Find & Book Accommodation in La Spezia & Cinque Terre

Why Stay In La Spezia & Cinque Terre

This part of Italy is compact and easy to move around and in the last decade has developed into a vibrant tourist destination with many accommodation options.

Most tourists are coming here to visit the five towns. But La Spezia also makes a convenient base to explore all of Eastern Liguria (Riviera di Levante).

Additionally, the local transport connections are excellent with trains, boats, and buses linking dozens of towns and cities for a day trip out.

You can also stay in towns like Porto Venere, Lerici, Sarzana, and the seaside town of Levanto.

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A Little About Us

Hi! We are Justin and Lu and we have created La Spezia Guide to help tourists to unlock the secrets of Liguria. This beautiful place is home to the world-famous Cinque Terre, and yet it is still a place to be truly discovered.  

We encourage tourists to stay for a few days and hope that our travel guides and insider tips will help pave your way to a stress-free adventure.  

Buon Viaggio!

La Spezia Accommodation

Sometimes the choice can get overwhelming, and if you’re new to the city (and surrounds) then it’s not always immediately obvious where to stay in La Spezia.

Before we moved here, we visited the city on more than 9 occasions to get a feel for the city and scout out properties for sale. Over time we built up a good understanding of the area and each time we visited we were able to find better and better accommodation.  

In our Insider Guide blog posts, we review different types of accommodation to suit every budget. Using our local knowledge or that of friends and family we can help you choose the best places to stay to match your needs.

Cinque Terre Accommodation

Finding the perfect place to stay in Cinque Terre is a crucial part of planning your trip.  Accommodation options in this picturesque region range from charming guesthouses and cozy B&Bs nestled in the heart of the villages to apartments with stunning sea views and some small boutique hotels.

Given Cinque Terre's popularity, booking in advance, especially during peak season, goes without saying. 

Keep in mind that each village has its own unique character and atmosphere, so consider what kind of experience you're looking for when choosing where to base yourself.

Where Would You Like To Stay?

Local Accommodation – Travel Tips

Location: It’s best to find accommodation that is central to the tourist attractions. This will make it easy and convenient for shopping, restaurants, sightseeing and transport. These areas also tend to be flat and pedestrianized.

Piazza Verde - La Spezia

Luggage: Travel light! Wheelie suitcases are a good option, but Italy has a lot of cobblestones, and many places don’t have elevators. The towns of Cinque Terre and La Spezia are a mixture of flat pedestrian zones and STEEP hills with staircases. If you choose accommodation in the hills and you’re on foot, then be warned, you need to be physically fit and strong.

Parking: La Spezia hotels with parking are few and far between! If you have a car then you’ll need to plan ahead.

Piazza Verde - La Spezia
Cinque Terre Stairways

Airconditioning: Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your hotel or accommodation will be climate-controlled. During July and August, temperatures can rise to 40oC (104oF). Even with a sea breeze, you’ll be surprised how a hot sleepless night can ruin your holiday.  Check for air conditioning (or at the very least a fan) before booking a summertime trip.

City Noise: Cities in Italy don’t seem to enforce night-time noise pollution rules. We live in the hills close to town and can hear train horns and ambulance sirens throughout the night. Unless you’re a real heavy sleeper, you should throw a pair of earplugs in your luggage!

Piazza Verde - La Spezia
Cinque Terre Stairways

Other Helpful Posts & Travel Tips

If you’re driving, then look at our posts relating to transport and best options for parking. There are some free parking options in La Spezia if you’re willing to walk 10-15 minutes to your accommodation. There are even some park-and-ride options with free buses into the city.

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Byron Hotel Lerici
Where to Stay in La Spezia - Affittacamere

Where to Stay in La Spezia & Cinque Terre

There are several types of accommodation available in the region. Most places are listed on Booking.com or Airbnb, so it’s easy to book a hotel, apartment, or hostel.

Luxury Hotels

There are a few 5-star hotels and a bigger choice of cozy 4-star boutique hotels that create a luxury hotel experience.

In the nearby towns of Lerici and Port Venere and along the coast, you can find sophisticated opulence in some of the finest 5-star hotels. Peak season prices start at around 250 Euros per night.

We have several blog posts to help you choose between the best accommodation and hotels in Cinque Terre, La Spezia, and surrounds.

Byron Hotel Lerici

Mid-Range Places to Stay

If you prefer the flexibility of an apartment, then there are many options because of the popularity of online booking apps, this style of accommodation has become very common. Peak season prices start at around 120 Euros per night, but are often more expensive in the popular areas.

Another very popular option in Italy is called ‘Affittacamere’. This is often either a room or a bed and breakfast (B&B) style accommodation. You can see Affittacamere signs up all around the towns to help tourists find their accommodation (often located in apartment buildings).  Peak season prices start at around 100 Euros per night.

Where to Stay in La Spezia - Affittacamere

Hostels & Budget Accommodation

At the budget end of the scale, there are several cheap hotels, and for a shoestring experience, there are a few very good hostels that are comfortable, clean, and friendly. Peak season prices start at around 60 Euros per night.

Levanto Itinerary

ONLY €7

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture & History Fans
  • Beach goers
  • Hikers
  • Photographers

What to Expect

Levanto has plenty to offer, including a long sandy beach, a cute historic town, shops, and restaurants serving traditional cuisine.

This itinerary covers a lot of ground. The one-day adventure starts with an (optional) hike from Monterosso, lunch in Levanto, and sightseeing around the historic town.

By mid-afternoon, you’ll have already experienced panoramic lookouts, cultural and historic landmarks, and charming old town streets.

In the late afternoon, there’s an option to enjoy time on the beach before walking the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) – back in Riomaggiore.

And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.

The itinerary is well-structured so that you know where you need to be and when.  And (because everyone is a little different), we’ve included options so that you can customize it to make your own adventure.

Key Details

Start Time: 9 am
Duration: Full day (12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

Portovenere Itinerary

ONLY €15

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture & History Fans
  • Beach goers
  • Hikers
  • Photographers

What to Expect

Portovenere is not to be missed!

This one-day adventure starts with a ferry ride (from either Cinque Terre or La Spezia) and includes panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and a picturesque harbor.

The day continues with sightseeing, historic landmarks and views, or an optional loop hike from Portovenere, and a stop for lunch with spectacular sea views.

In the afternoon, you can enjoy time on the beach before walking the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) back in Riomaggiore.

And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.

The itinerary is structured with timings, location information, transport guidance and cultural and historical notes. But we’ve given you options, so you can customize it to make your own adventure. We’ve also included notes on a trip over to Palmaria Island, or an optional, organized boat tour of the Gulf of of Poets.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 10 am (according to ferry times) Duration: Full day (almost 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation) Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

3 Days – Cinque Terre & Portovenere Itinerary

ONLY €27

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture, Food & Wine
  • Beach goers
  • Hikers
  • Photographers

What to Expect

We’ve crafted a three day self-guided tour of all five Cinque Terre towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso), plus Portovenere.

This multi-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and picturesque harbors) and two optional hikes.

You will have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.

The itinerary is carefully planned out so that you have enough time at each location to enjoy the best bits and get a feel for each town. Most of the activities are free, but (if you’re looking for something extra special) we’ve selected an optional winery tour, sunset cruise, or pesto-making class that can be slotted into the itinerary!

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 3 full days (3 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

3 Days – Cinque Terre & Levanto Itinerary

ONLY €27

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture, Food & Wine Lovers
  • Beach goers

What to Expect

This is a complete self-guided tour of all five Cinque Terre towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) and Levanto.

This three-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and picturesque harbors) plus two optional hikes.

You will have the opportunity to taste seafood and Ligurian cuisine at local spots, and we’ve included our favorite places to enjoy an aperitivo with a view.

The itinerary sets a nice pace with free activities, but you can choose an optional winery tour, sunset cruise, pesto-making class, or bike tour if you’re looking for something extra special.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 3 full days (3 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

2 Days – All Villages Cinque Terre Itinerary

ONLY €21

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture, Food & Wine Lovers
  • Photographers

What to Expect

This is a complete self-guided adventure of all five Cinque Terre towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

This two-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, and picturesque harbors) plus an optional hike.

The itinerary includes options to enjoy local food and aperitivo with a view.

The itinerary sets a nice pace with free activities, but you can choose to slot in an optional winery tour, sunset cruise or pesto making class to make it extra special.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 2 full days (2 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

4 Villages – Cinque Terre in One Day

ONLY €19

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseers
  • Food & Wine Lovers
  • Photographers
  • Experienced travelers

What to Expect

This is a seamless self-guided adventure through four of Cinque Terre’s most breathtaking villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

This full-day journey maintains a good pace and covers four stunning villages. The itinerary gives you a little bit of everything, so you’ll discover panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, charming old town streets, and picturesque harbors.

There’s also enough time to enjoy a traditional Ligurian lunch, a scenic aperitivo, and a delightful dinner with a view.

The itinerary is jam-packed, but you can also choose to pump the breaks and opt for a winery tour or sunset cruise.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation
Activity Level: Reasonable walking ability and good stamina are a must!

Cinque Terre for Cruise Passengers

ONLY €15

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseers
  • Food & Wine Lovers
  • Photographers
  • Day trippers

What to Expect

Make the most of your limited time in Cinque Terre with this specially designed itinerary tailored for cruise passengers and day trippers!

This is a seamless self-guided adventure through three of Cinque Terre’s most breathtaking villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza.

You can expect to experience stunning panoramic viewpoints, historic sites, and charming old town streets. With this easy-to-use plan, you’ll also have enough time to enjoy a traditional Ligurian lunch and an aperitivo with a view.

For an even easier day, you may wish to opt for a short winery tour or boat tour from Riomaggiore!

Key Details

Start Time: Just before 9 am (adjustable to suit your cruise schedule)
Duration: 8 hours of exploration and time for relaxation
Activity Level: Suitable for anyone with reasonable walking ability

Essential Cinque Terre Itinerary

ONLY €15

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseeing
  • Food lovers
  • Photographers

What to Expect

This 3 town itinerary covers the must-see sights in Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Including a walking tour with panoramic lookouts, historic places of interest, and old town shops and restaurants.

A complete full day, that covers good ground but leaves sufficient time for a traditional lunch, aperitivo, and dinner with a view.

For a more immersive experience, we’ve included recommendations for an optional winery tour and sunset cruise.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 12 hours of exploration and time for relaxation
Activity Level: Suitable for anyone with reasonable walking ability

Free Cinque Terre Itinarary

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Vernazza in Cinque Terre in May

In the meantime, our blog has more great content to help plan your perfect Cinque Terre and Italian getaway.