La Spezia Tours & Cruise Excursions
Discover the best La Spezia tours and cruise excursions on the Italian Riviera: sail or hike between the five candy-coloured villages of the Cinque Terre, cruise the Gulf of Poets to romantic Portovenere, marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, day-trip to Renaissance Florence, and taste the wines of Tuscany. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect day ashore.
Explore La Spezia by interest
Whatever brings you to La Spezia — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in La Spezia
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Cinque Terre
Five villages.
Vernazza
From the sea.
Portovenere
Gulf of Poets.
Leaning Tower
Pisa’s icon.
Florence
Renaissance art.
Tuscany
Vineyard hills.
Manarola
Cliffside village.
Lucca
Walled city.
20 min awayCinque Terre
Five villages.
30 min awayPortovenere
Gulf of Poets.
1 hr awayPisa
Leaning Tower.
2 hr awayFlorence
Renaissance art.
Day trip awayTuscany
Vineyard hills.
1 hr awayLucca
Walled city.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every La Spezia visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and blooming — ideal for the coast.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm and busy, best for swimming.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm, golden and quieter — lovely.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cool and calm, with fewer visitors.
For hiking
Spring and autumn are best for the trails.
Best overall
May, June and September are ideal.
One day
The Cinque Terre by train and boat.
Two days
Add Portovenere, Pisa and Florence.
Three days
Add Tuscan wine and hiking.
For scenery
The Cinque Terre and Portovenere.
For culture
Pisa and Florence.
With kids
A boat cruise and Pisa.
By train
Frequent trains reach the Cinque Terre, Pisa and Florence.
By boat
Ferries cruise to the villages and Portovenere.
On foot
Coastal trails link the Cinque Terre villages.
Tours
Guided excursions cover the coast and Tuscany.
Where to stay
Stay in La Spezia or a Cinque Terre village.
Euro
Italy uses the euro; cards are widely accepted.
Cinque Terre card
A Cinque Terre card covers trains and trails.
Take a boat
Cruise the coast for the best village views.
Book Pisa
Reserve Leaning Tower climb tickets ahead.
Florence tickets
Pre-book the Uffizi and Accademia to skip lines.
Hike a trail
Walk between two villages for stunning views.
Shoulder season
Visit May, June or September for fewer crowds.
Cinque Terre tours
Village day trips fill up — book ahead.
Boat trips
Coastal cruises sell out — reserve early.
Pisa tower
Tower climb slots are limited — book ahead.
Florence museums
Uffizi tickets sell out — reserve early.
Guided hikes
Trail tours have limited spots — book ahead.
Cruise days
Excursions sell out on port days — book well ahead.
Cinque Terre
Around €40–90 for a Cinque Terre day trip.
Boat cruise
About €35–70 for a coastal boat tour.
Pisa
Roughly €60–110 for a Pisa day trip.
Florence
Around €90–150 for a Florence day trip.
Tuscan wine
About €80–140 for a Tuscany wine tour.
How to save
Use a Cinque Terre card for trains and trails.
La Spezia through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Blooming coast.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Swimming.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy.
- Best for
- Golden & calm.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool.