Nestled between the waters of the Ligurian Sea and the Ligurian Alps, La Spezia serves as the perfect gateway to many popular tourist attractions in Liguria and Tuscany.
The location is one of the reasons we chose this for our Italian home!
For cruise ship passengers disembarking at La Spezia Port, this is a practical guide to help you quickly orientate yourself and decide how to spend your day here.
Places to Visit from La Spezia Cruise Port
We have several articles on locations that are within a day trip of La Spezia Cruise Port. The most popular things to see and do include:
- Cinque Terre (5 famous towns and UNESCO park)
- Florence (Statue of David and Ponte Vecchio)
- Pisa (Leaning Tower)
- Portovenere (Ancient medieval town close to La Spezia)
- Portofino (Playground for the rich and famous)
For more in-depth information about La Spezia and things to do around the area, then here’s a selection of other articles that might help with your trip planning:
Many people choose to do a self-guided excursion to Cinque Terre. You may find our premade Cinque Terre itineraries a perfect solution. The idea is that you make the most of your time in Cinque Terre without the stress of having to plan every detail! The guides include sightseeing highlights, cultural experiences, and food recommendations. With optional activities, transport details, and an interactive map.
Experience Cinque Terre like a local, even with limited time!
This itinerary includes insider tips, optimized timing to match cruise all-aboard schedules, and essential transport details from the La Spezia cruise terminal.
La Spezia Port
Cruise passengers disembark at the La Spezia Molo Garibaldi dock. With ships docking almost every day, they’ve become a part of the harbor landscape.
Over recent years the port authorities have invested millions of euros into upgrading the port and terminal to accommodate cruise ships and passengers. It’s been a great success, and La Spezia has become a busy cruise stop-over port for tourists on Mediterranean cruises. As well as a great location for passengers starting their Mediterranean cruise.
This is a working cargo port, so unfortunately pedestrian access isn’t an option. We often walk along the harbor front and can see the cruise ships at a distance but never up close.
If you disembark at La Spezia, you will be greeted by free shuttle buses that transport cruise passengers to the La Spezia Cruise Terminal.
The trip between the port and the terminal takes only a few minutes. The La Spezia Cruise Terminal is situated on the harbor and is close to the city and marina. This is also where many of the Cinque Terre boat tours depart from.
Transport Options from La Spezia Port: Walking
Getting around La Spezia is relatively easy. It’s a smaller city that is organized in a grid-like fashion and has large sections of flat pedestrian zones.
You can easily walk from the cruise terminal to the city, the marina, and the central train station.
Detailed Info: The harbor promenade named “Passeggiata Costantino Morin” commonly referred to as the Lungomare is sandwiched between Viale Italia and the marina. The pretty landscaped gardens and tall palm trees of the Lungomare connect the cruise terminal to other parts of the city.
Getting to the La Spezia Ferry Dock and Marina
If you want to explore The Gulf of Poets, then the best way to do it is on water. The ferry dock is at the marina and there are public ferries that shuttle tourists to various destinations around the gulf including Lerici, Porto Venere, and the famous five towns of Cinque Terre.
Group or private boat tours also leave from the marina area. The private tours offer a more relaxed day on the water, where you can swim in clear waters, visit isolated beaches, and enjoy a seafood lunch at one of the local towns around the gulf.
From the cruise terminal, you can get to the marina area within 10 minutes. It’s an easy walk along the harbor promenade (walking under the shade of the tall palm trees).
Just head along the promenade to the area close to the Thaon di Revel footbridge and look for the ticket kiosks and the jetty to board the local ferries.
Getting to the La Spezia Old Town
If you have the time and fancy a stroll, then a pleasant way to start your day is a walk along the harbor promenade. There are a couple of cafes along the way to grab a drink or a small bite to eat. At the far south-west end of the promenade, you can cross Viale Italia into the public gardens and then head into the old town along either Via del Prione or Corso Cavour.
Detailed info: Via del Prione and Corso Cavour are the main shopping streets in La Spezia. But if you explore the connecting side streets you can find small boutique shops and inviting places to eat and drink. These places offer a more authentic experience and are away from the main tourist crowds.
If you prefer to head straight into the old town then it’s an easy 10-minute walk. From the cruise terminal, instead of walking along the harbor, you can cross Viale Italia and head towards Piazza Verdi.
From Piazza Verdi, you can walk under the decorative arches of Via Domenico Chiodo or take the back streets into the old town area.
Detailed info: Piazza Verdi is a large open square that is the home to a series of mirrored arches and many decorative ‘Liberty’ buildings that are a signature style of La Spezia architecture. Piazza Verdi is also a great starting point to explore the old town.
Getting from La Spezia Cruise Port to Train Station
Most visitors heading to Cinque Terre will use the Cinque Terre Express that departs from La Spezia Centrale train station. This is also the starting point for all train excursions to Florence, Pisa, or Lucca.
If you’re doing a self-guided excursion to Cinque Terre, you will like our premade Cinque Terre itineraries. These take the stress out of having to plan every detail! Our guides include sightseeing highlights, cultural experiences, and food recommendations. There are also optional activities, transport information, and an interactive map.
Experience Cinque Terre like a local, even with limited time!
This itinerary includes insider tips, optimized timing to match cruise all-aboard schedules, and essential transport details from the La Spezia cruise terminal.
The walk from La Spezia Cruise Terminal to La Spezia Centrale station is around 25 minutes on flat ground that is mostly pedestrianized.
Just follow the directions above to reach La Spezia's old town, and then continue by walking northwest along Via del Prione. Almost the entire route is pedestrianized and there are plenty of signposts along the way.
Detailed Info: At La Spezia train station, you’ll be getting on a Cinque Terre Express train. The Cinque Terre Express line runs between La Spezia and Levanto and stops at all Cinque Terre towns in between: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.
Transport Options from La Spezia Port: Public Buses
The public bus service in La Spezia is frequent and convenient. You can access many places in town and beyond the city around the gulf.
Last year my 17-year-old niece came to visit us and after following our guidance, she caught several buses to locations around the area including Lerici, San Terenzo and Porto Venere. Here are my travel tips:
ATC has a useful website for working out your route and for accessing the timetables.
Plan your stops. Using the ATC website, look at the map and identify where you need to get on and off. (It’s usually obvious where to get off because you’ll be heading to the popular towns or beaches where almost everyone else will also disembark).
When I disembark the first thing I do is look for the bus stop (usually on the opposite side of the road) for my return route.
Usually, the bus stops will have information and timetables. Before starting my sightseeing, I would check the return bus times.
Nowhere is off the beaten path and there are always lots of people around to ask for help.
Paper bus tickets don’t have an allocated date or time, so they must be validated onboard the bus.
For cruise ship passengers wanting to go to most tourist destinations, the bus stops at Piazza Europa are the most convenient. Piazza Europa is within eyeshot of the Cruise Terminal and the bus stops are a short 5-minute walk.
Buying Bus Tickets
You can buy tickets from:
- Newsstands
- Tabacchi shops
- ATC website
- Central bus office located near Piazza Chiodo.
There are several newsstands and Tabacchi options around the cruise terminal and Piazza Europa.
Important Advice: There are different types of tickets available and to be honest it took me a while to figure out which one to buy. Read more about these on our ‘Getting Around La Spezia’ page.
If you want to make life easy on yourself, then just buy an all-day ticket (Biglietto Intra Rete): Valid for all routes (city and surrounds), all day and the cost is €7.50.
Bus Stops and Bus Routes
- For La Spezia Central Train Station (for trains to Cinque Terre): Take Bus S, L, C or 3 from the bus stop on the north side of Piazza Europa. For this trip you need a 60 minute urban ticket (urbano biglietto 60 minuti) that costs 1.50 Euro
- There are several other buses that you can catch to local tourist destinations and there are 2 or 3 different types of tickets valid for these destinations. But the easiest ticket option is a single trip ticket (extraurbano 1 corso) that costs 3.00 Euro or an all-day ticket (Biglietto Intra Rete) costing €7.50:
- For Porto Venere: Take Bus P or 11 from the bus stop on the north side of Piazza Europa.
- For Sarzana: Take Bus S, Sc, or P from the bus stop on the south side of Piazza Europa.
- For Lerici: Take Bus S or L from the bus stop on the south side of Piazza Europa.
Transport Options from La Spezia Port: Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the cruise terminal. They offer a quick and comfortable way to get around.
There is only one taxi company that I am aware of called Radio Taxi La Spezia. They operate 24/7 365 days a year (Tel: +39 0187523523).
Taxis are not a cheap way to get around, but La Spezia is small and if there are 3 or 4 of you then it starts to become more economical.
Some typical taxi rates to common destinations:
- Train Station (3 km / 5 minutes by car) will cost around 12 Euros.
- Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore (16 km / 25 minutes by car) will cost around 40 Euros.
- Pisa (80 km / 55 minutes by car) will cost around 200 Euros.
Getting to Cinque Terre from La Spezia Port
One of the top attractions for cruise passengers in La Spezia is to experience the historic towns and scenic hills of Cinque Terre.
This UNESCO World Heritage site comprising of five idyllic villages perched on rugged cliffs has become a world-famous destination.
Since living in La Spezia, EVERY visitor that we have had stay with us wants to go see these towns. So, we go there A LOT! But even for us, the sight of the colorful houses and terraced vineyards summons up awe and wonder.
If you’re doing a self-guided day trip to Cinque Terre, you’ll love our premade Cinque Terre Itinerary for Cruise Passengers. It’s got everything you need to enjoy a day sightseeing in 3 of the villages, experiencing the highlights and local foods. The itinerary includes optional activities, transport details, and an interactive map. All you have to do is turn up and follow the plan!
Further Reading:
“Pin & Read Later”
Getting to Cinque Terre by Tour
There are many tours being offered from La Spezia to Cinque Terre. Most tours will use the train or ferry and you will likely get to see at least 3 of the villages.
You can also book onto a private boat tour that will explore the Gulf of Poets and UNESCO towns.
Savvy Travel Tips: Some tours only help with transport and don’t provide a qualified guide or any cultural or historical information. So, we use Get Your Guide and Tiqets because the tour descriptions, guest reviews and cancellation policies are made clear.
Getting to Cinque Terre by Train
The Cinque Terre Express train runs between La Spezia Centrale train station, Cinque Terre (all 5 towns) and Levanto. The trains run at least 3 times per hour (during summer) and 1-2 times per hour during the off-season.
If you want to visit 2 or more Cinque Terre towns then you should buy a Cinque Terre Card. This gives you all-day train travel and access to the Sentiero Verde Azzurro trail (famous blue hiking trail).
You can buy Cinque Terre Cards at the train station or online.
Buy your Cinque Terre Card and tickets - with no booking fees!
Savvy Travel Tips: On busy days and throughout the summer, there is a long queue to buy Cinque Terre Cards. Don’t waste time standing in the long lines. Buy your Cinque Terre Card online directly through Trenitalia (no extra fees and quick checkout).
Getting to Cinque Terre by Ferry
For cruise ship passengers arriving at La Spezia Port, it’s an easy walk along the harbor promenade to the ferry dock.
The public ferries (operated by Navigazione Golfo Dei Poeti) that go around the Gulf of La Spezia to Cinque Terre depart 4-6 times per day (April to September).
Important Advice: If you plan on using the ferry service or a boat tour then be mindful that these services will get canceled during inclement weather. If you still want to visit Cinque Terre, then going by train is an easy alternative.
Getting to Cinque Terre by Bus
There is no direct public bus from La Spezia to Cinque Terre.
Other Day Excursions from La Spezia
Apart from Cinque Terre, La Spezia is well situated for many other day excursions. Here is a list of ideas for day trips that many cruise ship passengers do from La Spezia:
- Florence – Duomo, Statue of David, and Renaissance art.
- Pisa – Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles.
- Lucca –City walls, medieval old town, and artisanal shops.
- Sarzana – Medieval architecture, artisanal shops, and a castle.
- Porto Venere – Medieval old town, boat trips, beaches, and hiking.
- Lerici – Beaches, hiking, and an old town.
La Spezia: What To Do for the Day
Cruise passengers planning on staying in La Spezia for the day will be pleased to discover an interesting Italian city that has plenty to see and do with a vibrant community.
There are several options for tours to help you navigate the town and see the important historical sights.
However, you can explore the old town without a guide, admiring the Liberty buildings, meandering through the back streets, and browsing the shops. There’s also a vibrant food market in Piazza Cavour every Monday to Saturday.
If you’re interested in the local history, then you can head to a number of churches or museums including the famous Naval Technical Museum or Castello di San Giorgio.
Local Food & Specialities
The sea has a significant influence over the cuisine of Liguria and La Spezia.
La Spezia in particular is well regarded in Italy for its mussels and oysters. Typical dishes include stuffed mussels, seafood pastas and fried seafood known as Fritto Misto.
If you want to try some Ligurian cuisine then many restaurants and cafes around town offer these typical dishes, along with focaccia, farinata (chickpea pancake), pesto and wine whites from the region.
Suggested Further Reading:
Local Customs and Etiquette
Understanding the unspoken rules of a culture is always helpful in creating a more enjoyable experience. Here are some key aspects about Italy for you to consider:
Language: English is often spoken but remember that Italian is the national language. It’s also appreciated if you can say a few polite words, to say:
- hello (buongiorno / buonasera)
- goodbye (arrivederci)
- and to express gratitude (grazie)
Generally, Italians are very friendly and a few simple words showing effort and appreciation will often put a smile on their face and create a pleasant encounter.
Opening Times: It’s still very common for businesses to close for siesta (also known as riposo). Shops will close around midday for three hours or so but will stay open later into the evening. Restaurants and cafes will usually stay open during riposo. It’s always advisable to check opening times for museums and other attractions.
Church Visits: When visiting churches, dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered. I will often carry a scarf or shawl to be respectful.
Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory. If you wish to tip then adding 5 to 10% is always appreciated.
Staying Connected – Free Wi-Fi in La Spezia
Last year some friends from Australia took a Mediterranean cruise and we were shocked to find out that Wi-Fi was an optional extra!
I realize that cruises make money from all kinds of extra services and onshore tours, (and maybe I’m a bit naïve) but I would never have considered Wi-Fi to be something they would charge for!
Our friends refused to pay for the Wi-Fi and made do without.
If you’re the same, then you’ll be pleased to learn that many restaurants and some shops offer free wi-fi.
La Spezia city (and many of the Ligurian towns) also has free Wi-Fi that is available through the main tourist areas of the city.
You can register and access the wi-fi when you select the “Free Wi-Fi Comune della Spezia” network and go to your browser.
Savvy Travel Tips: I know this catches out the best of us, but make sure your phone is fully charged before leaving the cruise ship, and (if you have one) carry a power bank.
As a last resort, I’ve had to ask a waiter to charge my phone during a lunch stop. I felt content with this contingency, but after finishing lunch, I almost forgot to ask for my phone back. Yikes!!!
Safety and Security
Since living here, I have never seen anything that raises alarm bells. Even down the side streets, I never feel anxious, and I would say that La Spezia is generally safe.
But pick pockets are notorious in Europe (especially in tourist areas), so it’s always better to stay vigilant and keep your valuables safe and out of site.
Stocking up on Supplies
La Spezia is a normal functioning city supporting around 90,000 people. You can find just about anything you need. The area between Piazza Europa, Corso Cavour and the train station is easy to access from the Cruise Terminal and doesn’t just have tourist shops. There are pharmacies, electrical stores, phone repair shops, homewares, and food stores.
Getting Back to Your Cruise
Whether you stay in La Spezia or go for an excursion, you need to get back to your cruise ship on time!
If you’re like me (always running late and putting myself under unnecessary pressure) then please pay extra attention to this section.
You can’t account for every eventuality, but here are some tips to avoid unnecessary mishaps and stress:
- Plan ahead and know your route (and transport) back to the cruise terminal.
- Plan for a back-up method of transport. Especially if you are using the ferries or a boat transfer.
- Add an extra 30 minutes to your planned journey time to play it safe.
- Keep emergency phone numbers on hand.
- Check available websites for transport strikes on the day you’re intending to travel.
Downloadable La Spezia Cruise Port Information
Wrap Up
For anyone visiting La Spezia on a cruise, you can spend your day in town or visit a number of local attractions.
Most cruises only dock for one day, so making the most of your time requires some advance planning. Having read this article, you should now be more familiar with La Spezia and be ready to hit the ground running!
We’re always adding more content! Bookmark our site to read more articles on La Spezia and the local attractions and find out what makes La Spezia and its surroundings a must-visit destination for cruise travelers!
FAQ
What time do I need to get back to my cruise?
Each cruise is different. Prior to disembarking, you will be told an ‘all-aboard’ time or ‘shipboard’ time or something similar. This is usually 60 minutes before the cruise sets sail.
All-aboard means the time you need to be on the ship. So, if you’re told that all-aboard time is 5pm then you should back even earlier to allow for check in, security, and transit time from the cruise terminal to La Spezia Molo Garibaldi dock.
How much time do I need to get from La Spezia Port to Cinque Terre?
You need a minimum of 65 minutes. Here is the trip breakdown:
- Bus shuttle from port to cruise terminal: 10 minutes
- Taxi from cruise terminal to La Spezia Central station: 15 minutes
- Train to Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore): 10 minutes (other towns are up to 30 minutes)
- Additional time for waiting/delays etc.: 30 minutes
If you buy your Cinque Terre train tickets at the station, then you may end up in a long queue and waste up to an hour! Buy the Cinque Terre Card online to save yourself time.
How long does it take to get from Cinque Terre to La Spezia cruise port?
You need a minimum of 80 minutes. Here is the trip breakdown:
- Train to Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore): 10 minutes (other towns are up to 30 minutes)
- Taxi from La Spezia Central Station to cruise terminal: 15 minutes
- Shuttle bus from the cruise terminal to port: 10 minutes
- Additional time for checking in /security/waiting/delays etc.: 45 minutes
Where can I get a taxi from in La Spezia?
You can book a taxi from a specific pickup location. Sometimes you can find cars waiting at the taxi ranks (taxi stands) around town:
- La Spezia Cruise Terminal
- La Spezia Centrale train station (Piazzale Medaglie d'Oro)
- Via Armando Diaz (close to Via Domenico Chiodo and the public gardens).
