La Spezia is a town of 92,610 inhabitants in the province of La Spezia, in Liguria, Italy. It is the capital of its province.
The municipality covers 51.74 km², with a density of 1,790 inhabitants per km².
The nearest airport is Pisa (PSA), about 65 km away as the crow flies. Read our guide to the airport.
Things to see in La Spezia
- La Spezia and the Naval MuseumCuriosities
Gateway to the Cinque Terre
La Spezia lies at the head of the Gulf of Poets, a deep bay named after Byron and Shelley, who lived here. A naval city with an authentic Ligurian centre, it is the best base for the Cinque Terre.
What to see
The Amedeo Lia Museum has a precious collection of paintings and objects from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century, and the Naval Technical Museum is one of the oldest in the world. Walk along Via del Prione, the main street of the old town, to the lively market square and the long seafront promenade with its palms. The Castle of San Giorgio, above the centre, holds the archaeological museum and has views over the gulf.
Food
Mesciua, a soup of chickpeas, beans and spelt, farinata, stuffed mussels, trofie with pesto and the wines of the Cinque Terre, including the sweet Sciacchetrà.
Around La Spezia
Trains to Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Monterosso in a few minutes, boats to Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria and Tino, Lerici and Tellaro, and Sarzana. Pisa airport is about an hour away.
La Spezia on the map
Nearby towns
Where to stay in and around La Spezia
Tours and activities nearby
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