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Day Trips & Excursions

Day Trips & Excursions

Liguria Piedmont And Valle Daosta, Italy

Nearby Destinations

Popular locations within a day's journey from La Spezia.

Find and book excursions with GetYourGuide.

Day Trips

  • Cinque Terre: Frequent trains from La Spezia Centrale. Allow a full day for 2-3 villages.
  • Portovenere: Local bus or scenic ferry. Half-day to full day.
  • Lerici: Frequent local buses. Half-day visit.
  • Sarzana: Regional trains (15-20 minutes). Half-day to full day.

Natural Escapes

Find tranquility in the region's natural landscapes.

Isola Palmaria

A short ferry trip from Portovenere or La Spezia. This largest Ligurian island offers hiking and secluded swimming coves.

Island Highlights

  • Numerous hiking trails from easy to moderate.
  • Clear waters ideal for swimming.
  • Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) accessible by boat tour.

Montemarcello-Magra Regional Park

Accessible by local bus or car. A starting point could be Montemarcello village.

Park Activities

  • Hiking trails through Mediterranean scrub.
  • Opportunities for birdwatching.
  • Panoramic viewpoints of the Gulf of Poets.

Lunigiana: A Quiet Escape

Historical Features

  • Numerous medieval castles (Pontremoli, Fosdinovo).
  • Charming stone-built villages.
  • Lesser-known part of Italy.
  • Pristine rural landscapes.

Access & Activities

  • Reached by train or car inland from La Spezia.
  • Enjoy local culinary traditions.
  • Ideal for exploring historical sites.
  • A quiet, immersive experience.

Accessing Natural Escapes

  • Palmaria Island Ferry from Portovenere:Frequent service
  • Palmaria Island Ferry from La Spezia:Less frequent service
  • Montemarcello-Magra Park Access:Local bus or car
  • Lunigiana Access:Train or car inland
  • Palmaria Island Time:Half-day to full day
  • Montemarcello Park Time:Half-day to full day
  • Lunigiana Time:Full day or more
  • Best for:Outdoor pursuits and tranquility

Traveler Tip

Consider a boat tour around Palmaria Island for an unique perspective on its natural beauty and sea caves.

Cultural Excursions

Extend your cultural exploration beyond La Spezia.

Carrara Marble Quarries

Witness the immense marble quarries. Learn about extraction and visit workshops. Half-day trip.

Pisa

Home to the iconic Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. Easily reached by train. Half-day to full day.

Lucca

Famous for Renaissance city walls, charming center. Train via Pisa. Full day suggested.

Carrara Marble Quarries

Take a regional train to Carrara-Avenza (20-30 minutes), then local bus or taxi to quarries.

Experiences at Carrara

  • Witness marble extraction.
  • Visit local marble workshops.
  • Join guided jeep tours into quarries.

Pisa Exploration

Easily reached by frequent direct regional trains (45-60 minutes).

Pisa Attractions

  • Piazza dei Miracoli (UNESCO World Heritage).
  • Duomo (Cathedral) and Baptistery.
  • Charming historic center.

Lucca Travel Details

Access:Train via Pisa (approx. 1.5 hours total)
Main Attraction:Renaissance city walls (walk or cycle)
Other Sights:Beautiful piazzas, ancient churches, narrow streets
Composer:Birthplace of Giacomo Puccini
Recommended Time:Full day
Experience:Appreciate Lucca's charm

Culture Tip

  • Consider a guided tour for marble quarries for an immersive experience.
  • Climb the Leaning Tower in Pisa if tickets are booked in advance.
  • Rent a bike to cycle the walls in Lucca for a fun perspective.
  • Check opening hours for attractions before your visit.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on historic streets.

Multi-Day Extensions

Extend your La Spezia trip with longer explorations of neighboring regions.

Adding 1-3 Days to Your Itinerary

1

Genoa & Riviera di Levante

Explore Genoa (capital of Liguria) and towns like Sestri Levante, Portofino, Camogli. Frequent trains connect these locations.

2

Tuscan Cities

Transition to Florence and Siena for art and history. Direct trains to Florence (some via Pisa or Viareggio). Easy travel within Tuscany.

3

Parma & Emilia-Romagna

Head inland to Italy's food valley. Parma for Parmesan, ham, balsamic vinegar. Direct trains connect La Spezia to Parma.

Example Tuscan Route 4-7 Days

  • La Spezia (base for Cinque Terre/Portovenere)
  • Pisa (day trip/half-day)
  • Florence (3-4 nights for art, history, food)
  • Siena/San Gimignano (day trip or overnight from Florence)
  • This route creates a comprehensive Italian itinerary.
  • A highly logical next step from coastal beauty.

Example Emilia-Romagna Route 2-4 Days

  • La Spezia
  • Parma (1-2 nights for food tours and tastings)
  • Bologna (1-2 nights, culinary capital and historic city)
  • This region is celebrated as Italy's food valley.
  • Famous for Parmesan cheese, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, and tortellini.
  • A varied exploration of Northern and Central Italy.

Considerations for Multi-Day Tours

Transport

Frequent trains connect major cities. Book tickets in advance, especially for high-speed routes.

Accommodation

Book multiple bases for these extensions. Research each city's lodging options.

Planning

Coordinate train schedules and local transport for smooth transitions between regions.

Itinerary Tip

Multi-day extensions offer a dive into Italy's diverse landscapes and cultures.