Things To Do
La Spezia Food Market
Witness the morning hustle and bustle of the open air market as people buy fresh produce, freshly caught fish, meats and cheeses (not open Sundays).
Fratelli di teglia
Favorite focaccia!
La Tortuga Di Claudio
If you want to treat yourself, La Tortuga di Claudio is a gourmet restaurant with fish specialties. Beautiful view and excellent food at a price that is still very reasonable. The restaurant is on the way from La Spezia to Portovenere and you can reach it using public transportation (bus). it is about 100 meters uphill from the main road.
Gelateria Vernazza
Best gelato in town? You be the judge!
La Genuina pasticceria
One of the many, many places where one can get a coffee and pastries for breakfast.
Bar Pasticceria Ilaria
A nice bakery and cafe for a morning croissant and coffee.
Andree restaurant
Michelin Star restaurant Andree will not disappoint the foodies wanting to experience a modern and elegant take on the local cuisine.
Colesterolo La Spezia
A small restaurant in downtown La Spezia where you can enjoy a delicious plate of pasta and some wine for less than $15!
La Pia Centenaria
A great little spot for pizza and a local specialty called Farinata. You can dine in or get slices to go.
Osteria all'Inferno dal 1905
Just 50 meters away from the fresh food open market is the historic underground Trattoria all'inferno. More than 100 years old that serves typical food from La Spezia with large portions and very friendly prices.
Cinque Terre
There is plenty to do in the Cinque Terre! Great food, wine, hiking between towns, small beaches and much more. See if you can find the spot where Lorenzo proposed to Adrienne! *Do not drive! You have to take the train that stops at each town from the La Spezia Centrale train station. https://www.trenitalia.com/en/services/travel-around-5-terre.html
Porto Venere
Porto Venere is a sea village in the province of La Spezia in Liguria. It is located on the southern tip of a peninsula on the western shore of the Gulf of Poets (or Gulf of La Spezia). The surrounding pristine waters feature 3 small islands, called Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. Follow the link for recommendations on how to get to Porto Venere and how to best enjoy it.
Lerici
Lerici is a beautiful coastal town with some site seeing opportunities but mostly known for its beaches. This would be an ideal place to visit if you're looking to spend a day relaxing by the water. *Access is easiest by public bus, boat or taxi. You cannot drive there via rental car.
Venere Azzurra - Lerici (Private and Public Beach)
This is one of the many beaches found in Lerici. You can either rent a lounge chair and umbrella for half or full day from Stabilimento Balneare Venere Azzurra or find a spot on the neighboring public beach (free/no facilities). You can find food, drink and coffee at the cabana of the private beaches or go to the Lerici square for a large assortment of restaurants.
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. It is about a 2 hour train ride to get to Florence from La Spezia
Pisa
Pisa was the birthplace of the scientist Galileo Galilei. The University of Pisa, founded in 1343, had more than 25,000 students in the late 20th century. The city remains the seat of an archbishopric. It takes around 1:15 to get to Pisa from La Spezia.
Province of Lucca
The enchanting city of Lucca is a real travel highlight in Italy. Situated halfway between the popular cities of Pisa and Florence, this little town is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Tuscany. A walk through the historic old town reveals many beautiful attractions, picturesque alleys and charming squares. About 1:30 train ride from La Spezia.