We’ve done A LOT of driving around Italy. One of the things we always get nervous about is where to park.
Most touristy places in Italy don’t have enough parking for the number of visitors. So, we either pay a premium for parking or find a cheap spot outside of town (usually at the bottom of a steep hill)!
Coming to La Spezia in a car as a tourist you’ll probably feel the same way. There’s simply not enough parking!
But in this post, I share my local knowledge so you can find affordable or free parking in La Spezia!
If you’re coming to La Spezia, then you may also be interested in browsing the rest of our site to find the best accommodation, great restaurants, and interesting things to do around La Spezia and Cinque Terre.
Map of Main Transport Hubs and Parking in La Spezia
Find below our Google – My Map to help you locate the main transport and parking locations in La Spezia.
There are other parking places, but these are the main places that I mention in this blog post.
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Best Parking in La Spezia for Cinque Terre and the Central Train Station
Park Centro Stazione parking is located under Piazzale delle Medaglie d'Oro, right under the train station. This is as convenient as it gets for catching the train to Cinque Terre.
This is also the best car park for catching the train from La Spezia Centrale to Pisa, Florence, or further afield to major cities like Rome and Milan.
Other Useful Content
I like this car park because of several features:
- Good-sized covered parking spots.
- Well-lit and monitored by cameras.
- Accessible by elevator.
- Open 24 hours.
- Perfect for access to the city center and station.
La Spezia Train Station Parking has over 200 spots and is in the range of 1.5 Euro/hour.
You can access the car park from Via Paleocapa and Via Fiume.
Buy your Cinque Terre Card and tickets - with no booking fees!
Need more Cinque Terre related content. Take a look at our in-depth Cinque Terre information to help you book accommodation, find great restaurants, things to do, and learn how to get around!
Most Convenient La Spezia Parking Close to the Harbor and Marina
The car parking close to the harbor is ideal if you’re heading out on a Gulf of Poets boat tour to the nearby towns of Cinque Terre, Lerici, and Portovenere. These boat trips are a memorable way to tour the area and experience the thrill of seeing the coastline from the water.
1. Porto Mirabello
This car park is at the marina, and we use this when we can’t find street parking at the southern end of town.
Just head south along Viale Italia (the street running parallel to the harbor) and then turn left at the roundabout (with the small lighthouse statue) onto Via Aldo Moro. The parking spots are through the barriers next to the Porto Mirabello main building on Via Aldo Moro.
I like this parking because of these features:
Very convenient for boat cruises from the La Spezia dock and for the port.
Again, good-sized spots (but uncovered).
Well-lit and feels safe.
The parking is at street level, so access is easy.
Open 24 hours.
Security cameras.
Porto Mirabello parking costs a little more than most other places in La Spezia at €2.50/hour. But it’s super convenient and easy to access tourist activities at both the marina and the historic town.
Ideas for things to do close to Porto Mirabello car park
- Take a short walk to Porto Mirabello Marina, where most of the Cinque Terre boat tours depart.
- Grab a quick drink or linger over some food at the increasingly popular cafes, bars, and restaurants in the marina.
- Stroll around for the chance to admire the extraordinary yachts that are moored at the marina. Some of which are (allegedly) owned by the rich and famous!
- From Porto Mirabello car park, head straight over the white bridge (Ponte Thaon di Revel) to the Cinque Terre boat dock, where you can catch the local ferries that cruise around the Gulf of Poets to places like Lerici and the interesting and beautiful coastal town of Portovenere.
- From here you can also head into the historic quarter of La Spezia for sightseeing and shopping.
2. Piazza Europa Parking (Europa Park)
The Piazza Europa parking (called Europa Park) is next to the La Spezia Commune building and close to the Cathedral of Christ the King. Entry to this parking is on both Via XXIV Maggio and Via Vittorio Veneto.
I recommend this parking for several reasons:
Right in the heart of the commercial part of the city.
Good-sized covered parking spots.
Well-lit and feels safe.
Electric charging stations.
Accessible by elevator.
Open 24 hours.
Piazza Europa Parking has space for over 260 vehicles and is €1.50/hour during peak times.
You can walk along Constantino Morin Promenade (Lungomare) to the ferry dock and marina in about 15 minutes.
Piazza Europa is also a handy place to get buses to towns nearby to La Spezia like Portovenere and Lerici.
3. La Spezia Cruise Terminal Parking
Parcheggio Terminal Crociere is the most convenient paid parking lot for the La Spezia & Carrara Cruise Terminal (Cinque Terre cruise terminal).
There are 200 parking spaces available, and it’s possible to reserve a parking spot for the duration of your stay in La Spezia. Parking during peak times is €1.50/hour.
This parking is handy for:
- Cinque Terre boat tours leaving from Porto Mirabello
- Harbor front and the Lungomare
- Walking into the old town for sightseeing and restaurants
- Long stays
This is also the best place to park your car if you’re heading to Groove Waterfront – La Spezia. The new trendy harborside venue where you can enjoy street food and entertainment.
For more foodie recommendations, take a look at our local restaurant listings and restaurant reviews.
Cheapest Paid Parking Lots in La Spezia City
1. Parcheggio Largo Cesare Bione
This parking is very close to the Civil Hospital Sant'Andrea di La Spezia.
We used this a bunch of times when we had hospital visits. We’ve always found a spot, but it is a squeeze and not ideal for large vehicles.
It's good parking for the following reasons:
Very convenient for the hospital and that area of town.
Accessible 24 hours.
It's free between 8pm and 8am.
It's not huge but generally, you can get a spot there.
Parcheggio Largo Cesare Bione is around €1/hour. This is possibly the cheapest parking lot in the city.
Best Free Parking in La Spezia Close to the City
There are several free parking spots in La Spezia! But because they’re free you can expect to walk an extra 5 or 10 minutes to the center.
Here is my pick for the most convenient free parking:
1. Via Nicolò Fieschi
Opposite the Centro Sportivo, there are parking bays by the side of the road. Some of these are paid and some are free (white road markings).
We use these when we go to play tennis at the park, BUT this is very close to Alberto Picco Stadium, home to Spezia Calcio (soccer team). So, it’s wise to avoid these spots when Spezia Calcio are playing at home.
It’s a 10-minute walk into the town center and 15 minutes to the port, but this car park is especially useful for heading to Porto Venere. The 11 and P bus (to Porto Venere) passes along this street and there are bus stops at the front of the Centro Sportivo (near the swimming pool).
Tickets for buses need to be purchased in advance from the Tabacchi, newsstands or online.
2. Viale Giovanni Amendola
Between the Military Museum and Piazza Sapri, there are parking bays by the side of the road (driving in a southerly direction). Some of these are paid and some are free.
The last time I parked here was during August (peak tourist season), and we were getting a ferry from La Spezia to Portovenere. It was very convenient for the harbor (5 mins walk) and best of all, free. I’m not embarrassed to say, it made my day!
3. Piazzale Papa Giovanni XXIII
Close to the Allegro Italia Hotel, behind the Cathedral of Christ the King you can find a small area of free parking!
It’s popular with locals and there aren’t many spots, but I often find a parking space here and can walk to Piazza Europa in around 5 minutes.
If you want to access the old city walls (Parco della Mura) for a walk or picnic, then this is also a great place to park. If you’re interested, in this walk check out our YouTube channel for details!
Free Parking in La Spezia with Shuttle Bus Connection
La Spezia Commune provides two free park and ride facilities that you can use during your stay or visit:
- Piazza d’Armi
- Palapark
Piazza D’Armi and PalaPark are great options for short and long-term parking (see costs below).
Sure, these parking lots are a short distance from town, but there are free shuttle buses into the city.
There are also some useful additional facilities:
- Charging points for electric vehicles
- Bike-sharing for a fun alternative to the shuttle buses
- Designated spots for campervans
1. Piazza d’Armi
You can access Piazza d’Armi from Via XV Giugno.
We used this car park on one of our visits when we were looking to buy our apartment. It was a bit dodgy back then, but this car park has had a recent revamp and is now monitored by video surveillance systems.
The free shuttle bus is handy, but in any case, the car park is only a 10-15 minute walk to La Spezia Central train station. So, if you are going to Cinque Terre from La Spezia by train, then this is a convenient and free parking option. It’s also a good option for long-term parking (costs are shown below).
Buy your Cinque Terre Card and tickets - with no booking fees!
2. PalaPark at Piazza Piero Pozzoli
This large parking lot is 2.5km out of town, but it’s close to the Migliarina train station. You can catch the free shuttle bus to Piazza Chiodo (near the marina), Corso Cavour (near the old town), or Piazza Brin (near the central train station).
Located near the Spezia Expo building, the parking is free and it’s a popular location with bus tour companies as a pickup point for day trips and tours.
Savvy Travel Tips: Even though free parking is tempting. There are some considerations. For example, the shuttle bus is only 2-4 times per hour and doesn’t run on a Sunday! Also, out-of-town parking is away from the crowds and might be considered less ‘safe’, especially at night.
Park and Ride Free Shuttle Bus
The park and ride options have a handy and free shuttle bus into town. The main shuttle bus stops for tourists are at:
- Piazza Brin (for walking to the train station)
- Corso Cavour (for the food markets and old town)
- Via Domenico Chiodo (for the Porto Mirabello marina)
- Piazza Verdi (for cruise terminal)
The free buses don’t go to either of the train stations. But the car parks are conveniently located within walking distance of the two public train stations:
- Use Piazza D’Armi for Central station
- Use PalaSport for Migliarina station
Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus service runs from Monday to Saturday, from 07:00 to 20:00 (no buses on Sundays and public holidays). The schedule is:
- every 15 minutes between 07:00 and 08:30
- every 30 minutes between 08:30 and 20:00
Park and Ride Costs
Upon entering the car park, you must collect a ticket (from the automatic machines).
Parking is free for the first 12 hours. If you intend to stay longer, then you can prepay for additional hours or days at the payment machines.
- Prepaid parking options are €5 for a full one-day pass, €10 for 2 days, and €30 for 30 days.
- Upon exit, you need to insert your entry ticket (or prepaid ticket) into the machines at the barrier gates. If you overstay your free or prepaid period, then you need to pay the additional fees at the payment machines BEFORE exiting.
Convenient La Spezia Parking – On Street
There are several streets in the city that are lined with parking spots. These spots are marked out and painted with specific colors:
- Paid parking (blue lines)
- Resident parking (yellow lines)
- Free parking (white lines)
If you are patient and lucky, then the most convenient streets with this type of parking are:
- Viale Italia
- Viale Giovanni Amendola
- Via XXIV Maggio
- Via Vittorio Veneto
Blue paid street parking is typically around €1.50 to €2 /hour and usually free between 8 pm and 8 am. Always check the street signs to avoid fines!
Important Advice: We sometimes get lucky on Via Persio Aulo Flacco or Piazza Chiodo. But be careful around that section of town because the ZTL (limited access zone) is in force. Pay attention to the road signage that indicates the ZTL zone to avoid large fines!
Other Options for La Spezia Parking
There are also other options that we haven’t used. Below is a list that you might find useful:
- Piazza John Fitzgerald Kennedy. This paid parking garage is at the far eastern side of town. It’s not convenient for most tourist activities, but if you’re running out of options, then you might find it useful.
- Svincolo Seresa. At the southern end of this street (close to the Park of Remembrance), there is a disused area at the end of Svincolo Seresa Street. It’s a secluded area (so parking at night might not be advisable, and I haven’t parked there myself), but it could be useful if you need free parking close to La Spezia Train Station.
Important Advice: The options I have given for parking are based on my own experiences or knowledge.
Always park where you feel comfortable and according to your own judgment.
Campervan Parking in La Spezia
The Campervan Stop in La Spezia is in the direction of Porto Lotti on Via delle Casermette (behind the Metro supermarket).
Campervan Parking Facilities
This recently designated (and modernized) area has water, grey and black water pits, toilets, hot showers, and power.
There are 36 pitches with video surveillance. A pitch is €15/day and power is extra.
Camper Stop Location
It’s a few km’s out of town. There are buses to La Spezia city and Lerici within walking distance. Timetables are available from the noticeboard at the main building.
Reading the reviews online, people say that the area around the Camper Sosta is a bit questionable and noisy from the adjacent freeway.
Detailed info: When we were travelling around Italy in a campervan, we used the Park4Night app to locate Camper Sosta sites. It was also useful for finding parking around busy tourist towns.
I’ve been there myself to check it out. I agree that the local council could have picked a more welcoming location for camper tourists. The area is part of the industrial zone, and it’s not pretty and picturesqe like some camper stops, but it’s also not obviously dangerous looking.
On the plus side, it is close by to Porto Lotti Marina where you can treat yourself to a fancy dinner. There is also an old fortification (Batteria Valdilocchi) that you can walk to and learn about La Spezia’s military history.
For those of you heading to Cinque Terre, you may want to take a look at our Cinque Terre specific content to help you find unforgettable things to do.
Other Options for Campervan Parking
If you need to be closer to Cinque Terre, then one alternative is “Poggio delle Cinque Terre” which is about 3 km from Monterosso on the SP38.
If Poggio delle Cinque Terre is full, then there is also a small petrol station in Levanto (Via Dei Moltedi) that offers overnight spots for campervans. It’s not somewhere I’d expect anyone would want to stay for longer than 1 or 2 nights, but it’s certainly a useful option if you’re visiting Cinque Terre.
One final option is to park your campervan at the two park and ride options, mentioned above (Piazza D’Armi and PalaPark) and catch the train into Cinque Terre. However, these carparks don’t have camper facilities.
How to Pay for Parking in La Spezia
Most La Spezia parking ticket machines accept cash and credit cards. Almost all street parking meters allow you to pay by app.
We like using a mobile app for several reasons:
The ticket machines aren’t always easy to locate!
The apps make it clear how much you need to pay for that location. And IF you need to pay at that particular time or day.
When you’re using a pay and display ticket, you have to guess how long you’re going to be. Some apps allow you to adjust your time (without having to return to the vehicle).
With some apps, you can ‘cancel’ stop the time early and get some money back.
Savvy Travel Tips: We use the EasyPark app to pay for parking. It’s used widely in Italy, and you can adjust the time and pay for your parking directly from the app. The various apps charge a service fee each time you park (usually between 20c to €2).
Wrap Up
So that’s it! In this post, I’ve shared my local knowledge and personal experience of the La Spezia Parking situation. Including:
- Best parking for the harbor and marina
- Where to park if you are going from La Spezia to Cinque Terre.
- Where to find free parking in La Spezia
- The most convenient parking for access to the train station, city and port.
- La Spezia “Park and Ride” options.
- Campervan Parking
- How to pay for parking in La Spezia
- Convenient Google My Map with locations marked.
This information is correct at the time of writing. Remember that parking rules can change, so always pay attention to the road markings and signage.
