Soggiorna
La Spezia is the natural base for the eastern Riviera: trains arrive from Genoa and from Tuscany, two motorways converge here, and this is where the boats leave for the Cinque Terre, Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets. Choosing the right way in makes a real difference, especially in summer.
By train
La Spezia Centrale is the main station and the hub for the regional trains to the Cinque Terre. That is why so many people sleep here and visit the villages on day trips: the train sidesteps the parking problem entirely, and in those five villages parking is the real bottleneck.
There is a second station in town, though — La Spezia Migliarina — where only some regional trains stop. Check which of the two your train calls at before you travel: they are not the same stop and they are not close together. It is the most common mistake first-time visitors make.
By car
Two motorways meet here: the A12, which runs along the coast between Genoa and Tuscany, and the A15, which comes down from Parma across the Apennines. Arriving from northern Italy you will almost always use the latter. Your satnav will pick the right exit for the area you are staying in — check it in advance, because doubling back along the coast road in high season costs time.
Parking
You will not find a list of car parks here. Parking areas, tariffs and restricted-traffic zones change over time and with the season, and a wrong list is worse than no list.
Before you leave, ask your host where to leave the car, whether the space is private or public, whether it is guaranteed or merely likely, what it costs, and how far you will still have to walk with luggage. "Parking nearby" means nothing until someone attaches a distance to it.
If the Cinque Terre are your plan, consider leaving the car parked for the whole stay and travelling by train: it is the single change that simplifies most.
By boat
In season, boats leave from the waterfront for Portovenere, the Cinque Terre and Lerici. These are seasonal services and they depend on the sea: check the operator's calendar the day before, and don't make them the only plan for the day.
Frequently asked questions
Does La Spezia have only one station?
No. La Spezia Centrale is the main one; La Spezia Migliarina is a secondary stop served by some regional trains only. Check your ticket.
Is it better to arrive by car or by train?
If the Cinque Terre are the goal, the train is almost always more practical. If you want to explore the inland valleys or the Gulf of Poets, a car gives you more freedom — but it has to go somewhere.
Do the boats run all year?
No, they are seasonal and can be suspended in rough seas. Check before relying on them.