What to See in La Spezia

Just a few kilometers from the border with Tuscany, La Spezia is an essential stop on your journey to discover the Liguria. The city is located at the heart of one of the most beautiful stretches of the Ligurian coast, the Gulf of Poets that enchanted artists and poets.

The entire province of La Spezia, nestled between the sea and the mountains, is characterized by dreamy beaches, cliffs, villages, and natural wonders. La Spezia is also the gateway to one of Italy's marvels, the Cinque Terre. But what is there to see in the city? We have created a useful guide to the attractions of La Spezia and its surroundings.

From above, La Spezia looks like a strip of land stretching between land and sea, with colorful houses stacked upon one another, seemingly touching the sky. La Spezia is the perfect city to visit over a weekend; two days are enough to explore the city and its surroundings. The first place that you must absolutely visit is the Castello di San Giorgio, which is located at the top of Colle del Poggio and overlooks the town. The castle can be reached by taking Via XXVII Marzo, which passes through the old defensive walls of the town.

Take a walk through the historic center with your eyes up; you will be captivated by the beauty of some historic buildings, many of which are in the Art Nouveau style. Get lost in the winding streets in the heart of the city, a maze of alleys known as carrug: the heart of the historic center is Via del Prione, which overlooks important buildings like Teatro Civico and Museo Lia.

Continuing straight down the road, you will find a large square that houses the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, inextricably linked to the history of La Spezia.

The church, characterized by a black and white facade, has been destroyed several times throughout history, but despite this, it still preserves evidence of its flourishing past, such as works from the Genoese school and from Sarzana.

Head to Piazza del Mercato, home to the city's largest market and characterized by buildings with undulating roofs. Don't miss one of the most beautiful promenades in the city along the waterfront: the Morin promenade. The Thaon de Revel Bridge connects the Morin promenade to the Porto Mirabello through a structure over one hundred and fifty meters long. Near the port, don't miss a visit to the Arsenal of the Military Navy.

Despite being a small city, there are numerous museums to visit, first among them the Museo Civico Archeologico Formentini, which holds important traces of the history of La Spezia and is located inside Castello di San Giorgio.

Be sure to visit the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia, which is located in what was once a hospital. The museum houses works by Canaletto, Titian, and Tintoretto. Not far from there, be sure to visit the Naval Museum of the city that conserves more than 150 models of ships and boats along with 2000 documents.

From the area around Spezia, you can travel numerous itineraries and paths that will lead you to discover secret coves and enchanted woods.

Calm and not overcrowded, La Spezia is perfect for little ones. An intricate maze of streets to discover and many museums to visit. Make sure to take a stroll in its green lung by visiting the city's public gardens.

You must not miss a visit to the Technical Naval Museum and the Transport Museum. If you are looking for a playground, don't miss the La Maggiolina play park with green spaces, rides, and picnic areas.

Nestled in the hilly inland or perched by the sea, the villages of the Spezia area are wonderful and all waiting to be discovered. Among those to visit, we recommend the following:

In the surroundings of La Spezia, you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the Cinque Terre. The city itself does not have beaches but moving slightly away, there are wonders you absolutely must reach to enjoy the seaside in La Spezia.

A seaside path that will lead you to discover a very fascinating stretch of the Ligurian coast. The poets' path crosses two parts of the Gulf of Poets characterized by sanctuaries, colorful villages, and a turbulent sea that offers those who cross it unforgettable views.

The itinerary from Porto Venere stretches up to Bocca di Magra and passes through villages, terraced vineyards, and panoramic views.

Below you will find the map with the best attractions in La Spezia.

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