Europe Italy The Top 9 Things to Do in La Spezia, Italy By Elizabeth Heath Elizabeth Heath Twitter Elizabeth Heath has lived in the Umbria region of Italy since 2009 and has been writing for TripSavvy since 2017. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 09/15/22 Fact checked by Michelai Graham Fact checked by Michelai Graham Michigan State University American University Michelai Graham is a technology and business reporter who has written for The Urban Institute and Scoop News. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. TripSavvy's fact-checking Chira Chirakijja / TripSavvy La Spezia is a busy port city on the Mediterranean Sea in the Liguria province of northern Italy. After Genoa, it is the second-largest city in the province. La Spezia is home to a major Italian naval base and is considered a gateway to the Cinque Terre, the famous chain of five picturesque seaside villages. Many travelers use La Spezia as a base for day trips to the Cinque Terre and other nearby points of interest. The city was heavily bombed during World War II, and many of its historic buildings were destroyed. But La Spezia still has several worthwhile attractions to explore, and you could easily spend a day or two there before or after your trip through the Cinque Terre. Here are nine things to see and do in La Spezia, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. 01 of 09 Take a Boat Ride to the Cinque Terre Chira Chirakijja / TripSavvy View Map Address Cinque Terre, SP, Italy Get directions While many visitors depart from La Spezia for a multi-day trip spent hiking between the five villages of the Cinque Terre, not everyone has the desire or physical stamina for the journey. Several companies offer regularly scheduled and chartered tours of the Cinque Terre towns, departing from La Spezia marina. It's an incredibly scenic way to see this famed stretch of coastline, particularly if you don't want to do a lot of walking and are content just to hit the highlights. 02 of 09 Wander the Centro Storico TripSavvy / Christopher Larson View Map Address Centro Storico, 19121 La Spezia SP, Italy Get directions Much of La Spezia centro storico, or historic center, was destroyed during the war. But there are some nice pockets of preserved buildings, as well as some interesting post-war architecture. Unlike many Italian centros with a real touristy feel, La Spezia is a lived-in, working city where you can get a feel for daily life in an Italian port town. 03 of 09 Explore the Castello di San Giorgio TripSavvy / Christopher Larson View Map Address Via XXVII Marzo, SN, 19121 La Spezia SP, Italy Get directions Phone +39 0187 751142 Web Visit website Set on a hill overlooking La Spezia, Castello di San Giorgio is a castle-fortress founded in the 1200s, though most of the present-day structure is from the 1600s. There is an archaeological museum in the castle, with a good collection of Roman artifacts. You can walk up a series of stairs to reach the castle or take an elevator. 04 of 09 Visit the Technical Naval Museum Chira Chirakijja / TripSavvy View Map Address Viale Giovanni Amendola, 1, 19121 La Spezia SP, Italy Get directions Phone +39 0187 784763 Web Visit website Military and naval history buffs and kids who like big guns and cannons will enjoy this small museum of the Italian Navy. There's also a nice collection of model ships. The museum is located near the harbor, at the entrance to the Navy Arsenal. Continue to 5 of 9 below. 05 of 09 Visit the Santa Maria Assunta Church TripSavvy / Christopher Larson View Map Address P.za Flavio Gioia, 84017 Positano SA, Italy Get directions Phone +39 089 875480 Web Visit website This abbey church dates to at least the early 1400s, though it was almost completely destroyed during WWII bombings. It was rebuilt after the war and reconsecrated in 1954. Fortunately, many of its priceless artworks were spared during the war years, including terra cotta relief sculptures from Andrea Della Robbia. 06 of 09 Browse Fine Italian Art at the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia TripSavvy / Christopher Larson View Map Address Via del Prione, 243, 19121 La Spezia SP, Italy Get directions Phone +39 0187 727220 Web Visit website This museum of art presents works from antiquity through the 20th century that were once part of the private collection of La Spezia resident Amedeo Lia. The collection includes ancient Roman sculptures, religious works, and paintings from Titian, Tintoretto, and the Italian Futurists. Art lovers should definitely make a stop here. 07 of 09 Tour the Gulf of the Poets Chira Chirakijja / TripSavvy View Map Address La Spezia, SP, Italy Get directions The body of water on which La Spezia sits is called the Gulf of the Poets, so named because it was a place of inspiration for several English Romantic poets. Percy Bysshe Shelley actually drowned in the waters nearby. Though the gulf is much more built up than it was during Shelley's era, it is still quite stunning. Consider hiring a boat for a self-guided or chartered tour of the gulf. 08 of 09 Find Hidden Islands and Beaches TripSavvy / Christopher Larson View Map Address Tino, Porto Venere, SP, Italy Get directions The picturesque islands of Tino, Tinetto, and Palmaria in the Gulf of the Poets are well-worth visiting by boat. But if you wish to stay on drier land, the pebbly beaches at Lerici and Portovenere are a short drive from La Spezia. Continue to 9 of 9 below. 09 of 09 Celebrate Italian Father's Day (March 19) March 19 is San Giuseppe Day, the saint's day honoring Joseph (Giuseppe), husband of Mary. It's celebrated as Father's Day in Italy, but it holds special significance in La Spezia, as San Giuseppe is the city's patron saint. There's a huge market from March 17-19, and the 19th is the one day of the year that the naval base is open to the public. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email