Getting to Portovenere in 2025 - A Transportation Guide.

How to Visit by Boat or Bus, Car or Hiking.

 Where to Stay in Portovenere & Links to More Information

Portovenere, Liguria.

Beautiful describes the town of Portovenere - so does stately and evocative and discreet. This jewel of Liguria is located on the western shore of the Gulf of La Spezia  - just 6 miles south (by air) from Riomaggiore, the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre. This article will help you get to Porto Venere* and for information on What to Eat and selecting a Portovenere hotel, scroll way down. For information on what to see, read Portovenere Travel Guide - The Top Ten Attractions and you also might like La Spezia Travel Guide - 10 Top Attractions.

Waterfront buildings                                Portovenere, Liguria

Read Below 

 Portovenere    By Train
                          By Bus
                          By Ferry Boat & Boat Taxi
                          By Automobile & Parking
                          By Taxi 
    Hiking To Portovenere & Cinque Terre.
    Where to Stay.
    More Information.
    Sample Boat Schedule

Portovenere by Train.
There is no train to Portovenere. The closest train connections are La Spezia Centrale and four of the Cinque Terre towns (not Corniglia). At La Spezia the transfer is by bus, taxi, or ferry boat. From the Cinque Terre the transfer is by a ferry boat so weather, budget, & baggage are considerations.

Portovenere By Bus.

ATC bus line 11/P runs between La Spezia and Portovenere.

It's easy to take the bus from La Spezia to Portovenere. The excellent bus service to and from La Spezia is the 11/P bus line which runs along the shore road (SS530) to Portovenere, leaving about every 15 minutes all day long (but not from the train station).
From La Spezia, the trip takes about 35 minutes, and it's a codice 3 ticket. One main bus stop is Mercato Nord which is just north of La Spezia's open market on Corso Cavour (La Spezia Map: Train-Bus Transfer).  There are also other outbound bus stops, of course (one's near the soccer stadium) and they are found by means of the blue bus icons on the map referenced above. If you click the bus icon, a box appears with the stop's bus lines and times. You can read more about taking buses and free and pay parking in our article Getting Around: La Spezia. The Mercato Nord bus stop is a pleasant 10 minute walk from La Spezia Centrale train station.

La Spezia, Mercato Nord bus stop.

Ticket Sellers. Tickets are sold at most newstands and tobacconists, all post offices, some bars and stores. In La Spezia, the easiest for many will be the Centrale FS train station, where there's a self-service bus ticket machine. From the Mercato Nord bus stop, there's a newstand at the outdoor market nearby.  In Portovenere, tickets are sold at the Tourist Office (Pro Loco) near the entrance to the old town. There's also a self-service machine on the municipio (city hall) side of Via Garibaldi near the main bus stop - opposite the fruit store. If you buy from the bus driver, the price is doubled. 

From Sarzana, The bus from Sarzana to Portovenere requires a codice 7 ticket, and the bus leaves from Piazza Martiri, which is located near the center. Ask locally for directions. The bus leaves hourly and it takes about 70 minutes. On your return, make sure you get the Sarzana bus from Portovenere, since after reaching La Spezia each bus travels to a different destination. Consider also a train between Sarzana and La Spezia, and then the La Spezia-Portovenere bus.

For more detailed bus planning, see the ATC Website - where you can get a full or partial timetable and bus and parking info.  There's also an ATC Trip Planner  which will determine the route from your desired origin and destination and display it on a map. Remember that the schedules do not mention every bus stop, and the map icon info may not mention every bus stopping there. The schedules change around June 14 and September 15, though usually not significantly.

Travel Tip____Where to Stay______________________________     
A word to the wise: location is important in deciding on a Portovenere hotel, be sure to understand where your choice is located. Our six hotel recommendations below are listed from the old town outward. While some advertised 'Portovenere' hotels are a pleasant 20 minute stroll along the waterfront, others are in the hamlet of Le Grazie (della Baia, Le Grazie & Relais del Golfo, for example) which is a bus or car ride away! To see all Portovenere  hotels listed, use this link: Booking.Com.Portovenere 

Our notes on Portovenere hotel locations

Click on the Portovenere hotel link for more information and booking.

Grand Hotel Portovenere Recently renovated, the location overlooking the historic center cannot be better. Many rooms with sea views. Full service including free wifi. Parking on site is 20 Euro
Affittacamera La Darsena Darsena means wharf, and this B&B is right along the water in old Portovenere.
Hotel Genio is just outside the ancient wall surrounding the old part of Portovenere. Dogs welcome.
Affittacamera La Lanterna This B&B is just a few minutes outside the old area, along the waterfront. 
Hotel Belvedere is well located and maybe the most popular choice.
Hotel Paradiso is not far from the old town and closer to Portovenere's limited beaches.
Hotel Royal Sporting is a pleasant 20 minute stroll along the waterfront is. This is nearer to beach facilities, and anyway you'll need the walk after what you will eat.

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Portovenere By Boat.

Ferry boat trip to Cinque Terre from Portovenere.

It's easy to reach to Portovenere by boat. The most realistic departure ports are La Spezia, Lerici, and four of the Cinque Terre towns (not Corniglia). While there's one RT daily from Levanto, locals recommend the train to Riomaggiore and then a boat from there.

Boat service begins around the end of March and ends after the 1st weekend of November. There are more trips on weekends and holidays, and in July and August. Look at our articles which have complete schedules, prices & info, Cinque Terre, Lerici, Portovenere Boat / Ferry Schedules. Verify schedules before your trip if your timing is tight. Keep in mind that the boats can be canceled for rough weather (which is uncommon in summer). 

In La Spezia, the boats leave from the western end of the Passeggiata Morin, which is the promenade along the waterfront, a 15-20 minute walk from the Centrale train station. There's lots of pay parking at nearby Porto Mirabello with pedestrian access over a cute suspension bridge to the ferry docks. Access to Porto Mirabello is from the roundabout where Via Italia meets Viale Amendola just west of the waterfront.

In Lerici, the dock is at the castle end of town, on one side of Piazza Garibaldi.

In Portovenere, the dock is where the auto road nears the waterfront at the edge of the old town.

Portovenere By Boat Taxi.
As befits a maritime community, you can arrange for affordable charter boat service for transport to or from Portovenere, as well as for tours, weddings, or facilitating unique hikes. This is an especially useful option if you have a group. The Consorzio Barcaioli is the local cooperative which has a price page (quoted per person with a 4 passenger minimum). Portovenere Taxi Boat is a small local charter and rental boat service.

Travel Tip__________________________________________________________________

Renting A Car in Italy. Car rental prices are important, but don't rent based solely on low price and stick to well known companies. We have some articles to help you:  
           Link: Independent Car Rental Price Comparisons for Italy                                    
           Link: Independent Car Rental Reviews for Italy 
           Link:Car Rental Tips for Italy - Pick It Up Right 
We advise getting your car from one of the companies with the fewest problems reported (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Autovia, Budget) either direct or via a reputable car rental broker such as AutoEuropewhere you get added services without paying more -  24/7 help line before, during, and after the rental; easy changes and cancellation; as well as available less expensive zero excess (deductible) insurance.** We hope you'll make your reservation through these links -using the links do not raise your price.
AutoEurope(US)    Auto Europe(UK) 
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Sgabei: Lunigiana DOC.

Portovenere By Automobile.
Driving to Portovenere. Driving your car rental to Portovenere through La Spezia is easy! The A15 autostrada exit becomes Via Carducci. Proceed straight about 2 km, and turn left, as directed by the blue Portovenere sign, onto Via Italia which is also SS1 (a/k/a the Roman Via Aurelia!). Proceed straight for about 2 km past La Spezia's lovely waterfront with its walkway, the Passeggiata Morin. The road will take a sharp right turn and then you're continuing straight as the road changes name to Viale Amendola. After about 1 km, turn left at a traffic light onto Viale Fieschi which is also SS530 following the blue sign to Portovenere and Cinque Terre. After another kilometer, at a giant intersection, you'll make a dull left turn toward Portovenere continuing on SS530. (The road to Cinque Terre will be forking to the right on SS370.) From there, the SS530 takes you to Portovenere without any serious decisions. You'll see some military installations; skirt the small seaside frazioni of Marola, Fezzano, and Le Grazie; be treated to some nice views of the Gulf; and after about 12 km and 20 minutes, you'll be there.

Pay Parking Machine

Parking in Portovenere Driving in Portovenere is even easier because there are no choices: there's just one one-way loop through town. There's also no decision regarding free parking - there isn't any: you must pay from 8am to 9pm from March 15 to October 15, or to 7 pm in low season.

 In early 2015, the high season hourly rates were listed to be Zone 1- 2.50E, Zone 2- 2.00E, Zone 3 & outlying Cavo- 1.50E. It would be more in the one underground garage in the town center. The outlying pay parking lots ('Cavo zone') can be reached by a shuttle (Giro) bus on weekends (April to Oct.) and daily in July and August. The round trip fare is 2€.

The parking receipt to display on your dashboard is issued by a machine and the ones we saw accepted coins and bills. Allow 2-3 hours for a simple tour of old Portovenere, 4-5 hours for a leisurely exploration with drinks or for a simple hike around the island of Palmaria. 

For parking an extended time, talk to your hotel, investigate the town's weekend or weekly rate, consider leaving the car in one of the free lots in La Spezia, or consider parking near one of the towns along the shore road (SS530) and taking the bus the rest of the way. See our article Getting Around: La Spezia which has information and links on parking in La Spezia.

Portovenere by Taxi.
For a taxi to Portovenere from La Spezia, there's Radio Taxi La Spezia phone 0187 523 523.  The fare in early 2013 was listed as 35€. There may be small extra charges for luggage and extra passengers. In Italy, taxi drivers do not expect a tip. For a taxi in Portovenere, the pro loco lists Daniele at 346.1573636.

The Portovenere Promontory from near Campiglia on CAI trail 1, Sentiero del Crinale ( the Ridge Trail). Click to enlarge.
F to R: The peak Il Muzzerone, Byron's Grotto, the rock spur of San Pietro (note steeple), Palmaria Island, Tino Island.

Hiking to Portovenere.
Portovenere is the endpoint (or beginning) of one of Italy's most scenic trails - CAI 1, Portovenere to Levanto, also known as the Sentiero del Crinale (the ridge trail). It's a serious trail that runs through mountainous terrain, but it's not crazy steep or unusually dangerous. If you are starting a hike from Portovenere, the trail begins off the main piazza outside the old town, and climbs alongside the town wall.

Trail 1 at Portovenere's town wall.

For hiking to Portovenere, there are several starting points besides Levanto. You can reach Trail 1 from all the Cinque Terre villages via connecting trails. Trail 1 can also be accessed by bus from La Spezia - either by the connecting Trail 4 from Biassa or as it passes through the town of Campiglia. For Biassa, bus 19 leaves almost hourly, and stops at Mercato North, among other stops (see the bus section). For Campiglia, it's bus 20 and it begins at Centrale FS train station and also stops at Mercato North. Note that beginning at Biassa or Campiglia allows a downhill round trip using the bus from Portovenere back to La Spezia!

The best Cinque Terre map we could find. Click to enlarge, right click to save.

For a wanderful,  detailed look at the geography, drill down on this map of Europe: Reit- und Wanderkart. Also, before your hike look at the Parco Nationale delle Cinque Terre website for news and for a schematic trail map which will indicate closed trails. 

The estimated hiking time to Portovenere from Levanto is 12 hours, from Monterosso 11 hours, Vernazza 10 hours, Riomaggiore (the nearest train) is 4 hours, from Biassa 3 1/2 hours, and from Campiglia 2 hours. 

What to Eat
We have done the eating for you. Read about specialties of the area which includes Portovenere.
 Our story A Guide to the Local Food of La Spezia  covers pesto, focaccia, croxetti, mescuia, vermentino, and more. Are you hungry yet?

Travel Tip__________________________________________________________________
Liguria Hotel Guide+City Selector
Part 1 Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector   Portovenere Hotels also Listed Below.
Lerici, Portovenere, La Spezia. Visit Cinque Terre & enjoy the Gulf of the Poets as well.
Part 2 Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector
Levanto, Bonassola, Moneglia, Sestri Levante, Lavagna, Chiavari. Visit both Cinque Terre & Portofino.
Part 3 Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector 
Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Portofino, Camogli, Recco. Towns on the perfect Portofino Peninsula.
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More Info

Palmaria Hiking Information about hiking Palmaria Island just across the channel from Portovenere.

Pro Loco Portovenere The local tourist association maintains a very informative site.

Integrated Route Planner This interactive transport timetable from the Ligurian region will give integrated routes within and between Ligurian provinces using both trains and buses. It only works about a week ahead, but it is a very helpful resource. Also adapted for Mobile Devices.

Trenitalia Link in English.

Some of our Liguria Travel Articles
Portovenere Travel Guide - The Top Ten Attractions Portovenere's attractions for reasonable folk
.
Castle to Castle Along the Gulf of the Poets All about Lerici across the Gulf - exploring, parking, hotels.
Getting Around La Spezia  Describes parking in La Spezia, as well as bus info and other goodies.
La Spezia Travel Guide: Top Ten Attractions as told by people who  have actually been there.

A Guide to the Local Food around La Spezia  Food of the area, as told by expert mangioni.
 

Getting to Portofino - Walking, Hiking, and More  Describes fabulous walking and hiking from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino.

The Most Beautiful Villages of Liguria Part 1 The Rock Villages A 7-part series covering 28 great little towns.

Which Guidebook to Buy?
First, buy your Cinque Terre guidebook before you arrive as you won't easily find them in Italy.  For a guidebook dedicated to Cinque Terre, the best by far is Pocket Cinque Terre Rick Steves   (Amazon US) (Amazon UK)  (Kindle UK). Most all of the Pocket Cinque Terre info is also included in Italy Rick Steves 2020  (Amazon US) (Amazon UK) which is Amazon’s best selling Italy guidebook.

For advice and reviews on guidebooks for Liguria, Florence, Rome, Venice & more, read our article:
All the Best Italy Guidebooks Reviewed


Buddy Can You Spare a Click? 

If we've helped, you can thank us by using these links to get quotes and/or reserve your car rental.
 AutoEurope(US)   Auto Europe(UK) or this link Booking.Com.Italy  for accommodation anywhere in Italy.

* Portovenere or Porto Venere, it's your choice. The Romans and the Comune use the two word version. Most sources, including most Italian government entities uses the one word version.

Send us a email if you hit a broken link or erroneous information.

Written by Martha

Getting Around: La Spezia - Gulf of the Poets Travel Guide

Bus & Train Information with Driving Directions & Parking

Parking for Cinque Terre & Portovenere. Where to Stay.

Since La Spezia is the transportation hub for its province, we had to write this article to help travelers explore this great place.  So we hope it helps you, but be sure to read some of the good stories listed below like La Spezia Travel Guide - Top 10 Attractions.

Look Below for:  Buses & Bus Schedules
                              Ferry Boats
                              Parking - Free & Pay
                              Hotel Recommendations
                              Cinque Terre connections
                              Excursion Ideas

Travel Tip____________________________________________________________________________
Where to Stay     
Our La Spezia hotel recommendations are at the end of this article.  To see all the La Spezia hotels listed on Booking.Com, use this link: Booking.Com.La Spezia

Learn more about how to minimize the crowds and enjoy Cinque Terre, Portofino & Liguria. To choose the best village and see Martha's hotel recommendations read our helpful:
Liguria Hotel Guide+City Selector
Link: Part 1: Cinque Terre South - Gulf of the Poets
Link: Part 2: Cinque Terre North to Portofino
Link: Part 3: The Portofino Peninsula
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Buses
Two entities handle local buses in our area of southern Liguria and northern Tuscany. ATC in La Spezia province, and ATN (CAT) in the province of Massa Carrara. In this article we are dealing with ATC La Spezia which covers the La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici, Ameglia, and Sarzana area, and also runs some buses to Aulla and Carrara.  ATC La Spezia has good internet functionality and you should be able to find all the bus info you need with a modest effort, as well as a good deal of information on other related topics.

ATC La Spezia handles many aspects of transport in the larger La Spezia area.  The main website ATC Home is also in English, and provides a broad array of info -  some bus information and links to more; material on parking areas in La Spezia - some with special bus connections; links to boat and ferry services around the Gulf; a link to integrated Ligurian transport information; a Google map function that shows available ATC transport possibilities between addresses; etc.  If you are living or staying in the area, we suggest you investigate this resource even if you don't take buses often.

A separate ATC website ATC Buses is also in English and provides detailed bus info, including a download of the current Orario (schedule); special notices (of a strike, say);  info on connecting mobile devices;  ticket seller locations;  a Google function that provides bus route info between addresses;  etc.  If you download, bear in mind that the schedules or for one season, for example April 1 to June 15, 2016. Though one can't determine a schedule beyond the current time period,  they don't seem to change much. This underlines the need to recheck your information before setting out. We suppose the current schedule can also be purchased at an edicola (news stand) as with train schedules, but we can't verify it.

ATC Schedules. For more detailed bus planning, see the ATC Website - where you can get a full or partial timetable and bus and parking info.  There's also an ATC Trip Planner  which will determine the route from your desired origin and destination and display it on a map.. Remember that the schedules do not name every bus stop (for the precise route, click on the blue bus icons of the Google map which will yield a box with bus routes and times at that bus stop). There are at least two schedules for each route and often some small type at the top of the page clarifying the entries. Note that the word 'Feriale' in Italian, meaning workday, sometimes may not include Saturday, depending on context. However, in the ATC schedules, 'Feriale' DOES include Saturday UNLESS it is modified in the Legend at the top of the page, or there is a separate 'Feriale al Sabato' schedule.  In the legend, Lun-Ven is Mon-Fri, Lun-Sab is Mon-Sat.  'Festivi' means Sunday and holidays (and Saturday if it is explicitly excluded from Feriale). 'Schol' (Scholastico) means school days, and 'Non-schol' means non-school days. The type color of these words corresponds to the type color of the schedule entry. The periods of 'schol' and 'non-schol' are defined at the beginning of the schedule.  The schedules are not as hard to read as it sounds - honest.

ATC Fares & Tickets. Fares are by distance and are divided into codice (codes). Each origin-destination pair has a codice, but we can only find a partial list Codice Sample. For example, La Spezia to Portovenere is 3, to Lerici 3, to San Terenzo 2, to Le Grazie 1, within La Spezia 1.  If you can't guess the codice, ask at a sales point. For each codice, you can buy singles, and you can buy 8 trip tickets, and there are more options travellers don't care about. The rates are a bargain, see ATC Fares. Tickets are purchased before you board at a few self-service machines (singles only) or at any Poste in La Spezia province or at small stores, bars, and newsstands that display the ATC logo. ATC Ticket Sellers are listed here.

When you get on the bus - front or back, you MUST validate the ticket in a little machine, which prints the time and chops off a little piece of the ticket. Otherwise, you do not have a valid ticket, and can be fined on the spot. Many Italians won't be using the little machine because they have monthly passes. Two people travelling together can use an 8 trip ticket, IF they validate it twice. A higher codice can be used on a lower codice trip, but not vice versa. (As per the comment below, realistically speaking the chances of being fined for no ticket or the wrong code are pretty low, especially outside crowded areas. Try to be good, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do).

More Info

Ferry boat trip to Cinque Terre

Boats/Ferries to Cinque Terre, Lerici, and Portovenere
Boat trips to and between the Gulf of the Poets towns of Lerici or Portovenere or to the Cinque Terre are highly recommended. They are available in combinations to suit every traveller. The boats run from about the end of March to the end of October.  In 2014, they are starting March 29.  The official schedules are on the Maritime Coop Website but not until the season nears. Fortunately for you, we have archived the schedules in this article Cinque Terre Lerici Portovenere Boat/Ferry Schedules.  The boats leave from the western end of the Passeggiata Morin which is the waterfront promenade. This bay, its towns, and its landscapes have been justly famous for centuries and they are yours to enjoy for mere money.

Travel Tip___________________________________________________________________

Renting A Car in Italy. If you drive in urban areas at home, you can drive in Italy. Car rental prices are important, but don't rent solely on low price and stick to well known companies. We have articles to help you:            
                           Link: Independent Car Rental Price Comparisons for Italy                           
                           Link: Independent Car Rental Reviews for Italy 
                           Link:Car Rental Tips for Italy - Pick It Up Right 
                           Link: Where to Rent a Car from Cinque Terre? 
Also useful for Portofino area.  We advise getting your car from one of the companies with the fewest problems reported (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Autovia, Budget) either direct or via a reputable car rental broker such as AutoEurope (NOT autoeuropa, ending in 'a'). The advantages of using AutoEurope are the added services without paying more - low price guarantee; 24/7 help before, during, and after the rental; easy changes and cancellation; as well as available less expensive zero excess (deductible) insurance.** If you find our efforts helpful, you can thank us by making your reservation through these links -using the links do not raise your price.
AutoEurope(US)    Auto Europe(UK) 
Avis(English)      Avis(IT)      Budget Rental (Europe in English) 
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Park & Shuttle La Spezia has two free and convenient Parking & Navette Page, one east and one west, with free bus (navette) shuttle service to the center (except in summer).  For regular users, there are also bike-sharing stands ( see our article Spezia-in-Bici). Parking in the center of La Spezia is tight and always by payment, so this may well save you time, money, and trouble. Here is a Parking Map of all parking area around the city, both free (libero) and pay. ATC also maintains an Italian language Parking Website though it is less useful than it should be.

Central Station Parking

La Spezia Train Parking

Centrale Train Station. There are 116 modern parking spots available at the central La Spezia train station with an entrance from Via Fiume (next to a large golden yellow building). This gives travellers to Cinque Terre a secure option. Parking can be reserved by registering at Centrale Parking. The rates in 2018 were 1.50 Euro per hour or 18 Euro per day with reservation and it's open 24 hours a day. Click the photos to enlarge. Your ticket also is good for 2 people on an ATC bus for up to 2 hours. It also provides access to large clean restrooms. The parking has video surveillance, but do not ever leave valuables in the car and do not leave all your baggage overnight even if hidden.

Palasport Sign and Shuttle Bus

Free Parking at Palasport (East) and Piazza d'Armi (West). Approaching the city on Via Carducci after leaving the A15 autostrada, the free Palasport parking area is is a right turn at the first traffic light (small sign) on Via della Pianta. You'll see the sign as you turn, and the lot is on the left, and the bus stop is on the street behind the sign. (Note: Don't count on the bus, info has been impossible to find 1/2019). The lot is huge, and when your friendly test dummies used it, it was only half full. The free Piazza d'Armi lot on the west side of town is on Via XV Giugno a small street off Viale Amendola (opposite the Q8 gas station). There are directional signs in the adjacent intersections. This lot is within walking distance of the train station and open market, but there is also a free shuttle (except summer, see above). Because it is more convenient, it is also more likely to fill up. The only advisory we have concerns the return. In the center of town, the service (Navetta or Speedy Bus) had limited signs at the bus stops. Therefore, before you exit, confirm with the driver where to wait for the return bus. At midday, the headway (time between buses) was 20 minutes, and it's less at rush hour.

Parking for Cruise Boats. New in 2013, there are 40 parking spots available for cruise boat customers at 9 Euro a day. The lot is on the east end of Passegiata Morin. They may be reserved in advance at this Italian language page of the Mobpark Website

Parking for Cinque Terre Boats. Several hundred parking spots are available at Porto Mirabello just a few minutes walk from the Cinque Terre / Portovenere / Lerici ferry boat dock. This is La Spezia's new private boat facility, and it's reached on foot via a suspension bridge at the western end of Passegiata Morin. The auto entrance is further to the west. The cost in May, 2014 was .50E per hour, including overnight. The facility is spanking new and under video surveillance. Parking Map: Porto Mirabello.

Cinque Terre The best way to get there is by train, and there's a Trenitalia link below. For an enjoyable relaxing trip, do not drive to the villages unless you've arranged with your hotel! The roads are narrow, there are many tight hairpins, parking is limited in the extreme, and trains are much easier and quicker. Also consider taking a boat and seeing Portovenere along the way (see above). The National Park website for the Cinque Terre has good intentions, but as it is technically erratic, try this Entry Point as well. Further, the Cinque Terre are subject to landslides from time to time, so monitor info as your trip date approaches. A few trail closings are not a big deal as there are many trails - read what the local blog Little Paradiso says about this. Also look at Trip Advisor Liguria Forum for recent information. 

Tellaro  Golfo dei Poeti  Liguria

Tellaro  If you want to visit a nice former fishing village without the crowds (relatively) in Cinque Terre, visit Tellaro, just down the Gulf from the beautiful town of Lerici. The Tellaro road is too small for tour buses! It is reached by bus from Lerici or by hiking.

La Spezia Beach  Sorry there's nothing in town. Your best bet is a bus to Lerici's beaches or a ferry boat to the Island of Palmaria.

Integrated Ligurian Transport Planner For Ligurian travel beyond La Spezia province, this may help you make connections, as it combines Trenitalia with local bus operations.

Trenitalia For train schedules and tickets. A train from La Spezia is the best way to get to the Cinque Terre. The trains are frequent, so don't sweat it unless you're getting there early or late. Buying a ticket online might speed things up at the station.

Travel Tip___________________________________________________________________
Where to Stay     -Use this Booking.Com.Italy link to find your hotel anywhere in Italy.
                                      -All the La Spezia hotels are listed here: Booking.Com.La Spezia
Below are links to our La Spezia hotel recommendations. The downtown grid of La Spezia is not huge, and there are no especially trendy or dangerous neighborhoods. Parking is tight in the center, though. Considerations: train access, Cinque Terre ferry, parking, budget, shopping, museums.

Click on the hotel name for more information and booking.
Hotel Crismar Great location in the center between the train station and the port, on the pedestrian shopping street. Loan bikes, small, friendly, no hotel parking. Economical to Moderate pricing.
Albergo delle Spezie Close to the port, ferry dock, two museums, and the public gardens but still downtown with a funky, eco-friendly vibe. No hotel parking. Economical to Moderate pricing.
Hotel Birillo On the edge of town, yet close to the ferry dock, the market, walking distance to the train.  Small rooms, friendly staff.  No hotel parking. Economical pricing.
Affittacamere Casa Dane Very close to the train station, shops and restaurants.  Small, newly renovated, friendly.  No hotel parking. Economical pricing
CMH My One Hotel A larger business hotel, right in the center of town with a multilingual staff. Walk to the train. Parking can be arranged. Moderate pricing.
Hotel Corallo  A larger hotel. It's a manageable walk from the center, but close to the harbor with available hotel parking.  Economical to Moderate pricing.

Learn the Pluses & Minuses of other excellent Ligurian towns, read here:
Part 1 Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector  Cinque Terre South.
Lerici, Portovenere, La Spezia. Visit Cinque Terre & enjoy the Gulf of the Poets as well.
Part 2 Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector  Cinque  Terre North to Portofino.
Levanto, Bonassola, Moneglia, Sestri Levante, Lavagna, Chiavari. Visit both Cinque Terre & Portofino.
Part 3 Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector Towns on the perfect Portofino Peninsula.
Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Portofino, Camogli, Recco.
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Some of our other Liguria Travel Articles
Castle to Castle Along the Gulf of the Poets All about Lerici across the Gulf - exploring, parking, hotels.

La Spezia Travel Guide: Top Ten Attractions as told by people who  have actually been there.

A Guide to the Local Food around La Spezia  Food of the area, as told by expert mangioni.
 

Getting to Portofino - Walking, Hiking, and More  Describes fabulous walking and hiking from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino.

The Most Beautiful Villages of Liguria Part 1 The Rock Villages A 7-part series covering 28 great little towns.

Written by Martha