Travel Dates: December 2024
What to do outside of La Spezia
Cinque Terre – I don’t believe there is much to do in La Spezia. Most visitors stay in La Spezia as a gateway to Cinque Terre, which is what we did. Check out our blog post on Cinque Terre for more details.
Porto Venere – This fishing village is a hidden gem, just 30 minutes from La Spezia. Visit these different picturesque views in Porto Venere:
- Grotta di Lord Byron – A scenic cove where many people take a dip in the warmer months.
- Promontorio dell’Arpaia – At the tip of the village, there is a church where you can climb to the roof for scenic views. There is also a beautiful arched vista here.
- Doria Castle – We walked up the hill through parts of the town to Doria Castle for more stunning views of the coast, and the church in the distance. There is an entry fee to go inside the castle so we opted out.
- Punto Panoramico on Sentiero 1 – On Google Maps, this spot is marked as a panoramic viewpoint along a hiking trail. The trail begins to the left of Piazza Giacomo Bastreri. It took us about 7 minutes to reach the viewpoint, but be prepared—it’s quite rocky and steep, so wearing proper footwear is essential. I’d say the view here is just as stunning as Doria Castle’s, though from this viewpoint, you get a direct view of the castle right in front of you. That said, if you’re not up for a short hike, walking directly to Doria Castle is a great alternative.
If you’re visiting Porto Venere, there’s paid parking along the harbor on Via Olivo. Be sure to bring some coins with you, as our credit card didn’t work at the parking meter. You can also pay via an app—just check the details on the meter for instructions.
Where to eat in La Spezia
Antica Osteria dei Camalli – Hands-down the best traditional Ligurian food that you must have if you are in La Spezia. We ordered the tagliatelle ciuppin (pasta in tomato sauce and fish broth, with mussels), cappon magro (what they call a seafood & vegetable salad), and sacripantina (layered cake) and all were exquisite. There are a few things to keep in mind: 1) people from the street would come in to sell roses to patrons, 2) service was a bit slow here, and even the patrons liked to keep a leisurely pace, and 3) they have a small cover charge. If you do dine here, we recommend making a reservation.
Osteria della Corte – Another delicious restaurant, we ordered the mixed seafood pasta, roasted pork with potato, homemade pineapple sorbet, and pistachio semifreddo. Would definitely recommend the first three. It’s best to make a reservation, and it was interesting to note they did not charge us a cover fee.
Dai Pescatori – This popular seafood spot by the pier offers a limited menu based on the day’s catch, which changes daily. We arrived just 30 minutes after dinner service started, and there was already a line out the door, so we ended up waiting about 20 minutes. By the time we ordered, their main pasta dish sold out, so it’s best to arrive right when they open. If it’s available, I highly recommend the vegetable pie with fish—it’s a real standout. Just a heads-up, the seating area is inside a tent, so it can get pretty chilly during the winter months.
Piccolo Faro – An inexpensive outdoor cafe by the harbor, conveniently located just across the street from our hotel. It made for a perfect breakfast spot, offering both great value and lovely views.
Bar Pasticceria Ilaria – Another breakfast spot near our hotel; they had tasty bomboloni (cream filled donuts).
Where to stay in La Spezia
NH La Spezia – This modern and comfortable hotel is in a great location in La Spezia. They don’t offer parking on-site, but they partner with a nearby parking garage for €12 per day. We opted for street parking instead and were always able to find a spot around the hotel. Depending on how long you need to park, it can be cheaper—€1.50 per hour, with payment required only from 8am to 8pm. You can also pre-pay at the meter for the next day if you’re leaving after 8am. Just be sure to leave the parking ticket on your dashboard and only park in spots with blue lines (yellow lines are for residents).
Globe Trotter 