La Spezia is a province in eastern Liguria known for its dramatic coastal landscapes, ancient fishing traditions, and proximity to UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre. It is one of Italy's most important naval and commercial ports.
Browse La Spezia campsites Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy Photo by Bjorn Snelders on UnsplashLa Spezia became a major naval hub in the 19th century under Italian unification, with the construction of the Arsenale Militare Marittimo (military naval yard) in 1861. The province has ancient roots dating to Roman times when it served as an important trading port for the Ligurian coast.
The classic way to link the five villages of Cinque Terre, running mostly through tunnels carved into the cliffs with occasional glimpses of the sea. Trains run frequently and are far easier than driving on the narrow coastal roads.
A less-touristy scenic route heading inland through the Val di Vara and Lunigiana into the Apennines, with viaducts, tunnels and views over wooded mountain valleys quite different from the coast.
Hugs the Ligurian coast between Genoa and La Spezia, passing through the Tigullio and offering sea views before joining the Cinque Terre line further south.
The famous coastal path linking the Cinque Terre villages. Sections such as the Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore–Manarola) are sometimes closed for landslide repairs, so check current openings before setting out.
A high-level ridge route running above the Cinque Terre villages with panoramic views over the coast and vineyards; quieter and tougher than the Blue Trail below.
A scenic ridge and coastal walk connecting Portovenere with the southern end of Cinque Terre, passing through terraced vineyards and the Muzzerone headland.
A network of steep paths climbing from each village to its hilltop sanctuary (e.g. Madonna di Soviore above Monterosso), rewarding the climb with sweeping gulf views.
A flat, family-friendly cycle path following the Magra river valley between Aulla area and the coast near Bocca di Magra, well away from the steep Cinque Terre terrain.
Gentle valley roads and tracks through Liguria's 'organic valley', good for road or gravel cycling through vineyards, hazelnut groves and small hilltop villages inland from the Cinque Terre coast.
A pastel-coloured fishing town on a rocky promontory, with the cliff-edge Church of San Pietro, Byron's Grotto, and boat access to Palmaria Island.
The southernmost Cinque Terre village, with steep lanes tumbling down to a tiny harbour and coloured houses stacked above the water.
Often called the prettiest of the five villages, with a natural harbour, castle tower, and a lively piazza right on the water.
Famous for its cliffside houses and the vineyard terraces above the village, especially striking at sunset.
Lerici is an elegant resort town with a medieval castle overlooking the Golfo dei Poeti; nearby Tellaro is a tiny fishing hamlet of stacked stone houses on the rocks.
Hike between the five villages along the coastal and hillside paths, mixing sea views with terraced vineyards.
Take a ferry or boat trip from La Spezia or Lerici around the gulf, past Portovenere, Palmaria Island and the Cinque Terre coastline.
Small beaches and rocky swimming spots at Monterosso, Vernazza and Guvano offer a break from the trails, though they get busy in summer.
Visit vineyard terraces around the Cinque Terre to try this sweet passito wine made from grapes dried on the steep coastal slopes.
Climb to the Church of San Pietro on the point and see Byron's Grotto, said to have inspired the poet's swim across the gulf to Lerici.
La Spezia's cuisine is classic Ligurian with its own coastal twists: expect pesto alla genovese with trofie or trenette, focaccia, and farinata (chickpea flatbread) alongside plenty of seafood. Local specialities include mussels from the gulf (muscoli, often stuffed - muscoli ripieni), anchovies from Monterosso, and testaroli, a simple griddle-baked pasta typical of the Lunigiana area just inland. The Cinque Terre hillsides produce a distinctive dry white wine and the sweet Sciacchetrà passito, both worth seeking out with a plate of fresh anchovies or seafood risotto.
A UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape covering the terraced vineyards, cliffside villages and coastline of Cinque Terre and Portovenere, plus the offshore islands, recognised for centuries of harmonious human interaction with a dramatic coastal landscape.
Italy's smallest national park, protecting the coastline, terraced vineyards and hillside villages of Cinque Terre; it also includes the adjoining Marine Protected Area along the coast.
A regional park along the Magra and Vara river valleys and the Montemarcello promontory near Lerici, covering woodland, farmland and river habitats away from the busier coast.
A historic rowing regatta held in early August in the Gulf of La Spezia, with crews from towns around the gulf competing in traditional boats.
Portovenere's patronal festival on 17 August, featuring a torch-lit procession and fireworks display over the gulf.
