Things to Do in La Spezia: What to See in One Day and Nearby

Things to do in La Spezia if you only have one day? The city deserves much more than being treated as a simple gateway to the Cinque Terre: between the historic centre, museums, San Giorgio Castle, the waterfront and the Gulf of Poets, you can enjoy a varied itinerary without needing a car.

Hello, I’m Giulia from Agriturismo I Due Ghiri. La Spezia is one of the places we often recommend during a stay with us: it is easy to explore on foot, combines culture and sea, and is also a useful starting point for discovering the Gulf of Poets, Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.

In this guide you’ll find our suggested itinerary for what to see in La Spezia in one day, practical tips for planning your visit, and ideas for exploring the surrounding area.

Things to do in La Spezia in one day: our suggested itinerary

If it is your first time in the city, there is no need to try to see everything. Central La Spezia is relatively compact and many of its main sights can easily be connected on foot.

A complete itinerary can start around the railway station and Piazza Garibaldi, continue along Via del Prione, climb towards San Giorgio Castle and finish between the Public Gardens, Morin Promenade and the waterfront.

1. Piazza Garibaldi and Via del Prione

From La Spezia Centrale railway station you can quickly reach Piazza Garibaldi, recognisable by its Fontana del Dialogo. From here, walk into the heart of the city along Via del Prione, one of the best-known pedestrian streets in central La Spezia.

Via del Prione crosses the historic centre between shops, cafés, historic buildings and museums, making it a useful route for exploring the city without having to follow a rigid itinerary. It is also worth turning into the side streets and looking at La Spezia’s architecture, which is quite different from the small seaside villages along the coast.

2. Amedeo Lia Museum and the Seal Museum

If you would like to add a cultural stop, you will find some of the city’s most interesting museums along or close to Via del Prione.

The Amedeo Lia Civic Museum houses a collection of more than a thousand works spanning several centuries of art history. Nearby, the Seal Museum offers a much more unusual collection dedicated to the history of seals.

If you are visiting La Spezia for just one day, our advice is to choose one or two museums according to your interests and leave enough time to enjoy the streets and the waterfront.

3. San Giorgio Castle: La Spezia from above

From the centre it is worth heading up to San Giorgio Castle, one of the best places to understand the history of La Spezia and see the city from a different perspective.

The castle stands on Poggio hill, where one of the earliest settlements developed, and today houses the collections of the “Ubaldo Formentini” Archaeological Museum, with finds that tell the story of the area from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

You can reach the castle using the city stairways or the public lift system. Even if you do not have much time, the area is worth the detour, especially for the views over the city and the gulf.

4. Back down to the centre and the Public Gardens

After visiting the castle, head back towards the lower part of the city and continue in the direction of the Public Gardens. This is the natural transition between the historic centre and the sea, and the atmosphere changes completely within just a few minutes.

It is also a good area to stop for lunch or take a short break before continuing towards Morin Promenade.

5. Morin Promenade and the Gulf of Poets

One of the best things to do in La Spezia is simply to walk by the sea. Costantino Morin Promenade, lined with palms and overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia, is one of my favourite parts of the city.

It is an easy pedestrian walk where you can look out over boats, the harbour and the hills surrounding the Gulf of Poets. On clear days, the Apuan Alps are visible in the distance.

During the operating season, boats also leave from the Morin Promenade area for several destinations around the gulf and along the Ligurian coast, including Portovenere, Lerici, Palmaria Island and the Cinque Terre. If you want to use La Spezia as a departure point for a boat excursion, always check current timetables and service conditions before travelling.

6. Thaon di Revel Bridge and Porto Mirabello

Continue along the waterfront to reach the Thaon di Revel Bridge. If you have not had lunch or dinner yet, we also recommend Mitili al Mare restaurant. The pedestrian bridge connects Morin Promenade with Porto Mirabello.

It is an easy stop to add to the itinerary and gives you another perspective on the harbour and the city skyline. Around sunset, the area is particularly pleasant for a walk.

What to see in La Spezia if you have more time

If you are staying in the city for more than a day, or the weather is not suitable for coastal excursions, La Spezia has several other places worth visiting.

Naval Technical Museum

The Naval Technical Museum explores La Spezia’s deep connection with the Italian Navy. Its collections include ship models, historic objects, figureheads and material relating to navigation, exploration and the history of the Naval Arsenal.

It is particularly worthwhile if you want to understand why modern La Spezia is so closely linked to its military harbour.

CAMeC and other city museums

If you prefer modern and contemporary art, you can consider the CAMeC. La Spezia’s museum network also includes the Ethnographic Museum and other collections. We always recommend checking current opening days, temporary exhibitions and timetables before your visit.

Parco delle Mura

For those who would rather walk outdoors, the Parco delle Mura is an alternative to the city centre: a green route that follows part of the old defensive walls and connects the city with the surrounding hills. It is a different way to experience La Spezia, especially if you enjoy walking and panoramic viewpoints.

Where to eat and what to try in La Spezia

A visit to La Spezia also means discovering its food. This is where the flavours of the Ligurian hinterland meet the traditions of the sea.

Local specialities to look for include farinata, muscoli ripieni (stuffed mussels), anchovies, fish dishes and testaroli. It is also worth exploring bakeries, delicatessens and traditional places in the centre rather than limiting yourself to the most tourist-oriented areas.

If you stay with us, you can continue your journey through Ligurian flavours in the evening: at our Cooking for Friends dinners we prepare seasonal dishes connected to the local area, also using produce from our vegetable garden and organic farm.

We also recommend visiting the Mitili&Mitili shop in La Spezia to taste oysters, mussels and local specialities.

Does La Spezia have a beach?

This is a common question, especially from first-time visitors. La Spezia is a seaside city, but it is not a classic beach resort with one long urban beach.

For a proper beach day, head towards the Gulf of Poets, with Lerici, San Terenzo, Fiascherino and Tellaro, or towards Portovenere, Palmaria Island and the Cinque Terre.

That is one of La Spezia’s advantages: in the same trip you can combine city life, small villages, the sea and the Ligurian countryside.

What to see near La Spezia

The city is a useful starting point for several itineraries in eastern Liguria. If you have more than one day, these are some of the areas worth combining with La Spezia.

Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are easy to reach from the La Spezia area. To plan your stay, see our dedicated guide to the Cinque Terre.

Portovenere and Palmaria Island

Portovenere is one of the best excursions to combine with La Spezia. The village, the Church of San Pietro, Doria Castle and nearby Palmaria deserve at least half a day and can also be reached by sea when boat services are operating.

Lerici, San Terenzo and Tellaro

On the other side of the gulf you will find Lerici, San Terenzo, Fiascherino and Tellaro. They are ideal if you want to combine seaside villages, walking and time on the coast. We have collected more ideas in our guide to the Gulf of Poets.

For more ideas, you can also explore our guide to the surrounding area.

How to get to La Spezia from Agriturismo I Due Ghiri

The Agriturismo I Due Ghiri is located in Calice al Cornoviglio, in the hamlet of Usurana, surrounded by the green hills of Val di Vara. From here, La Spezia can generally be reached by car in around half an hour, although the exact journey time depends on your route, traffic and the time of year.

Our location means you can explore the city during the day and return in the evening to a completely different setting among woods and hills. We especially recommend this combination to guests who do not want to spend their entire holiday in the busiest coastal areas.

If you are planning several days in the region, take a look at our accommodation in Val di Vara and use the agriturismo as a base for combining La Spezia, the Cinque Terre, the Gulf of Poets and the inland valleys.

Where to park in La Spezia

If you arrive by car, La Spezia has both park-and-ride areas and covered car parks closer to the centre.

Options indicated by the city tourism portal include the Palazzetto dello Sport and Piazza d’Armi park-and-ride areas, as well as covered parking at La Spezia Centrale station, Europa Park and Park Kennedy.

Prices, availability and access arrangements can change, so check current information before travelling, particularly during events, public holidays and the high season.

Is La Spezia worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you see it as part of the journey rather than simply the station you pass through on your way to the Cinque Terre. In half a day you can explore the centre and waterfront; with a full day, you can add San Giorgio Castle and one of the city museums.

La Spezia is different from the small villages along the coast: it is a real seaside city with a strong port identity, museums, markets, pedestrian streets and a central position within the Gulf of Poets.

That contrast is exactly what we like: during the day you can walk between city streets and the sea, and in the evening return to the quiet of Val di Vara.

Our tip from I Due Ghiri

If you only have one day, do not try to pack in too many stops. We would choose Via del Prione, San Giorgio Castle, a break in the centre and Morin Promenade. If you are staying longer, use La Spezia as a connection point for the Gulf of Poets, Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.

After a day on the coast you can return to Agriturismo I Due Ghiri, have dinner in the quiet countryside and set off on a different itinerary the following morning. It is one of the things we love most about our location: the sea and the hinterland can be part of the same trip.

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Frequently asked questions about things to do in La Spezia