Our most recommended things to do in La Spezia

La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Boat

1. La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Boat

Experience the Cinque Terre coast by boat and take in gorgeous views of vineyards terraces and charming buildings from the sea. Make time to stop at Riomaggiore or Portovenere, then Monterosso, and Vernazza along the way. Start at La Spezia's harbor and sail through the Gulf of the Poets . Sail to the first stop: Riomaggiore or Portovenere ( depends on tour availability ) and marvel the beauty of the Village. In Monterosso al Mare, explore the medieval historic center and marvel at the parish church dedicated to St. John, the Baptist. Then continue the sailing to Vernazza, the pearl of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza presents itself to visitors as the prow of a ship: most of the village is in fact built on a small promontory that ends at the sea with an imposing fortification system. At the end of the tour, enjoy free time and take the chance to taste the local wine and food, or go for a swim in the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean before returning to La Spezia.

From Florence: Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre

2. From Florence: Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre

Visit one of Italy's most enchanting destinations, Cinque Terre, on a day trip by coach, train, and boat. Each of these unforgettable little cities will take your breath away with their gravity-defying dance above the azure waters. This day trip will give you an unforgettable and fun introduction to this coastal gem. Begin your tour of these UNESCO sites at daybreak with your arrival in La Spezia. Board a train to Riomaggiore, a quaint medieval town dating to the 13th century. Marvel at the winding streets of this village and its charming houses leaning one against the other. Next, head over to Manarola to enjoy panoramic views. Continue on to Monterosso, an ancient fishing village considered the "pearl of the Cinque Terre." Finally, take a boat across to Vernazza, whose natural port has kept it safe from invaders for centuries.

Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hike

3. Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hike

Get a taste of 'la dolce vita' on this jam-packed tour to the Cinque Terre, a collection of quintessential Italian towns dotted along the coast of Tuscany. After meeting your guide in central Florence, listen to an insightful introduction about the Cinque Terre on the 2-hour bus journey to La Spezia. After a quick bathroom break, board the first train of the day. Arrive in Manarola, the first of the Cinque Terre villages you will visit. Here you will join a small guided walk through the vines, and then enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Next, take the train to Corniglia. Climb the steps to reach the center of the quaint village and wander around. Then, choose to either go on a guided hike to Vernazza, or if you prefer to take it easy, follow your guide and take a train instead. Once in Vernazza, sit at one of the local cafés, or take a dip in the sea. Next, board a train to Monterosso, the village renowned for its beautiful beaches and artisan shops. If the weather allows it, you will then board a boat to navigate along the coast of the Cinque Terre. Arrive in Riomaggiore, an ancient fishing village and the most southern of the 5 villages. After exploring this last village, board the train back to La Spezia and then take the coach back to Florence.

From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Train with Limoncino

4. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Train with Limoncino

Once you arrive at the port of La Spezia, meet your tour guide at the cruise terminal. Take a 20-minute walk to arrive at the train station from where you will begin your adventure. On the walk, you will discover the beautiful city center of La Spezia. Trains are undoubtedly the ideal means of transportation to explore the area, in just 15 minutes, passing through the sheer heights of the Ligurian Sea, you will reach Vernazza, one of the most colorful villages in the area. Here you can enjoy some free time in this picturesque village, characterized by pastel-colored houses with beautiful views of crystal clear waters. The second stop will be Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages, which also owns a stunning beach characterized by fine white sand and a clear and transparent sea. Here you will have a surprise reserved for you, a stop to taste the delicious Limoncino in a traditional shop. This exquisite liqueur is ideal to toast for the wonderful day that you are spending, immersed in the nature, colors, and flavors of this fascinating and unique land. After having some free time in Monterosso, take the train to Riomaggiore, the last stop before coming back to La Spezia. This small village, like the other four, offers breathtaking views of the coast, as well as glimpses of the daily lives of the fishermen with their traditional boats that you will see tied to the port. Also, if you are staying at La Spezia, choose the best starting point for you: the cruise port or the train station.

From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Speedboat Tour

5. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Speedboat Tour

Explore the beautiful cliffs, beaches, and colorful towns of the Cinque Terre on a sailing tour from La Spezia. You will see all five picturesque villages characterized by pastel-colored houses on a 4-hour speedboat tour. Start your tour from Passeggiata Morin in La Spezia and sail along the western coast of the Gulf of Poets. Admire the beautiful landscape of the four villages that make up the Borgata Marinara. Continue sailing towards Portovenere, where you will cross the Le Bocche, a strait between the town of Portovenere and the wild Palmaria Island. See the magnificent Romanesque church of San Pietro, set among the rocks and overlooking the sea. Discover the unspoiled coves of Le Rosse, Monesteroli, and Punta Pineda along the coastline. Grab a chance to dip in the pristine waters of the Cinque Terre Natural Park. Marvel at the beauty of Monterosso al Mare, the last and most vibrant of the five villages. Here you can enjoy local specialties such as focaccia with anchovies or delicious gelato. Pass through the famous muscle farms while returning to La Spezia. 

La Spezia: A sightseeing tour with Italian-inspired music

6. La Spezia: A sightseeing tour with Italian-inspired music

On a 2,5 to 3 h musical walk through the most beautiful places of La Spezia, I will show you the great seafaring city from a poetic perspective. The soundtrack for your excursion will be sung live. To my little mini-concerts with vocals and guitar, I tell you some secrets and legends of this Mediterranean treasure. Come with me on a happy, lively and colourful journey into the heart of the Ligurian lifestyle. My music is Italian-inspired or selected by me to match the respective tour highlight. We start at the promenade with hundreds of palm trees, visit the Marina "Porto Mirabello", cross the park with the exotic plants and the imposing Garibaldi monument. We stroll through the old town with its typical ligurian houses, bars, Shops, the fish market and the architecturally interesting art nouveau Palazzos, the Wagner-Monument and the famous staircases that lead to the upper town. Don't worry, we reach the highest point of the old town by the funicular. Here the medieval fortress awaits with a fantastic panoramic view over the Gulf of the Poets. There is enough time to visit the castle and its museum. And, of course, to listen to the exciting legends of the "Gulf of Poets" and the music of your host. On foot, we walk down the picturesque main staircase back to the lower town, past the arcades to the modern Piazza Europa. Finally, I sing Schubert's "Ave Maria" in the round cathedral. Then we return together to the starting point. Alternative: I'll show you where to get the best focaccia or the most delicious homemade ice cream. Highlights: I take you to the Wagner Monument. There I sing the Wedding March from his opera "Lohengrin" for my guests. On the hilltop castle "San Giorgio" there is enough time to visit the museum*. Of course, there are legends & music from me again. Let's go: Come with me on my musical walk and experience La Spezia like private guests. Naturally I will also translate your ice cream or focaccia orders in Italian language ;-). The music: On my tour you will enjoy a potpourri of rock'n'roll, folk, pop, film music and classical music. About: I am a German musician and have lived in Italy for many years out of love for the country. I studied music in Paris and Hamburg and have performed on many rock, pop and classical stages and on TV. I speak German, English or Italian .

From La Spezia: Florence & Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion

7. From La Spezia: Florence & Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion

Discover Florence and Pisa with a roundtrip transfer from La Spezia. Explore Florence, known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, at your own pace or see the city on an optional walking tour. Head on to Pisa and admire the famous monuments before you return to La Spezia. After arriving easily at the meeting point following the instructions provided, you will be welcomed by an easily-identifiable staff member who will provide you with the map of the city, the code to use the Wi-Fi, and priority access to the bus that will take you to the the Santa Maria Novella area of Florence. Once you arrive start exploring the city, the cradle of the Renaissance, considered an open-air museum, and its numerous masterpieces. With 3.5 hours of free time, visit the San Lorenzo market, Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Republica, and the old bridge. Choose to explore the small alleys set between medieval and Renaissance palaces or wander through the shopping streets as well as taste some typical local dishes. Make the most of your time by choosing the walking tour option. This walking tour covers the main monuments. Continue to the second stop in Pisa for 1.5 hours of free time where you can see sights the wonders of the Meadow of Miracles. Select the best pose to immortalize your time at the leaning tower of Pisa. Return on time guaranteed.

La Spezia: Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitivo and Snacks

8. La Spezia: Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitivo and Snacks

Programme: We will be waiting for you at the embarkation point (Banchina Revel, La Spezia), 10 minutes before the departure time. With a 2-hour tour during the Golden Hour, starting from La Spezia (Banchina Revel), we will guide you through the secrets of the Gulf and the 3 Islands: - Torre Scola, an ancient military fort built in the 16th century and damaged during the Napoleonic wars - Portovenere, the true pearl of the Gulf, unrivalled in beauty and magic - The Roman Church of San Pietro, perched on the promontory of Portovenere is considered the most beautiful in the world - The Blue Cave in Palmaria, which turns golden at sunset - The historic Tino lighthouse, one of the few remaining lighthouses in Europe still in operation - The Madonna Stella Maris, which emerges from the waters in front of Tinetto and protects sailors and the Gulf - The ancient funicular railway used until the Second World War to load the precious marble from the local quarries onto ships - The many military installations and bunkers from the First and Second World War

From La Spezia: Round-Trip to Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion

9. From La Spezia: Round-Trip to Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion

Explore Pisa with this shore excursion from La Spezia. Upon disembarking, you'll take one of the free shuttle buses from the pier to the terminal to meet your easily recognizable tour leader outside the terminal. After admiring the Unesco Piazza Dei Miracoli, choose the city walking option to have the opportunity to see the hidden treasures of the medieval city. Walk through the Piazza Dei Cavalieri, borgo stretto, see the birthplace of Galileo Galilei, the Vettovaglie market, and much more. Choose the tower ticket option, to climb to the top of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and enter its spectacular Cathedral with priority access. At the end of your experience, you will return to La Spezia to board the ship guaranteed on time.

La Spezia: Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitif

10. La Spezia: Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitif

Enjoy the sunset from the water with an afternoon boat tour from La Spezia. Ride with ease across the water towards Palmaria Island, and make a visit to Portovenere Town.  Make stops along the way to swim directly from the boat, and enjoy an aperitif of local production as the sun sets and fills the sky with delicate colors.  Meet your captain and depart from Porto Mirabello towards Palmaria Island. Take in the sights as you enjoy the sensation of being at peace on the water. Discover the town of Portovenere and Parco delle cinque Terre and learn all about the area from your guide.  Taste provided appetizers, only from local products, such as fresh fruit and a glass of local wine. Stop and swim directly off of the boat, and finish the tour watching the sunset in a completely relaxing and serene environment. 

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What people are saying about La Spezia

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 3,980 reviews

Coach from Florence to Le Spezia followed by train between villages and then coach from Le Sepzia back to Florence. Tour leaders were Christian and Ato and driver was Fabio. Because you need to get trains between villages you are on a tight schedule however they try to be a flexible as possible. The Tour leaders were very friendly and knowledgeable. Spend time in Manarola, Corniglia with optional lunch @ 15 euros each of seafood plate and pasta with pesto, potato and green beans. Some then walked to Vernazza, while others took train. Then Monterosso al Mare. It was from here we were to catch a boat back to Riomaggiore however the sea was too rough. So back on the train to Riomaggiore which is one of the most photographed villages in the world. Only downside was the length of the tour and time in each town. Might be better option to drop one of the town and allow more time in the other towns but not sure how they would be able to do this.

What an amazing experience, Addo and his colleague (unfortunately I can’t recall his name) were amazing, literally the best tour guides I’ve had in my life. They were so knowledgeable on everything, there was not a single question they could not answer. They were perfectly in sync the whole time when the group had to move from one location to another. When we used the trains they always knew where everyone was and made sure everyone knew when to get on and off the trains. Their communication were very clear and you knew exactly what needed to happen all the time. 10/10 for them. Would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see Cinque Terre. Truly exceptional.

Ado and Chris were amazing and knowledgeable hosts. My husband and I had never been on an organised tour before and they made it so easy and enjoyable.

packed day, but we were still given free time! our guide Alice was super nice

The best tour I had during my trip! Very well organized.