Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | La Spezia is a port city in Liguria in northern Italy and a common starting point for trips to Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Pisa and Florence. We arrived here on the Freedom of the Seas cruise ship, but instead of going on a long excursion we chose to spend the day in La Spezia itself. It was a quiet day with walks, Castello di San Giorgio and nice views of the city and the port.
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What is La Spezia?
La Spezia is a port city in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, near the border with Tuscany. The city is located on the deep Gulf of Spezia, also known as the Gulf of Spezia. Bay of Poets, and has long had great importance as both a trading and naval port.
For many travelers, La Spezia is above all a starting point for visiting Cinque Terre, which is located just north of the city. From here it is easy to take the train to the five famous coastal villages. Also beautiful Portovenere is close.
La Spezia may not be as picturesque as its famous neighbors, but the city has a nice city center, a lively harbor, and several attractions. For us, it was a nice and much quieter alternative to going on a long excursion during our cruise stop.
A day in La Spezia – our cruise stop
Every time the cruise ship stops in a port, you can choose whether to stay on board, hang out in the immediate area or travel on to a larger city. The Freedom of the Seas stops very close by Marseille and a very short train journey from Nice, but for the stops in La Spezia (Florence/Pisa) and Civitavecchia (Rome) the journey time from the ship is longer.
If you choose to book the shipping company's own tours, you get a lift and a guide, and you don't have to worry about getting back in time. On the other hand, this means that you will have to pay significantly more than if you are travelling on your own. Travelling on your own is fine, but you need to get up early and make sure you keep track of train or bus times so you don't get delayed on your return...
This day we chose to start with a quiet breakfast on the balcony (top picture) and then we came back in good time to hang out on the ship.
Castle of San Giorgio
Castello di San Giorgio is located on a hill above the center of La Spezia and is one of the city's most prominent historical buildings. The castle dates back to the Middle Ages and was expanded and modified over several periods. Today it houses an archaeological museum with finds from La Spezia and the surrounding region.
We climbed up to the castle via a long flight of stairs – only to discover afterwards that there was also a much more comfortable lift! Once up we were rewarded with nice views of La Spezia, the harbour and the Golfo della Spezia. It is therefore possible to appreciate a visit even if you are not particularly interested in the museum itself.
View of La Spezia and the port
There is an archaeological museum in the castle, but we chose to only pay to go up to the various terraces where you have a super nice view of the city and the harbor.
La Spezia as a cruise port
La Spezia is an important cruise port and is often used as a starting point for excursions to Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Pisa and Florence. Depending on how long the ship is in port, there are many opportunities to discover more of both Liguria and Tuscany.
When we came here with Freedom of the Seas We chose to stay in La Spezia instead. After several intense days on the cruise, it felt good to take it easy, walk through the city and visit Castello di San Giorgio. Plus, we could return to the ship in plenty of time without having to keep track of trains or worry about making it back before departure.
For those who want to take a longer excursion on their own, it is important to have plenty of time, as the cruise ship will not wait for travelers who are late from a private excursion.
Excursions from La Spezia – Cinque Terre and Portovenere
La Spezia is an excellent starting point for discovering the Ligurian coast. Above all, it is close to Cinque Terre, with the five famous villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. From La Spezia, trains run along the coast, making it easy to visit one or more of the villages during a day trip.
Another nice excursion destination is Portovenere, located south of the Cinque Terre on the Golfo della Spezia. The colorful coastal town is known for its old town center, harbor, and dramatic location at the far end of a promontory. It can be reached by bus from La Spezia and, during parts of the year, by boat.
If you have plenty of time, you can also make excursions to Pisa and Florence in Tuscany. For a shorter visit or a stop during a cruise, it may be better to choose Cinque Terre or Portovenere, given the shorter distance.
More to see in this part of Italy
If you want to continue your journey and discover more of Italy, there is of course a lot to see. Here you will find reports and tips:
FAQ – frequently asked questions about La Spezia
Where is La Spezia located?
La Spezia is located in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, on the Ligurian Sea. The city is close to the border with Tuscany and is best known as an important port city and as a starting point for excursions to the Cinque Terre and Portovenere.
What is La Spezia known for?
La Spezia is known for its large port and its location near some of Liguria's most popular destinations. Many visitors pass through the city on their way to the Cinque Terre, but La Spezia also has a city center with pedestrian streets, restaurants, museums, and the Castello di San Giorgio.
Is La Spezia worth a visit?
Yes, especially if you are in the area or coming here by cruise ship. La Spezia doesn't have the same wide range of attractions as many of Italy's more famous tourist cities, but it is great for a leisurely day of walking, Italian city life and views of the harbor. The city is also an excellent starting point for excursions in the area.
What is there to see and do in La Spezia?
You can stroll through the city center and along the harbor, visit the Castello di San Giorgio and enjoy the views over the city. La Spezia also has several museums and is a good starting point for boat trips and excursions to, among others, the Cinque Terre and Portovenere.
How much time do you need in La Spezia?
Half a day to a day is enough if you mainly want to discover La Spezia itself. If you want to use the city as a base for excursions to Cinque Terre, Portovenere and other places along the Ligurian coast, you can stay for several days.
Can you go to Cinque Terre from La Spezia?
Yes, La Spezia is one of the most common starting points for visiting the Cinque Terre. From La Spezia Centrale, trains run to the five famous villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.
Is it possible to go to Portovenere from La Spezia?
Yes. Portovenere is located on the coast south of the Cinque Terre and can be reached from La Spezia by bus and, during parts of the year, by boat. This makes Portovenere a popular excursion destination from the city.
Is La Spezia a cruise port?
Yes, La Spezia is an important cruise port. Cruise ships use the city as a starting point for excursions to Cinque Terre, Pisa and Florence, among others. Of course, it is also possible to do as we did and stay and discover La Spezia at a slower pace.
Can you visit Pisa from La Spezia?
Yes, Pisa is close enough for a day trip from La Spezia and can be reached by train. For cruise passengers, it is important to plan your trip with plenty of time to get back to the ship on time.
Can you visit Florence from La Spezia?
Yes, it is possible to take a day trip to Florence from La Spezia, but the distance is considerably longer than to, for example, Cinque Terre and Portovenere. If you are visiting La Spezia during a cruise stop, it is therefore extra important to factor in travel times and margins.
What is there to see near La Spezia?
Cinque Terre and Portovenere are the most famous excursion destinations, but the coastal town of Lerici and the Golfo dei Poeti are also worth discovering. To the south lies Tuscany with Pisa, Lucca and Florence, among others.
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Lena - gott för själen says:
Wow, what a wonderful trip you are on. It seems to be a good mix of boating and going ashore to tour a bit.
I myself am leaving for New York in an hour. Looking forward to coming back to this great city!
Hug Lena
09 September 2017 - 6:33
Helena says:
The mix is perhaps the best thing about cruising, that you both have life on board and can discover places on land. How wonderful with the New York trip! Wishes a really nice trip !!!
09 September 2017 - 8:07
Steve says:
That balcony breakfast, talk about a great start to the day.
You seem to have had a really nice day. A good choice for you, by the way.
09 September 2017 - 7:39
Helena says:
Yes, it was nice to just stroll around and not rush on to a city further away. (Although we would love to see Florence, but that will have to be another time).
09 September 2017 - 8:08
Lennart says:
Good as long as there is a break!
09 September 2017 - 9:40
Helena says:
We had a few drops of rain at one point, but nice weather almost all the time. And warm! 🙂
09 September 2017 - 10:47
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
It's nice to have a day off and Florence is still there. Then there is a reason to come back and we recommend hiking between the small villages in Cinque Terre. Absolutely wonderful views along the way.
09 September 2017 - 9:45
Helena says:
I can imagine that it is nice there! Yes, we would love to come back 🙂 .
09 September 2017 - 10:47
Marina says:
It's good that you can actually make a choice and "mind your own business" for a while if you want to.
09 September 2017 - 10:27
Helena says:
Absolutely! Every time you add it is free choice what you want to do during the day 🙂 .
09 September 2017 - 10:48
Ama de casa says:
We have varied between walking around on our own and taking excursions via the boat. The latter is good if you are going far away from the quay as you are guaranteed that the boat waits for a possible delay. (I always get a little excited when I have to fit times, will probably never change my mind on that point 😉 ).
Hmm... I had probably tried to dare to refuse the castle. Although the view is usually worth the effort once you are up there. On the other hand, I would have cried myself to death over having missed the cable car... 😉.
Keep up the good work!
09 September 2017 - 11:53
Helena says:
We took the cable car down ... but it didn't have quite the same effect, haha. And yes, you can vary between your own excursions and organised ones. We prefer to do our own excursions, but it can feel a bit stressful if it's a long way to go ...
09 September 2017 - 13:25
Mamma C says:
Great exercise with all these steps. Nice to make some discoveries on your own too.
Mum C
09 September 2017 - 12:45
Helena says:
This particular part of travelling, just strolling around somewhere on your own, is perhaps our favourite part 🙂 .
09 September 2017 - 13:25
Rolle o Carina says:
The breakfast with that view seems absolutely great!
Have fun and enjoy for us too.....:-)
09 September 2017 - 14:11
Helena says:
Not wrong at all 🙂
09 September 2017 - 18:56
Husisblogg says:
The balcony on a ship seems to be great. Sitting there in peace and quiet and having breakfast instead of in the dining room must be a bit nice.
Ouch, too bad if you miss the boat after an excursion....
09 September 2017 - 15:11
Helena says:
Yes, we liked the balcony! As cosy as possible 🙂 And no, you don't want to miss the boat ...!
09 September 2017 - 21:57
BP says:
That exercise was good enough I must say!!! Many new leg muscles that you did not know you had I guess.
The view is absolutely magnificent and was well worth the exercise;-)
09 September 2017 - 17:43
Helena says:
We probably needed that exercise after all the eating I guess 😉.
09 September 2017 - 21:57
Yvonne says:
Great trip you are doing!
Answer...Beetroot patties are easy to make.
Take large beetroot and do not cook them too soft.
Peel slices and breads in eggs and turn in crusty flour with spices fry and eat with fried onions and potatoes.
Good luck to you
🙂
09 September 2017 - 21:44
Helena says:
Thanks for the tip! Doesn't sound so difficult after all 🙂
09 September 2017 - 21:58
Mycket annat och lite betong says:
Oh, what a balcony! I would also like to have breakfast there...
There was so much to do on the boat. Had probably thought it would be boring. Cosy to go ashore too.
It seems so lovely to cruise! Not a bit jealous.
PS. Even if you have been to Birka, it is probably worth another visit. Much has been added.
Agneta
09 September 2017 - 22:56
Helena says:
It is difficult to get bored on the boat, I must say! And a visit to Birka may be on occasion! 🙂
10 September 2017 - 8:03
Marianne - Glimt av verden says:
It seems like a wonderful journey! Having a balcony to eat breakfast on seems so much nicer than sitting in a dining room!
09 September 2017 - 23:20
Helena says:
Breakfast on the balcony was soooo cosy 🙂.
10 September 2017 - 8:03
Marias Memoarer says:
What a cosy place, nice to get away from other tourists for a while! By the way, how much does a cruise like this cost? Maybe you already mentioned it, but I have missed it isf 🙂
10 September 2017 - 16:52
Helena says:
Prices vary greatly depending on which month it is, which ship, which route, which cabin, etc... The price for the cruise we did (7 days in the Mediterranean in September) is about SEK 11,000 / person. This includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at all times of the day). Shows and activities are also included, but there are other things that are not included (such as drinks and excursions). We plan to write a more informative post in a few days about how everything works.
10 September 2017 - 18:33
Kors och Tvärs says:
Nice to be able to vary a bit with activities. Maybe saw some of Chinque Terre from the boat. It is incredibly cosy to hike there (if you have not already done so).
12 September 2017 - 7:00