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La Spezia: when your ship stops here

The train to the five villages of the Cinque Terre, Pisa's leaning tower, or the old town and the gulf by boat.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

La Spezia is a naval and commercial port on the Ligurian coast of Italy, roughly midway between Genoa and Pisa, and its central station is on the railway that joins the two. Its own treasure is close: the five villages of the Cinque Terre begin 15 km (9 miles) from the station, reached by train or by boat, and the boat also calls at Lerici and Portovenere on the gulf.

Sources: Wikipedia: La Spezia; Wikipedia: La Spezia Centrale railway station

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Cinque Terre by train

    Five villages on the cliffs, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 and a national park since 1999. The Cinque Terre Express runs from La Spezia to Levanto and stops at all five. The Via dell'Amore, the cliff path from Riomaggiore to Manarola, is open again after 12 years shut: one way only, Riomaggiore to Manarola, 9 am to 7 pm in winter and to 9 pm from late March to late October 2026, with tickets sold online.

    Tip: Pick two villages, not five. Long distance trains skip some of the stops, so take the regional Express.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Cinque Terre; Wikipedia: La Spezia Centrale railway station; Via dell'Amore (the official site: hours, one way rule, tickets)

  2. 2. Pisa and the Leaning Tower

    Down the coast by train, Pisa's bell tower was begun in 1173 and finished in 1372, 199 years of building in three stages. It is 55.86 m (183 feet) on its low side, leaned 5.5 degrees by 1990, and the work of 1993 to 2001 brought it back to 3.97 degrees; 294 steps spiral to the top. The whole Piazza del Duomo has been a World Heritage Site since 1987.

    Tip: It is 294 steps to the top, so decide at the bottom whether the climb is for you.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Leaning Tower of Pisa; Wikipedia: La Spezia

  3. 3. La Spezia itself, and the gulf by boat

    Via del Prione, the narrow street that splits the old town in two, takes its name from the stone where public notices were once read out. Above it the recently restored Castello San Giorgio goes back to a first castle of 1262, rebuilt from 1371 and again from 1607, and the Naval Technical Museum is by the port. Boats from the waterfront serve Lerici and Portovenere before heading out to the Cinque Terre.

    Tip: The boat is the slow, pretty way to the villages; the train is the quick one.

    Source: Wikipedia: La Spezia

What to skip

  • Walking the coast path without checking it is open

    The Sentiero Azzurro, the blue trail that joins the five villages, is often closed in parts by landslides. Check at the park office or the station before you plan a day on foot, and keep the train as your way back.

    Source: Wikipedia: Cinque Terre

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in La Spezia

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in La Spezia, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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