La Spezia, a port city in Liguria, is often recommended as a practical base for exploring the Cinque Terre — the five coastal villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
While opinions vary (some travellers find it less charming than places like Portovenere or Levanto), La Spezia is frequently praised for its convenience, affordability, and transport connections. For many visitors — especially those planning day trips and wanting flexibility — it offers a calmer, smarter way to experience Cinque Terre.
If you’re still deciding how to organise your visit, this article fits into a broader planning strategy explained here: How to Plan Your Trip to Cinque Terre (and Not Get Stressed)
Excellent transportation hub
La Spezia is one of the most efficient transport hubs in the region. La Spezia Centrale is a major railway station with frequent, direct regional trains to all five Cinque Terre villages.
Travel times are short — often just 10–20 minutes to the nearest villages like Riomaggiore. Trains run frequently throughout the day, making it easy to plan hikes, beach stops, or short visits without being locked into rigid schedules.
The Cinque Terre Card, which includes unlimited train travel between villages, access to hiking trails, and Wi-Fi in stations, can be purchased in La Spezia. This removes the need for a car entirely and avoids the stress of parking, narrow roads, and restricted traffic zones inside the villages.
In addition, ferries to the Cinque Terre villages and nearby destinations like Portovenere depart from La Spezia’s harbour, offering a scenic alternative to trains — especially popular in good weather.
Affordability and accommodation options
Accommodation in La Spezia is significantly cheaper than in the Cinque Terre villages, where prices are driven up by limited space and constant demand.
The city offers a wide range of options — hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and hostels — making it ideal for longer stays, families, or groups. Many properties also offer easier luggage access and, in some cases, parking, which is rare inside the villages themselves.
Visiting La Spezia or the Cinque Terre?
Escape the crowds with our truffle hunt & vineyard tasting in Lunigiana — a perfect shore excursion from La Spezia.
For many travellers, staying in La Spezia means spending less on accommodation and reallocating budget toward experiences such as boat trips, food, or guided activities.
Proximity and daily flexibility
Located just south of the Cinque Terre National Park, La Spezia sits only a few kilometres from the first village. This allows visitors to enter Cinque Terre early and leave before peak crowds, returning to a quieter base in the evening.
It’s also well connected to other Italian cities. High-speed and regional trains link La Spezia to Pisa, Florence, Genoa, and Milan, making it a strong base for travellers combining Cinque Terre with a broader Italian itinerary.
Urban amenities and dining
Unlike the small villages, La Spezia functions as a real Italian city. Visitors benefit from supermarkets, pharmacies, local markets, a waterfront promenade, and a wider choice of restaurants.
Dining options tend to be more varied and better value, with access to traditional Ligurian cuisine such as pesto, seafood, focaccia, and regional wines — often without the tourist-focused pricing found inside Cinque Terre.
For a deeper look at what the city offers beyond transport, see: Things to Do in La Spezia & Cinque Terre
Is La Spezia really the “best” base?
Not everyone agrees — and that’s fair. La Spezia is less picturesque than the Cinque Terre villages themselves and has a visible port and naval presence. Travellers prioritising romance or postcard scenery may prefer staying directly in a village, Levanto for its flatter beaches, or Portovenere for its dramatic coastal views.
However, for visitors focused on logistics, cost control, and flexibility, La Spezia consistently stands out. It allows you to enjoy Cinque Terre during the best hours — and escape it when it becomes overwhelming.
In short, La Spezia may not be the most beautiful place to stay — but for many travellers, it is the smartest.
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