Wedged between the Ligurian Sea and the Apennine hills, La Spezia sits on Italy’s northwestern coast, halfway between Genoa and Pisa. The city is best known as the main gateway to Cinque Terre, the string of colorful seaside villages that draw travelers from around the world. With a working port, a scenic gulf, and a relaxed local pace, La Spezia is the practical and affordable base for exploring this famous coastline—so let’s uncover the best areas to stay in La Spezia.
Though often overlooked in favor of its more photogenic neighbors, the city has plenty to see. The top cultural attractions in La Spezia include the Castello San Giorgio, which dates back to the 14th century and contains Roman and medieval artifacts, the Museo Tecnico Navale, which traces the city’s naval heritage, and the Civic Museum Amedeo Lia, home to paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries. Meanwhile, the Passeggiata Morin waterfront promenade, lined with palm trees and cafés, is home to the main harbor, which operates ferry services to Lerici, Portovenere, and the Cinque Terre villages.
However, one of the main reasons travelers choose to stay in La Spezia is the lower accommodation prices compared with Cinque Terre. The national park’s five cliffside villages—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—are famous for their colorful houses, terraced vineyards, and coastal trails. Staying in La Spezia means easy access by train and ferry to these UNESCO-listed villages without the crowds or high prices.
It doesn’t matter if you plan to stay in La Spezia to visit Cinque Terre or to visit the town. Keep reading this post to learn more about the best places to stay in La Spezia.
The Best Areas to Stay in La Spezia, Italy: A Summary
If you don’t have time to read the full article, here’s a quick summary of our recommended areas to stay in La Spezia. Keep reading to learn more about each location.
- Best area for sightseeing: Cinque Terre
- Best location for families: La Spezia City Center
- Cheapest area to stay: East La Spezia
What’s the best area to stay in La Spezia, Italy?
As with most Italian cities, the best area to stay in La Spezia is the city center or Centro Storico, whether it is your first time in town, you are travelling for business, or you are visiting Cinque Terre. Staying here, you’ll be close to La Spezia’s central rail station and the port, both of which have connections to Cinque Terre and other places in Italy. The city center is also where some of the best-rated hotels in town are located.
Find available accommodation in La Spezia Centro.
Best Hotels in La Spezia City Center
- Best 4-star hotel: NH La Spezia
- Best 3-star hotel: Hotel Corallo
- Best budget hotel: Hotel Ca’ Dei Costa
- Best B&B/guest house: Affittacamere Le Camere Nel Corso
- Best hostel: Costello
- Best serviced apartments: Sea & Culture – 5 Terre La Spezia
What are the most convenient areas to stay in La Spezia?
Although it may seem contradictory, the best area in La Spezia for sightseeing is Cinque Terre. After all, most tourists visiting the region come to see the colourful houses perched on the cliffs above the sea. However, there are several other interesting areas in which to stay in La Spezia, including:
- Cinque Terre: The five villages that make up Cinque Terre are all charming and beautiful on their own. You can stay at Vernazza, with a beach on which you can swim and a small castle, the more lively Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare or Manarola if you’re into hiking. All towns are connected by train.
- La Spezia Centro Storico: Staying in the city center, you’ll be close to a handful of attractions, including the Castle of Saint Giorgio and the promenade. This area has the best hotels in town, such as the NH La Spezia. From here, you can also take a train to Cinque Terre and Genoa or a cruise to other parts of Italy.
- Eastern La Spezia: If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option while backpacking through Italy, the eastern part of La Spezia may be the best choice. This area’s accommodation consists mostly of tourist apartments, but you can also stay in hotels like the Hotel Ghironi. Although East La Spezia has no popular tourist attractions, this quiet residential area has malls, supermarkets, and everything you need to save money while traveling.
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Areas to Stay in La Spezia
1. La Spezia Centro (City Center)
The most convenient location in La Spezia
Home to historical landmarks and connected to Cinque Terre by train and boat, the City Center is the ideal location in La Spezia.
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Why is this the best area to stay in La Spezia:
- Heart of the city
- Connected to Cinque Terre by train
- Castello San Giorgio
- Best hotels in La Spezia
- Seaside promenade
- Cruises and ferrys to other cities
La Spezia’s Centro district is located between the railway station and the waterfront. Thanks to its many cultural sights and quick access to transport, it’s an excellent location to stay in La Spezia and visit Cinque Terre.
La Spezia’s historic core took shape in the 13th century as a fortified settlement. It later expanded during the 19th century when the naval arsenal turned the town into a major port. Most buildings date from the late 1800s to early 1900s, with ground floors occupied by markets and restaurants.
Unlike most Italian towns, La Spezia’s oldest and most central district follows a uniform grid layout. Its main streets, Via del Prione and Corso Cavour, are filled with small shops and cafés.
Among its main attractions are the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia, which exhibits European art from the 13th to 18th centuries, and the Naval Technical Museum, which displays ship models, navigation instruments, and relics from Italy’s naval history. In addition, the Castello San Giorgio features medieval fortifications and archaeological finds, and the Giardini Pubblici offer monuments, fountains, and sea views.
At night, the city center stays active. Most bars and restaurants cluster along Corso Cavour, Via del Prione, and the nearby Piazza Sant’Agostino. Locals usually start the evening with aperitivo drinks before moving on to trattorias serving seafood, pesto pasta, and focaccia. A few cocktail bars and late cafés keep the streets busy until after midnight, especially on weekends.
Excellent public transportation connections also make La Spezia Centro a convenient base for visiting Cinque Terre. La Spezia Centrale station, located at the northern edge of the district, provides frequent direct trains to all Cinque Terre villages. Meanwhile, the town’s harbor operates ferries, boat tours, and cruises to Porto Venere, Lerici, and the Cinque Terre villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso.
Local buses connect the city center with other neighborhoods and nearby towns, and most local attractions are within walking distance.
La Spezia Centro has many accommodation options, including family-run guesthouses, modern hotels, and vacation apartments. In addition, staying in La Spezia is considerably cheaper than in Cinque Terre, making it a smart base for travelers.
Best Hotels in La Spezia City Center
NH La Spezia
The NH La Spezia hotel faces the Ligurian Sea and offers rooms with complimentary WiFi and an on-site restaurant. It is also within a five-minute walk of the city center and the harbor, which provides links to the Cinque Terre UNESCO site.
Hotel Corallo
Conveniently located in La Spezia, Hotel Corallo is easily accessible from the motorway and close to the ferry to Cinque Terre. The hotel is also just a 10-minute bus ride from the railway station. Recently restored, the hotel’s elegant rooms are equipped with modern facilities.
Hotel Ca’ Dei Costa
Hotel Costa is just a short walk from the port, where you can catch a ferry to the beautiful Cinque Terre and other destinations along the Golfo dei Poeti. All rooms at the Costa Hotel include free Wi-Fi access.
Affittacamere Le Camere Nel Corso
Located in the center of La Spezia, Le Camere Nel Corso offers rooms with air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi access is also available in all areas.
Costello
Costello is located in La Spezia and offers a shared kitchen, lounge, and free WiFi.
Sea & Culture – 5 Terre La Spezia
Offering city views, a restaurant, and free WiFi, Sea & Culture—5 Terre La Spezia is well situated in La Spezia, within a short distance of Saint George’s Castle, the Technical Naval Museum, and the Amedeo Lia Museum.
2. Cinque Terre
The Best Area for Sightseeing
A must-visit destination, Cinque Terre is home to some of the most charming hotels in Italy.
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Why is this the best area to stay in La Spezia:
- Best area for romantic getaways
- Beach access
- Good area for hiking
- Beautiful views
- Good area for solo travelers
- Charming hotels
- Connected to La Spezia by train and ferry
Cinque Terre, which translates as “Five Lands,” refers to a stretch of coastline comprising five small fishing villages on the Ligurian Riviera. Located west of La Spezia, it is one of the most visited destinations in Italy and the main reason many travelers come to the city.
The area forms part of the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, a protected section of the Ligurian coast recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its colorful houses built into steep cliffs, terraced vineyards, and narrow paths overlooking the sea.
While each village has its own attractions, the most photographed and visited is Manarola, known for its stacked pastel houses above a small harbor. Home to the 14th‑century Church of San Lorenzo, it also offers iconic views from viewpoints such as the Manarola Belvedere and the Via dell’Amore trail, which connects it with Riomaggiore.
Beyond Manarola, two other highlights of the Cinque Terre are Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Vernazza stands out for its waterfront square framed by arcades and the medieval Doria tower rising above it. Meanwhile, Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages and the easiest to explore. It is home to Spiaggia di Fegina, one of the few sandy beaches in the Cinque Terre, and its long promenade is lined with cafés and shops.
In addition, Riomaggiore is known for its hiking routes, including the famous Sentiero Azzurro and the Via dell’Amore, and Corniglia is a favorite for romantic getaways. Its location, 100 meters above sea level on a rocky ridge and quiet terraces, also makes it an ideal place to rest and enjoy the views.
Regardless of where you stay, all five villages are linked by a regional train line from La Spezia to Levanto, with frequent stops in each town. Trains are the easiest and fastest way to move between them. In good weather, ferries also connect most of the villages. Driving is discouraged, as cars cannot enter most historic village centers. In addition, the narrow, winding roads make driving inside the park difficult.
Accommodation in Cinque Terre consists mostly of small hotels, guesthouses, and rented apartments carved into hillside houses. Prices are higher than in La Spezia, especially during summer, but the views and atmosphere make it worth it.
Read more about the best villages and towns to stay in Cinque Terre.
Best Hotels in Cinque Terre
Hotel Porto Roca
Hotel Porto Roca offers a panoramic cliff-top location with stunning sea views, a 5-minute walk from Monterosso centre. The Cinque Terre’s famous Blue Trail starts here.
Hotel Villa Adriana
Just 100 yards from Fegina Beach, Hotel Villa Adriana is set among palm trees. It offers a Ligurian restaurant, a pool, and classically furnished rooms with LCD TVs.
Albergo Barbara
Albergo Barbara offers accommodation in Vernazza town center, a few steps from the sea. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Locanda A Cà Du Gigante
This accommodation faces the Ligurian Sea and is set in the center of the Cinque Terre area. The property features air-conditioned rooms and studios and is also within walking distance of the beach.
3. Eastern La Spezia
The cheapest area to stay near Cinque Terre
Eastern La Spezia is an excellent location with direct connections to Cinque Terre.
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Why is this the best area to stay in La Spezia:
- Cheap accommodation
- Le Terrazze Shopping Center
- Quiet area
- La Spezia Migliarina train station
La Spezia’s eastern end includes neighborhoods such as Migliarina, Canaletto, and Mazzetta. This part of the city offers a quieter base with straightforward access to Cinque Terre by rail and road.
This section of the city stretches from the industrial port toward the lower hills that frame the eastern edge of La Spezia. Most of its streets follow two main routes: Viale Italia, which leads inland from the center toward the east, and Viale San Bartolomeo, which runs parallel to the docks.
Some of the notable landmarks here include Le Terrazze, a large shopping center with 100 stores, restaurants, and a cinema; Parco XXV Aprile, one of the city’s main parks; and the Palazzo dello Sport Gianfranco Mariotti, an indoor arena used for sports events and concerts.
Transport connections are practical for regional travel. The Migliarina railway station sits on the main Pisa–Genoa line with regional services to the Cinque Terre villages. Buses also run along Viale Italia and San Bartolomeo, linking the eastern districts with the city center and the ferry terminal.
While accommodation is somewhat limited, eastern La Spezia has some family-run hotels and apartment rentals. Importantly, properties in this area tend to be cheaper than in Cinque Terre.
Best Hotels in Eastern La Spezia
Hotel Ghironi
Hotel Ghironi is in La Spezia, a 5-minute drive from the A15 motorway. It offers spacious rooms, free WiFi, and on-site parking. Ghironi’s air-conditioned rooms also feature a mini-bar, satellite TV, and a balcony.
Foscolo 20
Located in La Spezia, Foscolo 20 offers accommodation with free WiFi and a flat-screen TV. Guests also have access to a balcony.
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