History and main attractions of the Italian city of La Spezia. History of La Spezia. How to get to La Spezia

La Spezia, spread out on the shores of the bay of the same name, is the most eastern city Ligurian Riviera. The most picturesque bay is often called the Bay of Poets in memory of the great English romantic poets Byron and Shelley, who lived on its coast in the 20s of the 19th century. IN different time George Sand, David Herbert Lawrence, Alighieri Dante and other creative personalities were also guests of La Spezia.

The port city, due to its favorable location, has always had both military-strategic and commercial importance. During its existence, La Spezia had to endure many devastating raids, it passed from hand to hand several times, even managed to be in the power of Napoleon, until it became part of Italy in 1861.

The picturesque bay of La Spezia is often called the Bay of Poets.

The name of the city changed several times - the article "La" either appeared or disappeared again, and only in 1926 the city council finally fixed official name- La Spezia.

From the middle of the 19th century, the city began to actively develop as a resort, which was chosen as a vacation spot by both mere mortals and members of royal families. The historical and architectural sights of La Spezia were restored and restored, museums were opened, hotels, bars, restaurants, entertainment facilities were built to attract tourists.

Climate

The climate in La Spezia, as in other resorts of the Ligurian Riviera, is typically Mediterranean - mild, damp winters and warm, but not too hot summers. The coast is protected from cold winds by the Ligurian Mountains, so in winter the temperature here does not fall below 0C, and in summer it does not rise above + 37C.

The most comfortable weather in La Spezia is from May to mid-October

From mid-March to mid-May, the rainy season lasts here - not too attractive time when most of the time it is damp and overcast, and the sun appears no more than once every five days. The period from mid-May to mid-October is considered the most comfortable for relaxation, when the weather in La Spezia favors long walks and sea bathing.

How to get to La Spezia

The nearest airport to La Spezia serving international and domestic flights located in Genoa. Choose the most convenient and a budget option flights can be done using the Aviasales.ru service - a powerful search engine with a simple interface.

The hundred kilometers separating Genoa (Genova) and La Spezia (La Spezia) are easy to overcome by train - they go along this route two to three times an hour. Travel time, depending on the type of train, ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The railway connects La Spezia with other cities that have airports - Milan, Rome, Pisa, Turin. Train tickets can be bought directly at the station or ordered in advance on the website.

Train station, La Spezia

If finances allow, you can take a taxi. To avoid unpleasant surprises associated with the behavior of local taxi drivers, it is better to book a car in advance via the Internet. Calculate the cost of services from any of the airports in the vicinity.

You can also get to La Spezia by rented car. To avoid overpayments at, it makes sense to book it in advance and through a specialized price comparison service. One of the most popular with European tourists– Rentalcars is the brainchild of a team that once had a hand in creating the well-known hotel portal Booking.com.

By the way, in summer time between the ports of Genoa and La Spezia there is also sea communication.

Hotels

Although La Spezia is very popular among travelers, it will not surprise you with an abundance of luxury hotels. Basically, the city offers offers of the middle price category from the category of 2 and 3 stars.

Hotels in La Spezia of the average price category from the category of 2 and 3 stars

However, in the vicinity - closer to the most famous beaches- the range of housing is already much more diverse. In addition to family-type hotels, there are also very worthy "fours" and "fives".

The best selection of hotels in La Spezia and the surrounding area with photos, guest reviews and the possibility of instant booking is presented at the link.

What to see in the city and surroundings

The main attraction of La Spezia - Fortress of Saint George standing on top of the Colle del Poggio hill. The castle, whose powerful walls protected the city for a long time, was built in the middle of the 13th century. Since the Middle Ages, it has been rebuilt and restored many times, a new tier with battlements and loopholes was completed, the fortress towers were updated.

You can enter the territory of the castle through one of two entrances - western or northern. The western gate is decorated with the coat of arms of Genoa, the northern gate is decorated with the image of St. George, after whom the fortification is named.

Today, the Archaeological Museum is located in the fortress of St. George. Its collection contains many relics and artifacts that tell about the history and cultural traditions Liguria. Most interesting exhibits were found at the excavations of Luni - ancient city located on the border of Liguria and Tuscany.

The main attraction of La Spezia is the fortress of St. George

Talking about the architectural sights of La Spezia, one cannot fail to mention the Catholic Cathedral Cristo re dei secoli. The Art Nouveau building, located in the city center, does not at all look like a traditional Catholic church; rather - on some space object.

Only a thin cross on the facade reminds of its religious purpose. The cathedral was built in 1975 under the guidance of the author of the project, the architect Adalberto Liber. Not far from Cristo-re is the chapel of the Madonna Peligrina, considered the crypt of the cathedral.

No less interesting is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, famous for its interior decoration. The interiors of this temple are decorated with rare works of art: relief panels by Guillermo Carro, Casoni tapestry, works by Luca della Robia, Angiolo del Santo and Luca Cambiaso.

The Maritime Museum of La Spezia enjoys special attention of tourists of all ages. Here you can see wooden figures that once adorned the bows of ships, copies of Roman and Venetian ships, guns of different times - from ancient mortars to cannons of the Second World War, as well as torpedoes, gyroscopes, naval first-aid kits, anchors, lanterns and other ship equipment.

Wooden figures once decorated the prows of ships

The Amadeo Lia Art Museum, located on the pedestrian Via Prione, is the richest collection of works of art from different eras. The 14 halls of the museum contain panel paintings of the 13th-15th centuries, ancient manuscripts, church art, porcelain, glass, ivory, silver, as well as excellent works by famous Renaissance artists - Tintoretto and Titian.

In small museums of local importance - Ethnographic and Episcopal, exhibits are collected that testify to the life and customs of the inhabitants of the region. Both museums are located in the building of the San Bernardino Oratory in the old part of the city.

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists and travelers. More than 53 million people visit the country every year, Italy ranks fifth in the ranking of tourist destinations. The country has many beautiful cities where you can have a great time and see Italian flavor. Among the interesting places in the country is the city of La Spezia.

City information

Spezia, spelled in English as La Spezia, Italy, is a city on the coast of the Ligurian Sea in northwestern Italy. Included in the region called Liguria and is the center of the province of the same name. The city is the eastern tip of the so-called Italian Riviera.

Among the nearest major cities you can highlight Genoa and Pisa - major tourist centers, which have a lot to see. La Spezia, Italy is a major maritime harbor where commercial and military traffic is very well developed, the city is major center military industry in the country. The population is 96 thousand people, the area of the city is 51 square kilometers.

During the period of the Roman Empire, on the site of the present locality was a sparsely populated area. The spice often changed hands among various influential clans and families during the Middle Ages. During the conquest of the settlement by Napoleon, it was included in the Republic of Genoa, which later became part of France.

La Spezia, Italy, panorama of the beach coast

In 1861, the construction of the sea harbor began, during this period shipyards, factories and enterprises related to maritime affairs began to appear. The city received serious development, population growth, a railway branch was laid. During World War II, the city suffered massively from bombings aimed at destroying military installations and shipyards. The central and ancient part of the city was badly damaged, which was subsequently rebuilt and restored.

Weather and climate

The climate of Spice is subtropical humid. Almost all year round, high air humidity prevails, which in the average annual value reaches 75 percent. Summers are most often hot, winters are rather mild, precipitation falls mainly in the autumn-winter period. Most often, precipitation occurs in the form of rain or hail, snow is rare, if it falls, it quickly melts.

Average temperature and rainfall by months:

January - 8.9 °C, 100.7 mm - precipitation;
February - 9.7 °C, 72.8 mm;
March - 11.5°C, 84.9 mm;
April - 13.5°C, 88.2 mm;
May - 17.4°C, 72.7 mm;
June - 20.8°C, 52.3 mm;
July - 25.9°C, 33.4mm;
August - 24.6°C, 27.8mm;
September - 21.1°C, 136.4 mm;
October - 16.9°C, 170.3 mm;
November - 12.2°C, 106.3 mm;
December - 9.1 °C, 95.6 mm.

Infrastructure

The Ligurian region has in its arsenal such large and touristy attractive cities as Pisa and Genoa, which makes it one of the most visited in the country. This, in turn, has a good effect on the infrastructure of the region, which is well developed. There are many hotels, entertainment for tourists. Transport infrastructure It is represented by a variety of modes of transport and excellent roads, on which it is a great pleasure to travel on your own. The city does not have its own airport, so arriving tourists use the services of the neighboring airports of Pisa and Genoa. Common modes of transport include the following:

Transfer. One of the most convenient ways get from the airport to La Spezia. You can order a transfer in advance, or apply for a service in the arrivals hall. You will need to select a type vehicle and indicate the place where you need to go;
Bus. An extensive bus network in the region and country makes it easy and convenient to get around all of Italy;
Railway. spice has Train Station downtown. From it there are lines to Pisa, Parma and Genoa, from which you can then go to any interesting place;
Taxi. In order to get from the airport or to move around the city, there is nothing better than a taxi;

Note! To take a taxi at airports, you need to go to a special window. To catch a taxi in the city, it is better to order it by phone.

Rent a Car. most convenient and comfortable way moving around the surroundings, allows you to visit any attraction and not depend on transport and guides;
Ferry. Developed ferry service with the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, can be reached in tourist facility- Cinque Terre.

Attractions

La Spezia is a city that is one solid attraction that is definitely worth a visit. Medieval old center, which is made in a mixture of styles, due to the fact that the city was owned by various influential families, each of which brought something of its own. The heritage of these periods is very clearly manifested in the architecture of the settlement. Due to its small size, the city can be easily explored on foot, visiting the main sights and studying their description. Among the most popular monuments and attractions are the following:

Castle of Saint George. Built in the 13th century and rebuilt several times, it is the main attraction of the city. It is visited by many tourists, and locals like to spend their time here. The castle is located on a hill called Poggio and is a fortification with a ring of walls for protection. local population from attacks. In 1607, the last rebuilding took place and since then the castle has acquired its final shape. It has two entrances from the northern and western sides with a gate and a beautiful image of St. George piercing the dragon. He is the patron of the castle and an important character in the history of La Spezia. From 1985 to 1998, a major restoration of the structure was carried out, in connection with which it acquired a true medieval form. Inside the castle is the Central City Museum and very beautiful park, broken near the watchtower, which offers an excellent view of the city and its surroundings. An ideal place for walking and studying the history of the country, culture and life of the local population at different times;

Castle of Saint George in La Spezia

Marine arsenal. It is a very important building for the history of the city and local residents. For the first time, the idea to create such an arsenal in this place came to Napoleon, but he was never able to bring it to life. The arsenal was built in 1869 at the direction of Count Cavour, who at that time served as the Minister of the Navy of the country. Unfortunately, the building was almost completely bombed out during World War II. Subsequently, it was completely restored in compliance with all architectural norms and proportions of that time. On this moment the arsenal is the country's largest repair, construction and maritime training center in the country. Engaged in the repair and modernization of the ships of the Italian fleet;
City Museum in the castle of St. George. Created in 1873, is central museum cities. The exposition was based on a private collection, which over time was replenished with new exhibits. The museum shows the development of the region since ancient times, there are various artifacts found during excavations and donated by the inhabitants. Here you can find Neolithic axes made for grinding, there are several gold plates that were found among the parts of the old cathedral of the Middle Ages. The age of the finds dates back to the 5th-7th centuries;
Center for Contemporary Art. Suitable for lovers of modern conceptual art. Here are the works of famous authors of our time.

Recreation and entertainment

Spezia does not have beaches equipped for swimming. To do this, you need to go to neighboring places such as La Grazie, Lerici and many others that are located nearby and are beach resorts. You can go to the well-known villages of the Cinque Terre region and admire the sights and architecture of this famous region there. For this, a special ferry goes there. The city has several popular cafes and restaurants where it is recommended to try seafood and delicious desserts for which the province is famous. There are several shops for shopping lovers, but the city is not very popular in this direction. Recommended for shopping market square, there you can find a lot of interesting things.

Market Square in La Spezia

Location on the map

On the map, the city is located in the northwestern part of Italy, in the region of Liguria and on the coast of the Ligurian Sea.

La Spezia on the map of Italy

Here are some interesting facts about the city:

The patron saint of the city is Saint Venerius, a hermit monk who lived in the 6th-7th centuries;
La Spezia is a major military-industrial center with many shipyards for the repair and modernization of the Italian Navy fleet.

La Spezia is attractive tourist city which is definitely recommended to visit. Developed infrastructure makes it easy to reach from anywhere in the country.

Where the urban landscape gives off a little medieval gloominess and dampness and here is La Spezia. small town on the coast of the Ligurian Sea speaking name.

How to get to La Spezia

The most popular and, in my opinion, convenient transport in Italy is railways. We traveled from Florence by train with a transfer. It's a little cheaper by bus.

History of La Spezia

The city is still often called La Spezia in the French manner, which is not surprising, since Napoleon Bonaparte, who captured Liguria in 1797, gave life to this place as a city. Before that, this place was essentially a village. The emperor was struck by the beauty of these places and the bay, which he called one of the most beautiful in the world. From a military point of view, the bay was also an ideal place. The rapid development of the city began already in the 19th century, when shipyards and factories were built.

Attractions La Spezia

The city is really bright, multi-colored like a set of spices: from saffron to pravan herbs, literally immersed in the greenery of palm trees and orange trees. Spezia is very different from the Tuscan cities.

Maybe because, although the city is located near the border with Tuscany, it belongs to another region - Liguria and is traditionally considered the eastern tip of the Riviera. The city does not hide at all its belonging to the famous resort of millionaires. Rich villas and houses, parks, beautiful embankment and yachts - all this clearly indicates the status of an aristocratic city. And at the same time, all this does not create a feeling of excess and pathos. The villas are luxurious but in moderation, the yachts are beautiful but not bulky, the people are rich but not arrogant. Five-meter fences, barbed wire and gloomy guards are not here. In general, in its appearance, the city reminded me of Barcelona, but in a smaller form. Just the creations of Gaudí are not enough. Undoubtedly, the city looks different in summer. Crowds of vacationers will surely occupy the embankment and adjacent parks. But in November, the city is empty, peace, silence and appeasement reign. Perhaps it is at this place that it is worth confessing ... In general, we did not plan to study La Spezia at all and were heading to the Cinque Terre. This is a natural reserve, which includes 4 villages.

Based on the reviews of experienced tourists and photographs, I concluded that this is really very interesting and beautiful place. You can get to the reserve by train. At the La Spezia station there are several small tourist offices where they will be happy to tell you and show you how to get to the Cinque Terre. You can use the services of ordering excursions online and book everything in advance by agreeing with a Russian-speaking guide.

However, we didn't get there. The reason is quite banal - they took a walk, relaxed on the embankment and there was no point in going to the reserve, given the short autumn days.

Therefore, we will leave a visit to the Cinque Terre for the next trip to Italy, which, I hope, will definitely take place. There is probably no point in hiring a guide for Spice itself. This city is interesting, rather, just as a pleasant resort for walking.
Among the sights of the city of La Spezia, all guidebooks, first of all, note the Castle of San Giorgio, which was rebuilt more than once until the beginning of the 17th century.

Ship family

However, I didn’t like La Spezia because of the ancient monument, it attracted me with its naturalness, the lack of places that attract tourists all year round, which Florence and Pisa, for example, “sin” with. It seems that here you can see what real Italy is and how people live in this country.

orange grove on main street city

The landscape of the city, however, does not look like sheer glamour, as it might seem at first glance. Villas and well-maintained houses here contrast with fishing boats and their owners, who, however, give only color to the city.

Once he threw a net into the sea, - A net came with one slime.

What to try in La Spezia

A city with such a telling name should definitely have something unusual and original in its arsenal, especially in the kitchen. After all, it is worth remembering that the city was founded by a Frenchman, and the cuisine of this nation is no less important than for Italians.

I call the cuisine here according to the region - Ligurian. And she really absorbed both traditional Italian cooking principles and French motives. But the most important thing in it is the products used. For Italian traditional cuisine in general, it is traditional that in each region a particular dish depends on the products available in the region and their seasonality. That is, we cook from what grows, swims, flies or runs around my house. So it is with Ligurian cuisine, which is very low in fat, it can even be called vegetarian. For cooking here they use a lot of legumes, dried and salted cod, chestnuts, mushrooms, truffles. Farinata di ceci is one of the most traditional Ligurian dishes.

This is a flatbread cooked in a wood-fired oven. The dough is based on pea flour. Despite the simplicity of the ingredients, this is a very tasty dish. Soup (Panissa) is also made from pea flour. It is also worth trying Ligurian minestrone (minestrone ligure) - a soup of various types of vegetables, mushrooms, beans and Parmesan cheese with the addition of olive oil.

Hello dear readers. We continue to talk about the Ligurian coast of Italy, where there are many beaches for a relaxing holiday, unique natural parks For active rest, vintage beautiful towns with modern entertainment for excursions. Have you ever heard of the Bay of Poets? And what about the largest city of this bay with the delicious name of La Spezia? If not, then we are in a hurry to fix it.

La Spezia is located in the east of Liguria, near Tuscany, on the coast of the bay with interesting name"Gulf of Spice" (Golfo della Spezia) or "Gulf of Poets" (Golfo dei Poeti).

The second name appeared due to the fact that this place was chosen by poets, artists and writers. Byron, J. Sand and other celebrities stayed here.

From La Spezia you can go to Pisa and, very close (almost the beginning) is the most interesting natural national park.

The weather here, like in other resorts Ligurian coast, mediterranean. Summer is not very hot, winter is mild. Mountains protect from cold winds from the coast. There are winter resorts in the mountains.

Story

For the first time the name of the city is mentioned on the pages of documents in 1256.

And the first settlements arose here in the Bronze and Iron Ages.

During the Middle Ages, La Spezia was an important trading center.

From the second half of the 18th century, it began to develop and how tourist centre.

What to see

Now it is an important tourist center. The city is also famous for its numerous sights.

One of them is the Fortress of St. George (Castello di San Giorgio). From here it is worth starting your walk around the city, enjoying great view from the fortress to the bay and the city.

The fortress was erected in 1262 as a shelter for the townspeople. Some of the towers were completed later. Now here is Archaeological Museum and next to a park.

Another museum of the city is the Maritime Museum (Museo Tecnico Navale) or the Museum navy- the largest of the maritime museums in Italy. Here you will see more than 150 models of Italian ships, various awards, relics.
IN Ethnographic Museum(Museo Civico Etnografico) you will learn about the life of people who lived on this earth in the XVIII-XX centuries.
Fans of modern art should definitely look into the Museum of Contemporary Art Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea della Spezia (CAMEC).

It occupies three floors. Most of works refers to expressionism, surrealism and abstractionism.

Another museum - the Lerici Castle Museum is located in a fort on a rocky promontory.

Here you can visit the chapel, the paleontological museum.

Lerici Castle Museum

And under the roof of the museum of the castle of San Giorgio there is an archaeological museum with a collection of ancient relics.
Be sure to check out Villa Marmori.

This Marmory residence was built by 1923. It vividly represents the Ligurian style of architecture. Pay attention to the numerous frescoes, stained-glass windows and stucco.

Villa Marmory

From religious buildings:

Of particular note is the Cathedral of Cristo Re, a temple located on a hill.
He replaced the church of Santa Maria Assunta (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta) is the first cathedral of the city.

Pay attention to the interior of the temple, decorated with majestic columns and marble sculptures.

And inside are the remains of the patron saint of the bay.

The predecessor of this cathedral, the church of Santa Maria Assunta, is famous for the relief images of central entrance and three chapels.
Another sacred building of the city is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Olmo (Santuario della Madonna dell "Olmo).

It is located on Mount Santa Croce. The sanctuary was created for pilgrims.

Inconspicuous on the outside, it houses many treasures, such as a baroque church altar.

Among secular buildings special place occupies Palazzo Crozza, the residence of the Crozza family, built in the 19th century.

This is an elegant palace, which now houses the city archive, as well as reading room Mazzini libraries. Moreover, there is a collection of paintings.

Where you should definitely look again - so it's on fish market, What's on Piazza cavour. It receives customers daily. In addition to fish, vegetables, cheeses, herbs, spices, and flowers are sold here.

Around the square are numerous restaurants, bakeries and pubs. There is a place to take a break from a walk and have a bite to eat.

palaces

On Piazza Verdi (Piazza Verdi) are many famous palaces cities:

Palazzo delle Poste - an example of neo-fascist style
Palazzo degli Studi, hosting the Classical Lyceum
Prefectural Palace
Palazzo della Provincia

Holidays and cuisine

One of the brightest events in La Spezia can be called the Palio del Golfo festival.

This is a boating competition taking place in the Gulf of Poets.

Another local event is the San Giuseppe Fair (Fiera di San Giuseppe).

It is held for three whole days, starting from March 19 annually. It is dedicated to the feast of Saint Joseph.

Here you can buy and taste many local delicacies or just start your acquaintance with the cuisine of the region.

Fiera di San Giuseppe

What to try

First of all, olive oil and dishes with black pepper - these are the two pillars on which La Spezia's cuisine rests.
Among the dishes, meshua is especially popular - a soup made from wheat, beans and chickpeas.
Also very popular are fried flatbread stuffed with cheese and ham called sgabei. They can also be sweet.
Do you want something unusual? Then try stuffed pumpkin flowers.
From the more traditional, you will definitely appreciate the local ravioli, vegetable casseroles.
Don't forget to rate the local wines! Especially the white Colli di Luni DOC and Cinque Terre DOC.

Where to go and what to see

If you come to La Spezia, be sure to check out the Cinque Terre Park, which consists of five lands.
Another leisure option outside the region is the city of Sartsana (Sardzana).

Here it is magnificent castle and a market with an abundance of cheeses.

In addition, it is worth visiting Montemarcello Magra Park and admiring Caprione Cape.
Also, you can drive to nearest beaches, which are located in Portovenere and Lerici. Or just stroll along the promenade in La Spezia itself.

La Spezia on the map

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La Spezia(Italian: La Spezia) is a city that is the capital of the province of La Spezia. It is located on the Ligurian coast, which, in turn, is located in the northwest of the Italian Republic.

If you find La Spezia on a map of Italy, you can see that the city is separated from the Tuscany region by only a few kilometers, and the city itself is located just in the middle of, perhaps, one of the most picturesque routes in Italy - Genoa - Pisa.

Location of La Spezia on the map of Italy

The population is 95600 people.
La Spezia is primarily a port in Italy, and not just a trade and passenger port, but also a military-strategic one. The city's harbor is called the Gulf of Spice (Italian: Golfo della Spezia).

Oddly enough, but La Spezia was not always Italian. In 1797, Napoleon, realizing what an advantageous position a village with two or three thousand inhabitants then occupied, captured La Spezia.

It was at this very time that a port appeared in the harbor, shipyards for the construction of ships, and by the beginning of the 19th century, rapid construction began in the city itself.

La Spezia became part of Italy only in 1861.

Main routes to and from La Spezia

How to get to La Spezia

First of all, the fact that La Spezia is located in the north of Italy implies a very developed transport network. But the city is also a commercial, military and tourist center and a port, which further increases the chances of a quick and convenient way to arrive in this corner of Italy.

Airplane. The closest airport to La Spezia is Genoa Airport. Directly from the airport, you can get to La Spezia by train, train in 1 hour 50 minutes.

Port. In La Spezia, cruise ships arrive at the Molo Garibaldi Pier. To the city center, the trip time is limited to only 15 minutes by a port transfer, and free of charge.

You can get to La Spezia by cruise ship

Railway. The La Spezia railway station belongs to the Genoa - Rome branch, which means that it is also easy to get from the cities of this direction by train.

From Milan, the travel time by train is 4 hours and a little (27-45 euros), from Turin and Pisa you can also come by train.

Routes from La Spezia

Let's talk about the most popular routes for tourists from La Spezia.

How to get from La Spezia to Portovenere:

How to get from La Spezia to Sestri Levante:

The most convenient way to travel is by train from the central station of La Spezia. There are 20 flights a day, the travel time will be 30 - 50 minutes, the ticket price is 4.25 - 5 euros. Tickets can be booked in advance;
On a motor ship or a boat that runs between nearby tourist towns.

How to get from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre:

Throughout the park, traffic is limited by car, therefore, it is better to get there by suburban train, line Genoa-La Spezia, travel time takes only 10-15 minutes. The stations of Riomaggiore and Monterosso are the largest and most suitable in the Cinque Terre for arriving tourists;
It is possible to drive along the serpentine road on small buses, minivans;
It is possible to sail to the Cinque Terre by boats or motor ships.

How to get from La Spezia to Portofino

To Portofino, as well as to many other places of interest for tourists, it is best and most convenient to get from the city of La Spezia from the central station La Spezia Centrale.

From there, take the train to the central station of Portofino - Santa Margherita Ligure Portofino.

The journey will take about an hour, costing 6.30 - 14 euros.

How to get from La Spezia to Pisa Airport
Pisa airport should also be departed from the central station La Spezia Centrale. From there, take the train to Aeroporto internazionale Galileo Galilei Pisa, travel time 1.20 min - 1.45 min. The cost is 6.60 - 12.30 euros.

How to get from the port of La Spezia to Florence (by train)
Often, passengers arriving on cruise ships in the port of La Spezia choose Florence as their next travel destination. How to get from the port to the beautiful pearl of Tuscany?
Cruise ships arrive at the Molo Garibaldi pier. Passengers are transported to the main points of the city of La Spezia on port transfers, they are mostly free.
You need a transfer to get to the central station of La Spezia - La Spezia Centrale. Buy a train ticket to Florence (Italian Firenza) at the station (you can also do it in advance on-line), ticket price 13.50 - 19.10 euros, travel time 2.10 - 2.50 hours.

Where to stay in La Spezia

The most economical and convenient way is to book a room, apartment, villa (whatever you like) on a special website on the Internet.

Homeowners rent their apartments without intermediaries, so the prices are the most reasonable.

If you want to relax in the most comfortable conditions, see the most picturesque views from the window, drink good coffee in the morning, then you should stay in La Spezia hotels, which have proven themselves from the best side:

Kitchen

Many tourists choose La Spezia as waypoint to move to other major cities.

But even if you are only one day in this port city, it is simply unacceptable not to try typical dish for La Spezia - Pizza Forinata.

This is pea flour pizza.

Pizza Forinata with pea flour

The dough is poured into a huge frying pan and fried for 10-15 minutes. Be sure to sprinkle with black pepper. The cost of a serving is 2-2.5 euros.

The location by the sea explains the predominance of seafood in the local cuisine.
Dishes from the freshest mussels, anchovies and other seafood are everywhere offered by restaurants on the coast:

Zuppa di cozze- tomato soup with mussels;
Fritto misto- a set of various types of fish and shellfish, deep-fried;
Acciughe al lemon- anchovies marinated in lemon juice, served with olive oil;
Muscoli ripieni- stuffed mussels in red tomato sauce.

Tomato soup with fresh mussels

And of course, because La Spezia is Italy, how could it be without a local dessert, Dolce - “sweets”?

Here, the traditional sweet treat is castagnaccio (Italian Castagnaccio).

This is a fragrant dessert, chestnut flour cake with dried grapes and pine nuts.

What to see in La Spezia in 1 day

Yes, most often, La Spezia for travelers is just a port, a transit point on the way to the following sights of Italy.
What can you see in La Spezia in a short time and not remain indifferent to what you see:

Interesting places around La Spezia

The surroundings of La Spezia are just a storehouse for a lover of natural beauties and a connoisseur of historical heritage. Famous places are:

Beaches around La Spezia

Italy has all the conditions for a comfortable beach holiday. This is the azure sea, these are beaches for every taste: both with sandy and with a stone entrance. It is clean air and beautiful vegetation.

Of course, the sea and the wonderful weather of La Spezia are the best place for a beach holiday.

Even in winter there are no temperatures below 0C, because the Ligurian mountains cover the coast from cold winds. Well, in summer the temperature does not rise above 37 degrees, also because of the protection of the mountains. The best time to visit sea towns and beaches is from May to October.

Several beaches in the province of La Spezia are considered unusually beautiful and picturesque.
Examples of these beaches are:

Events in La Spezia

Staying in La Spezia, you can not only visit historical and simply beautiful and interesting places, taste and evaluate local cuisine, there is an opportunity to participate in numerous holidays and festivals:

On October 30, on Via Fortezza Sardzana in the fortress of Sarzanello, Halloween is held for children. Dinner, tunnel of horror, themed games inside the fortress;
Since 1969, the International Jazz Festival has been annually gathering thousands of fans of this musical genre in the Villa Marigola park, in public gardens, at the Alberto Picco Stadium;
March 19 is the Festival of St. Giuseppe. At this time, more than 600 shops with their products and crafts open;
On the first Sunday of August, the Sea Festival is held, and simply - a regatta.

Even one day spent in the city of La Spezia will show the contrast between the luxury of villas, parks, gardens and fishing boats, fishermen moving their fishing gear here and there. This is exactly the look of the sea city.

In La Spezia you can enjoy the atmosphere of the fishing towns

heritage rich history, which are carefully stored here, will allow you to touch antiquity, as well as look into the most interesting old villages.

Local nature will let you enjoy amazing views seas. And the opportunity to combine this with a unique cuisine makes the rest here simply unforgettable.