La Spezia

Situated on the northern Italian coast between Genoa and Pisa, La Spezia is an important naval and commercial port, yet appeals to holidaymakers due to its good weather and proximity to the famous Cinque Terre villages. Aside from naval attractions, La Spezia has a number of churches and museums on offer to visitors, and the large seafront is perfect for relaxing and watching the many boats in port.

Attractions

For naval enthusiasts, the Techical Naval Museum has a number of ships’ figureheads on display, as well as arsenal. The Museo del Castello is an archaeological museum that houses a number of Roman and pre-Roman artefacts, and the Museo del Sigillo is home to one of the largest private collections of seals in the world. The Amadeo Lia Museum is located in a former monastery, and houses a collection of artwork, including pieces by Titian and Bellini.

The castle offers visitors some spectacular views over the town and sea. The cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, and the Church of Saints Giovanni and Agostino are also worth a visit.

Many visitors use La Spezia as a hub from which to explore the nearby Cinque Terre and Portovenere, which were made UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997. Cinque Terre is in fact a national park that encompasses the coastline, 5 villages perched on a stretch of cliffs, and the surrounding hills. Each of the 5 villages has its own distinctive qualities, and visitors can stroll around them, enjoy the beaches, or follow the hiking trails that link each village together.

Portovenere is around 15 kilometres from La Spezia, and has an impressive Gothic Church of Saint Peter and Romanesque Church of Saint Lawrence. It is a popular resort town, and offers visitors colourful houses and a bustling marina.

Shopping

La Spezia’s Saturday market provides shoppers with a range of fresh local food products, and the town has a number of small shops and boutiques that sell locally made foods, handicrafts, and clothes.

Nightlife and Eating Out

La Spezia is situated in the Ligurian region of Italy, and specialities of the area include wine, olive oil, seafood, canestrelli, which are savoury biscuits, and focaccia. For authentic local cuisine, the many restaurants along the seafront are a good choice for dining.

It is the seafront that also provides the town’s main nightlife, with a number of bars and pubs offering locally produced wine, as well as the standard range of beers and liqueurs.

Tourist Information

• Tourist Office, Viale Mazzini 47, 19100 La Spezia
• Telephone: +39 187 770 900

Airport

The closest international airports are Genoa and Pisa, which offer domestic and international services with a number of regular and low-cost carriers. The train from Genoa takes around an hour and a half, and from Pisa takes around an hour, though taking the bus is also an option.