Port of La Spezia Cruise Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions

Welcome to the port of La Spezia!

Conveniently located in the Gulf of La Spezia, on the northwest coast of Italy, La Spezia is the capital city of La Spezia province and the second-largest city in the Liguria region. Due to its favorable geographical position and closeness to Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Cinque Terre, and Genoa, La Spezia has grown into one of the major Italian cruise ports and a frequent stop in the Mediterranean cruise itineraries.

This part of Italy is truly magical and you should plan your day in port as there are so many fantastic places to visit and numerous things to do. In this article, I share with you insider cruise tips and information on:

La Spezia cruise port (La Spezia cruise terminal, getting around, helpful info)
Top 6 things to do in the port of La Spezia, including the shore excursions to Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Lucca and the Tuscan countryside

Visit also our cruise port guides to Livorno, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Taormina (Messina), Sardinia, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Malaga, Cartagena, Lisbon, Villefranche, Cannes, Ajaccio, Marseille

Port of La Spezia

La Spezia cruise terminal is located approximately 3 km/2 miles from the historic heart of the city and the cruise ships dock at the newly built Molo Garibaldi terminal which has two berthing spaces. La Spezia port is a cargo port, so guests are not allowed to walk around the port on their own. Instead, cruise passengers are transferred via free shuttle buses to the La Spezia port terminal building located at the exit of the container port, from where they can access the historic center on foot via Viale S. Bartolomeo and Viale Italia streets.

La Spezia cruise port map. Source: google.com/maps/

Helpful info & links:

The walk to the historic center takes around 20-30 minutes, and the alternative option is to take a taxi to get you there. If you are heading to the train station, the main railway station La Spezia Centrale is located approximately 3 km/2 miles from the terminal exit and I suggest you take a taxi to get you there as the ride lasts less than 10 minutes (a walk takes 45 minutes). From La Spezia Centrale, you can catch trains to Florence, Pisa, Lucca and other cities in Italy. Trains are operated by Trenitalia and you can check the timetables at https://www.trenitalia.com/
The walk to the historic center itself isn’t the most scenic one, and there are not many shops or cafes around. The true feast for the eyes begins when you reach a beautiful seafront promenade overlooking the natural harbor filled with boats and yachts. Here, you can grab a coffee or a bite in one of the bar restaurants offering amazing views of the harbor. From there, you can access some of the main La Spezia attractions and historic landmarks (read more about the top La Spezia attractions under the “Top Things to Do in the Port of La Spezia”).
SHORE EXCURSIONS NOTE: Keep in mind that La Spezia is one of the busiest cruise ports as most of the cruise passengers book day trips to Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. The guests joining the cruise line-sponsored shore excursions will join their tour buses right in front of the ship. Read the instructions written on your tour tickets and make sure you respect your meeting time and place (your tour meeting place will most probably be onboard the ship, however, always read the instructions!) to avoid missing your tour. Guests who book their tour with an independent tour operator will be informed ahead of their tour meeting place and time (most probably you will meet your tour guides in front of the ship or by the exit of the terminal).
When taking a cruise to La Spezia, keep in mind that your day in port will probably be limited to several hours. If you decide to spend your day in the port of La Spezia, you should take it easy and explore the city at your own pace. However, if you plan to go to Cinque Terre, Florence, Pisa, or Lucca, I highly suggest you organize your day ahead as some of these cities are quite far from the port.
I would definitely recommend booking a tour as it’s the most convenient way that guarantees your safe return to the ship. You can book your tour with the cruise line, or an independent tour operator. As mentioned earlier, La Spezia port is one of the busiest ones, and if you book a tour with your cruise line you might expect full buses, crowds, large groups, and limited time on site. On the other hand, independent tour operators offer more privacy, smaller groups, and customized trips. If you are booking with third-party companies, make sure you let them know in advance your ship’s arrival/departure time (although most of them are usually informed as they have a lot of experience in working with cruise lines).
In case you decide to go to Cinque Terre, I have a useful article for you: A Day Trip to Cinque Terre from La Spezia Cruise Port
As the majority of places are quite far from the port and the tours are full-day, it’s highly recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and keep hydrated. For useful cruise packing tips, read my article What to Pack for a Cruise in 2023 – Top 60 Cruise Essentials
The nearest airport to La Spezia is Pisa International Airport and it’s located 86 km/54 miles (a 1-hour drive) southeast of La Spezia cruise terminal. Search the best flights to La Spezia
In case your cruise ship docks at Livorno port, check out my article Livorno Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions for detailed info.
Explore tours and activities from La Spezia
Rent a car in La Spezia cruise port
Book a private transfer to/from La Spezia
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Top 6 Things to Do in the Port of La Spezia

La Spezia port is a perfect gateway to Cinque Terre, Florence, Pisa, Lucca and the Tuscan countryside. Below I share with you detailed info on what to see in these destinations and how to get there. For those of you who prefer to stay in La Spezia, you can skip to number 6. where you can read about the top things to do in the port of La Spezia. Before continuing, I invite you to sign up below and get my exclusive SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE for FREE!

1. Cinque Terre

Known as the “five lands”, Cinque Terre National Park is one of Italy’s greatest treasures of incomparable beauty and one of the main attractions of the Liguria region. Cinque Terre consists of five old fishing villages perched on the mountains and steep cliffs of the Italian Riviera, interconnected by footpaths and accessed on foot, by rail, or by boat.

Surrounded by lush vegetation, vineyards, olive trees, and overlooking the turquoise Ligurian Sea, the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are simply stunning! Picturesque, medieval and authentic, each village boasts an interesting history, and a handful of eateries, shops, historic landmarks, and incredible landscapes.

Cinque Terre - village of Riomaggiore — Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore village

If you are going for a day trip from La Spezia port, you won’t have time to visit all five of them. You can book a shore excursion, or you can go on your own. For more adventurous ones, I suggest you consider hiking as that’s one of the most popular activities in Cinque Terre. I had an opportunity to visit Cinque Terre and Portovenere (the neighboring coastal town that officially doesn’t belong to the Cinque Terre but is equally beautiful) on a tour by boat and it was absolutely spectacular. I wrote about it in detail in my article: A Day Trip to Cinque Terre from La Spezia Cruise Port – I suggest you check it out!

How to Get to Cinque Terre from La Spezia?

BY TRAIN – Take the Cinque Terre Express train from La Spezia Centrale railway station in direction of Levanto (final stop). The trains run every 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the time of the day and season (from mid-March until November trains run every 20 minutes). Your first stop will be Riomaggiore (the ride takes only 8 minutes). After Riomaggiore, the train stops at Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, and Levanto (the distance between the villages is less than a 5-minute ride). The whole circuit (from La Spezia to Levanto and Levanto to La Spezia) takes approximately 30 minutes. You can find timetables and additional information on Trenitalia.com
You can purchase the tickets at the information desk at every train station, and the price starts at 2.20€ per person one way. However, you will need to pay more if you want to get off at more than two villages. If you plan to visit more villages and move without limitations, you should buy Cinque Terre Card that gives you access to the hiking trails with unlimited train rides on the line La Spezia – Cinque Terre – Levanto. This train day pass costs 16€ per person (aged 12 +) and 10€ for children (aged 4-12). You can buy it at every train station or book online.
If you want to use hiking trails only, you can buy Cinque Terre Trekking Card at the price of 7.50€ per adult, and 4.50€ per child. This ticket covers the hiking trails from Monterosso to Vernazza, and Vernazza to Corniglia which are the two most famous trails. However, this ticket doesn’t include an unlimited train ride. Please note that there is no entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park and there are many other hiking trails that are free of charge. Cinque Terre train card can only facilitate your transportation and allow you easier access to the villages. It is super practical for those staying only 1 day in Cinque Terre.
BY FERRY – During the high season, from April to November, there are ferry boats that run from La Spezia ferry terminal to Portovenere and Cinque Terre to Levanto and back. The ferries run every 45 minutes to 1 hour (or sometimes less frequently, make sure to check it at the ferry terminal). To reach the first stop – Portovenere, it takes 45 minutes boat ride. From Portovenere to the first village of Riomaggiore it takes 30 minutes, while the boat ride between the villages takes anywhere from 15-20 minutes. You can get off at every village, except for Corniglia which doesn’t have water access.
There is a daily boat ticket that allows you unlimited boat rides with stops at villages and Portovenere. It costs 35€ per adult (aged 11+) and 20€ per child (aged 6-11). You can opt for a half-day ticket at a price of 27€/adult, 15€/child. As you can see, the ferry ride from La Spezia can take up a lot of time and is not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The alternative option is to buy a one-way ticket from Vernazza to Levanto that costs 12€/adult and 7€/child, however, that ticket will only allow you partial boat sightseeing of the coast.
ON A SHORE EXCURSION – To get the most out of your day, I suggest you book an organized trip or a customized tour that will show you the highlights of Cinque Terre. I think the best way to see the villages is by boat (make sure you sit on the starboard side for the best coastal views) and also don’t miss visiting Portovenere which is equally marvelous. When I went on a tour, we first took a 30-minute bus ride to Portovenere and then embarked on a 1-hour 15-minute boat ride to Monterosso al Mare. Make sure you wear a hat as it can be pretty hot on the open deck. Check out Cinque Terre and Portovenere tours from La Spezia
BY RENTING A CAR/BOOKING A PRIVATE TRANSFER – It is not recommended to drive on your own around Cinque Terre as the majority of villages are closed to car traffic. Riomaggiore and Manarola have small parking above the villages, while Monterosso is the only one with a large parking facility. Vernazza and Corniglia do not have parking facilities. A better option would be to book a round-trip private transfer that would ensure a safe pick-up/drop-off at the designated place. It’s much cheaper than a taxi. The distance between La Spezia and Portovenere is a 30-minute drive, La Spezia – Riomaggiore/ Manarola is a 30-minute drive, La Spezia – Monterosso al Mare/Levanto is a 45-50 minute drive.

2. Florence

The cradle of the Renaissance and the charming capital of the Tuscany region, Florence is on the bucket list of many cruise travelers cruising to La Spezia. The city itself is a masterpiece – its palaces, museums, art galleries, old narrow streets, and alleys throw you back to the Golden Age of Renaissance and its masterminds who made Florence one of the most artistic and beautiful cities in the world.

The distance between La Spezia and Florence is around 150 km/93 miles (a 1h 45-minute drive). One day in Florence is certainly not enough, and because of this, I definitely suggest you book an organized tour that will include stops at the city’s most famous attractions and landmarks. Some of these include:

Duomo Cathedral – Dating from the 13^th century, this monumental cathedral was named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore and is one of the most spectacular sights in Florence. The cathedral is known for its red-tiled dome designed by Renaissance artist Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15^th century, its elegant tower and a colorful marble façade. The entrance to the cathedral is free, which usually results in long lines at the entrance. However, if you want to visit the Museum, the Baptistery, and climb up to the dome and the bell tower, you need to purchase a ticket. Check out the skip-the-line Duomo tickets
The Gates of Paradise – The famous golden doors are the main gate of St. John’s Baptistery located in front of Duomo Cathedral. The doors depict Biblical religious scenes and are a 15th-century masterpiece created by Florentine artist Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Uffizi Gallery – Housed in the 16^th century Renaissance palace, near Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi gallery is a remarkable art gallery featuring rich collections of Primitive and Renaissance masterpieces, including Giotto, Botticelli, Paulo Uccello, Masaccio, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and others.
Piazza della Signoria – The main square in the city is dominated by the 14th-century imposing tower of Palazzo Vecchio, filled with restaurants, shops, and historic landmarks.
Ponte Vecchio – At a stone’s throw from Piazza della Signoria and Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio is a picturesque medieval bridge over the Arno river.
Santa Maria Novella – Dating from the mid-13^th century, this magnificent church boasts an extraordinary marble façade and houses valuable medieval and Renaissance masterpieces, including Giotto’s crucifix.

The list goes on and on. As mentioned above, I suggest you take the Florence walking tour as the heart of the city is best explored on foot. You probably won’t take time to enter the museums, so I would go for a leisurely stroll through the city and an exterior visit to the most famous attractions. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes, as some areas are cobblestone. Florence is also crowded, so in case you plan to visit a specific museum or landmark, make sure you pre-book your admission tickets.

Santa Maria del Fiore - Florence Cathedral — Santa Maria del Fiore – Florence Cathedral

How to Get to Florence from the port of La Spezia?

ON A SHORE EXCURSION – This is what I highly recommend because you are guaranteed to get back to the ship (keep in mind that the ride takes a 1h 45-minute drive each way). You can choose between a cruise-line sponsored shore excursion or a customized/small-group tour booked with an independent tour company.
BY TRAIN – You can catch a train at La Spezia Centrale and get off at Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station located within a short walking distance from the historic heart of Florence. The trains run frequently (once up to three times per hour), however, most of them are not direct trains and you need to change a train in the cities of Pisa or Empoli. The direct train ride can take up to 2h 45 minutes, while the connecting ride takes up to 2h 15 minutes one way. The prices start at 14€ per person one way. As you can see, the train is not a good option if you stay in La Spezia port for a limited time. You can check the timetables at https://www.trenitalia.com/
BY PRIVATE TRANSFER – If you want to explore Florence at your own pace, a private transfer is a cheaper option than a taxi. Book a private transfer from La Spezia to Florence

3. Pisa

Home to the world-famous Leaning Tower, Pisa is another popular day trip for cruisers docking in La Spezia. The distance between La Spezia cruise port and Pisa is 77 km/48 miles, or approximately a 1-hour drive one way, which makes it a perfect getaway for cruise travelers. Pisa is definitely most famous for its iconic Leaning Tower that dominates the Square of Miracles (Piazza del Miracoli), a vast open space that is home to several other impressive monuments including the Cathedral, Pisa Baptistery, and the cemetery.

The 50-meter-high marble Tower is actually the bell tower of the Cathedral standing next to it and was constructed between the 12^th and 13^th centuries (Fun fact: the Tower started leaning before it was even finished). At the end of the 20^th century, the reconstruction of the Tower’s base started and after a decade it was finally reopened for the public.

Leaning Tower in Pisa. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.

Entrance tickets to the Tower are limited and it is wise to book in advance. The standard ticket bought on-site costs 18€ for both children and adults. Children under 8 are not allowed to climb the Tower for safety reasons, and those aged between 8 and 18 must climb with an accompanying adult.

During your visit, make sure you visit the monumental medieval marble-striped Cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, as well as the Baptistery of St John. You’ll be enchanted by the splendor of these landmarks that don’t leave anyone indifferent. To top off your day, you can grab a bite at one of the eateries and cafes surrounding the Square of Miracles.

Hot to Get to Pisa from La Spezia Port?

BY TRAIN – La Spezia is well connected to the city of Pisa and trains run 1-3 times per hour. The train ride lasts between 1h and 1h 15 minutes. You will get off at Pisa Centrale train station, and then walk 20 minutes to the Square of Miracles and Leaning Tower. The ticket price starts at 7.90€ per person, one way.
ON A SHORE EXCURSION – There are many shore excursions to Pisa and you can choose between Pisa guided tours and exploring on your own. Make sure you pre-book the tickets to the Leaning Tower in case they are not included in the tour price. Explore Pisa tours and tickets from La Spezia
BY CAR – It is not recommended to travel by car as the historic center of Pisa is closed to traffic, and parking lots are not free. However, the best option is to book a round-trip private transfer to Pisa – the prices are more affordable than taxi prices. Book a private transfer from La Spezia to Pisa

4. Lucca

Another Tuscany’s hidden gem, Lucca is a charming town located a 1-hour drive from La Spezia port (77 km/48 miles). This historic city is located on a plain at the bottom of the Apuan Alps which makes it an ideal location for those guests with walking difficulties.

One of Lucca’s main attractions is a 4 km long flat pedestrian promenade built on top of the 16^th century Renaissance city walls that defended the city in the past. The promenade is well-maintained and offers beautiful panoramic views of the city. The walls are fully accessible on foot or bike (bike rental is around 3€ per hour), and there are many benches along the promenade where you can sit, relax and indulge in Italian gelato.

The panorama of Lucca. Source: Pixabay.com

Once you pass through the wall closest to the train station and enter the heart of the old town, you will soon arrive at the magnificent St. Michael’s Church (San Michele al Foro, commonly referred to as il Duomo), dating from the 11^th century. Renovated over centuries, the church is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and holds a large number of valuable artworks and masterpieces.

Another landmark that you should visit during your stroll is Piazza dell’Anfiteatro – an oval-shaped square and an ancient site of a Roman amphitheater, nowadays filled with old buildings, restaurants, and shops. Known as the “city of one hundred churches”, Lucca is truly beautiful and besides historic landmarks offers nice shopping and a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and gelaterias to indulge in.

Cathedral of Lucca, Tuscany — Lucca Cathedral. Source: Pixabay.com

How to Get to Lucca from the Port of La Spezia?

BY TRAIN – There is no direct train from La Spezia to Lucca. Once you catch a train at La Spezia Centrale, you need to change the train at Viareggio or Pisa train stations and then continue to Lucca. From Pisa to Lucca it takes a 15-20 minute train ride. The overall ride takes from 1 hour to two hours one way, depending on the train timetables and time of the day. Normally, the trains run once per hour and ticket prices start at 7.90€ per person, one way. Once in Lucca, you’ll get off at Piazza Ricasoli train station and walk to the city walls for about 5-8 minutes. Check the timetables on Trenitalia.com
BOOK A TOUR/PRIVATE TRANSFER – Check out the top-rated Lucca shore excursions from La Spezia on Viator and Get Your Guide
Book a private transfer from La Spezia to Lucca

5. Tuscan Countryside

Besides historic cities and a variety of landmarks, Tuscany boasts endless green valleys, scenic fields, hills, and vineyards. Chianti region is renowned for its premium quality wines and there are numerous wineries and wine estates where you can enjoy wine tasting and food and wine pairing.

The best way to explore the Tuscan countryside is on a shore excursion. Budget-allowing, you can book a customized trip that includes a visit to Pisa and other cities and villages. To complete your stay, make sure you take time to delight in Italian pasta, bruschetta, cheeses, and other typical dishes paired with Tuscan red and sweet wines.

Tuscan countryside and vineyards — Tuscan countryside

6. La Spezia Highlights

For guests who decide to stay in the town, there are several La Spezia highlights you can visit:

Castello San Giorgio – Built in the 14^th century on a hilltop dominating the town, St. George castle and its archeological museum feature exhibits of ancient sculptures and artifacts dating from the Roman period. The absolute highlight of the castle is its open rooftop from where you can admire the majestic views of the city, harbor, and surrounding mountains. You can reach the castle on foot, however, there is an elevator at the bottom of the hill that will take you to the castle’s entrance for free. Castello San Giorgio website
Cathedral of Christ the King (Cattedrale di Cristo Re) – A modernly designed, circular Catholic Cathedral was constructed in the second half of the 20^th century and certainly represents one of the major curiosities of La Spezia. It is definitely unique, as its round form and architectural innovations don’t match the traditional religious sites we are used to. It is the main Cathedral in the city, so I highly suggest you visit it.
Our Lady of the Assumption (The Church of Santa Maria Assunta) – Peacefully situated in the heart of La Spezia’s old town, this beautiful church dates from the 13^th century. The church is an active place of worship and boasts a remarkable collection of religious artworks, including sculptures created by notable Renaissance artists Andrea della Robbia and Giovanni Battista Casoni. It has been rebuilt several times throughout history, including the complete reconstruction after suffering significant damage during World War II.
Monument of Giuseppe Garibaldi – A monument dedicated to one of Italy’s “fathers of the fatherland” and the most prominent Italian generals proudly dominates the Giardini Pubblici – Community Garden of La Spezia, located only a few minutes walk from the scenic harbor and promenade. The bronze monument inaugurated in 1913 is the symbol of the city and is believed to be one of the most beautiful ones in the entire province. The monument is situated in the vicinity of another gorgeous park – Parco Salvador Allende, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning views of the harbor.
Via del Prione – Located in the heart of the Old Town, Via del Prione is one of the main pedestrian streets where you will find a handful of shops, restaurants, cafes, and several museums (Ethnographic and Art museum). Explore its historic alleys, go shopping, delight in pizza and Italian gelato, or simply walk around and soak up the local atmosphere…. You’ll be surprised by what this city has to offer!

Check out La Spezia tours and activities

Wrapping Up

The beauty of Italy cannot be put into words. You have to feel its vibe and learn to appreciate the art, as everything in this part of Italy is art. Marvelous architecture, paintings, and sculptures, but also art in wine-making, food-preparing, and the way of living. Make sure you plan your day ahead to get the most out of La Spezia cruise port!