La Spezia

With its population of around 110,000, the city is beautifully situated on the Gulf of La Spezia on the Ligurian coast. The surrounding area has plenty to offer: Pisa is only a few miles away, and the steep mountains of the Cinque Terre rise sharply from the sea just a short distance from the city.

Most cruise passengers use La Spezia as a base for excursions to the surrounding areas. Pisa and Florence are easily accessible by train, and trips to the Cinque Terre are also very popular. We wanted to have a relaxing day, though, so we simply stayed in La Spezia. The port is very centrally located, just a few minutes from the city center. From the harbor, head left and stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade. At the end, turn right to head toward the heart of the city.

Farinata

We skipped breakfast on board again today because we wanted to try farinata, a local specialty. Farinata is a savory pancake made from chickpea flour, olive oil, water, and salt, then baked in a wood-fired oven. It’s best eaten hot, as the dough quickly hardens once it cools down. You can find the most authentic farinata at Pizzeria La Pia Centenaria.

Caffeteria Orefici

We stopped at Caffeteria Orefici for an espresso and a cappuccino. The coffee is excellent, and we only paid €2.50 for both. It’s clearly a local favorite, as you’ll see many of La Spezia’s residents enjoying their coffee here too.

Pizzeria Pulcinella

We had actually picked out a restaurant before we left home. However, once we got there, a kind lady advised us against eating there. So, we wandered through La Spezia in search of a new spot and ended up choosing Pizzeria Pulcinella. The pizza was excellent, the tiramisu was top-notch, and it was very affordable, too. We felt that €35 for two pizzas, tiramisu, and a bottle of wine was a very fair price.

After lunch, we took a slow stroll back to the ship; we had a wonderful morning in La Spezia. It’s definitely worth taking a quiet day without a packed schedule every now and then, even though we’d probably opt for an excursion to the surrounding area next time we’re in La Spezia.