Car Hire La Spezia - Mini guide to La Spezia

Situated in the inner part of the Golfo dei Poeti in northwestern Italy, La Spezia lies on flat plains surrounded by the hills and the sea. A modern town with a historically colourful past and a vibrant seafront, La Spezia attracts a wealth of tourists throughout the year.

The two major historical sights are in Sant'Agostino and del Bastione squares, where recent works of restorations adorn the town. Sant'Agostino Square is home to the most antique Baroque constructions of La Spezia. You could head down to the seafront, where the historical gardens offer a unique combination of colours.

Walking in La Spezia is particularly enjoyable as some streets are closed to traffic. In Prione Street an abundance of shops and cafes can be found, while adjacent is Corso Cavour, also closed to traffic and home to fine Liberty style buildings from the late 19th century.

Plenty of good restaurants can be found around the main squares, but if you’re thinking about doing the shopping yourself, Cavour (or del Mercato) Square, from Monday to Saturday, is a market selling fruit and vegetables, cold cuts and cheese, flowers and plants.

A great day trip would be a visit to the military shipyard. With over 12kms of roads, a magnificent statue of the shipyard’s builder, and a naval museum that tells the story of the Italian Navy, it makes an interesting day out.

The nearest international airports (Linate and Malpensa) are in Milan. It’s fast, easy and efficient getting to La Spezia from Milan. Take a train from Milan central station to Pavia (line to Genova-Ventimiglia and Genova-La Spezia). The train trip from Milan to Pavia takes 30-40 minutes.