La Spezia

The city, with its population of around 110,000, is beautifully situated on the Gulf of La Spezia on the Ligurian coast. The surrounding area has a great deal to offer. Pisa is only a few kilometers away, and not far from La Spezia, the steep mountains of the Cinque Terre rise majestically from the sea. Most cruise passengers use La Spezia as a starting point for excursions into the surrounding region

The port

Cruise ships dock at the 450-meter-long pier, which is located close to the city center. A shuttle bus takes you to the 'Golfo dei Poeti Cinque Terre Cruise Terminal.' From there, a beautiful seaside promenade leads you directly into the city. Inside the terminal, you will find tourist information, local tour operators, and taxis. Ferry tickets and the Cinque Terre Card can also be purchased here. Along the promenade, there are additional providers offering excursions to the Cinque Terre and the surrounding area. You can view schedules and prices

on foot

La Spezia is easy to explore on foot. It is only a few hundred meters from the port to the center along the beautiful promenade, and just under two kilometers to the train station.

Shuttle buses

At the port of La Spezia, cruise passengers are not permitted to walk around on foot. For this reason, free shuttle buses are provided to take you to the cruise terminal

Buses

If you would like to take the bus to the train station or the surrounding area, you can find information about routes and prices on the company's website. The nearest bus stop is located directly opposite the terminal, right in front of the cathedral.

Taxis

Radio Taxi La Spezia offers special tours of the surrounding area for cruise passengers. You can find prices and routes here.

Car rental

Renting a car is another good option to explore the region. Europcar maintains a branch in La Spezia.

By train

The Cinque Terre is easily accessible by train. The journey to the village furthest from La Spezia takes approximately 30 minutes. You can view or download the schedule on the Cinque Terre.eu website; the download link can be found here.

The 'Cinque Terre Express' trains run every 20 minutes and stop in all five villages. It is well worth getting the Cinque Terre Card, which includes unlimited train travel and access to the hiking trails.

By boat

An attractive alternative for visiting the Cinque Terre is by boat. From the sea, you get a fantastic view of the coast and the villages.

The Consorzio Marittimo Turistico Cinque Terre - Golfo dei Poeti offers excursions across several routes. You can find information on lines and prices on the provider's website. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal or directly at the ticket booth. You can reach the booth by turning left at the terminal and following the seaside promenade. The ticket booth is located on the left side of the promenade and is impossible to miss.