoying panoramic views of the Gulf of La Spezia. Spring also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking in the nearby Cinque Terre National Park and boat trips to the picturesque villages of Portovenere and Lerici.
Summer (June to August): Summer is peak tourist season in La Spezia, with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. This is the best time to enjoy La Spezia’s beautiful beaches, including the sandy shores of San Terenzo and the rocky coves of the Gulf of Poets. Summer also brings a variety of cultural events and festivals to La Spezia, including music concerts, art exhibitions, and food fairs. However, be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices during this time.
Fall (September to November): Fall is another great time to visit La Spezia, as the weather remains pleasant, and the summer crowds begin to dissipate. This season is ideal for exploring the city’s museums and galleries, such as the Naval Museum and the Amedeo Lia Museum, without the long lines. Fall also offers opportunities for food and wine tasting, as well as olive oil tours, in the surrounding countryside.
Winter (December to February): Winter in La Spezia is relatively quiet, with fewer tourists and cooler temperatures. While the weather may be cooler, winter still offers opportunities for scenic walks along the waterfront, exploring the city’s historic landmarks, and enjoying cozy meals in local restaurants. Winter is also a great time to visit La Spezia’s indoor attractions, such as the Palazzo delle Arti, which hosts exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year.

Ultimately, the best time to visit La Spezia depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and activities. Whether you’re interested in beach relaxation, cultural experiences, or outdoor adventures, La Spezia has something to offer for every traveler throughout the year.

Annual Weather Overview

January 10°C
February 11°C
March 13°C
April 16°C
May 19°C
June 24°C
July 28°C
August 27°C
September 23°C
October 19°C
November 14°C
December 11°C

How to get to La Spezia

You can easily travel to La Spezia by various means of transportation:

Flying to La Spezia: Although La Spezia doesn't have its airport, two nearby airports serve the region. Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei) is located 85 kilometers away, while Genoa Airport (Cristoforo Colombo) is 110 kilometers away. Both airports offer flights to major Italian and European cities and are accessible by car or train.

Visiting La Spezia by Train: La Spezia boasts an important railway station, La Spezia Centrale, which serves as a hub for various railway lines, including the La Spezia – Parma and Genoa – Rome routes. The city also features two additional train stations, La Spezia Migliarina and Ca' di Boschetti, facilitating travel within the city. Fourteen other stations within the province of La Spezia connect the city to destinations like Cinque Terre.

Visiting La Spezia by Car: La Spezia is easily accessible by road via state roads 62 'Cisa,' linking the region with Emilia and northern Italy, and state road 1 'Aurelia,' connecting Rome to Ventimiglia. Nearby motorways A15 (Parma – La Spezia) and A12 (Genoa – Livorno) provide additional road access.

These transportation options offer convenient ways to reach La Spezia and explore its surrounding attractions along the stunning Ligurian coastline.

La Spezia, Italy: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

Table of Contents

History of La Spezia

Ancient and Roman Periods

Medieval Importance

Genoese Era

Modern Era

UNESCO Recognition

Cultural Legacy

Moira & Andy

Self-Guided Walking Tour of La Spezia (2026)

Renting a Car in Italy 2026: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Noto (+Maps)

1. Porto Mirabello

2. Monumento a Garibaldi

3. Parco Salvador Allende

4. La Spezia Waterfront

5. Teatro Civico

6. Ponte Thaon di Revel

7. Thaon di Revel Bridge

8. Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

9. Museo Tecnico Navale della Spezia

10. Museo Tecnico Navale

11. CAMeC - Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

12. Chiesa Abbaziale di Santa Maria Assunta

13. Museo Civico Etnografico Giovanni Podenzana

14. Palazzo delle Poste

15. Via Del Prione

16. Scalinata San Giorgio

17. San Giorgio Castle

18. La Spezia Cruise Terminal

19. Piazza del Mercato

20. Civic Museum of the Seal

21. Amedeo Lia Museum

22. Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Neve

23. Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi

24. Corso Cavour

25. Parco XXV Aprile

26. Roman Villa of Varignano

27. Portovenere

28. Porta del Borgo, Porto Venere

29. Castello Doria

30. Lord Byron's Grotto

1. Church of San Pietro, Porto Venere

2. Regional Natural Park, Porto Venere

3. Riomaggiore

4. Manarola

5. Lerici

6. Corniglia

7. Vernazza

8. Monterosso al Mare

9. Portofino

10. Santa Margherita Ligure

11. Camogli

La Spezia Accommodation Map

Annual Weather Overview

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Sorrento (2026)

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Siena (2026)

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Messina (2026)

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Matera (2026)

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Lecce (2026)

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Catania (2026)