An Underrated Port City In Italy Boasts Cinque Terre Views Without The Hefty Price Tags

Those tourists who have traveled to the iconic Cinque Terre along the Ligurian coast of Italy are likely familiar with La Spezia — but in all probability, haven't stepped foot past its train station or cruise terminal. The city serves as a transfer point for visitors traveling via train to Cinque Terre — considered one of the most beautiful places on the planet — from Rome, Florence, or elsewhere in the southern or central regions of the country. While many visitors to Italy experience La Spezia only from the vantage point of their train windows, it offers enough charm, culture, and overall value to be a destination in its own right.

La Spezia's outer edges have the feeling of a "gritty transportation hub," according to travel expert Rick Steves. But its old town offers charming shops and culinary surprises along winding streets — enough to warrant a day of exploring. A visit to this underrated port town comes with benefits, including fewer crowds and lodging options that are more affordable than the neighboring towns (and tourist meccas) of Pisa and Cinque Terre.

A day in La Spezia should revolve around its old town, a compact, walkable area near the waterfront. The Old Town is home to two sights worth visiting: the Amedeo Lia Museum and Castello di San Giorgio. The Amedeo Lia Museum is made up of 13 rooms, showcasing more than 1,000 works of art from the pre-classical age to the 18th century. A six-minute walk away is Castello di San Giorgio, a stronghold that dates back to the 14th century. Inside the castle is an archaeological museum that tells the story of the Ligurian region of Italy.

When you're finished with the historic sights, head to the Piazza del Mercato, a lively square where you can shop alongside locals for fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, fish, and meat. If you'd rather someone cook for you, just a few steps away is Osteria all'Inferno dal 1905, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in the city. It's housed in the cellars of a 19th-century building and serves up regional specialties: mesciua (a simple, hearty soup made with grains and legumes), stuffed mussels, pasta with pesto, and fried anchovies.

A day in La Spezia isn't complete without a stroll along the water. The city is situated around the Gulf of Poets, named for the many writers who were inspired by the natural beauty of the gulf (that list includes Lord Byron, D.H. Lawrence, and Percy and Mary Shelley). You'll walk through a public garden on the way to the water, and then cross the Thaon de Revel Bridge to a beautiful lookout point. 

If you're set on visiting Cinque Terre, or "Five Lands," staying overnight in La Spezia is a budget-friendly way to do so. Generally speaking, lodging in the city is more affordable than in the fishing villages that make up Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Popular accommodations in La Spezia include The Poet Hotel, a modern building near the train station, and Hotel Venezia, which is within walking distance from shops and restaurants.

The trip from La Spezia to Cinque Terre is an easy one. Train travel in this area is arguably the most efficient way to visit the famous fishing villages. Regional trains arrive about every 20 minutes at the station in La Spezia, bound for Cinque Terre. The ride between the city and Riomaggiore, the closest of the five villages, takes only seven minutes. To ease travel and better manage tourism, the Cinque Terre National Park Authority and Trenitalia (Italy's primary train operator) created a card that offers unlimited train travel between the five villages, as well as La Spezia. (Here's the best way to tell if the Cinque Terre Card is a necessity or a waste of money).

If you want to forego train travel, try the ferry. Ferries operate in the spring, summer, and fall. They leave the port at La Spezia and make stops in Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore (Corniglia doesn't have water access). "This is not the fastest way to get there, but definitely worth the ride as you see all of the towns from the sea," said one TripAdvisor review, written by a tourist who took the ferry from La Spezia to Monterosso. "The train is quicker, but you do not see the sights."