La Spezia Cruise Port
La Spezia, Italy · Mediterranean
Cruise ships dock at Calata Paita — Stazione Marittima, La Spezia.
Plan my port daysWalk to the train station in 10-15 minutes; the Cinque Terre Express runs every 15-30 minutes and reaches Riomaggiore in just 8 minutes.
Central cruise terminal in La Spezia with walk-off access to the city and quick trains to Cinque Terre and Pisa.
At a glance
Port summary
La Spezia is one of the most independent-traveller-friendly ports in the Mediterranean. The Stazione Marittima sits at Calata Paita, a short walk from Via del Prione and the central train station, from which Trenitalia and the regional Cinque Terre Express reach Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso in 5-25 minutes. Ferries from the inner harbour also serve Portovenere and Lerici.
Cruise docks
🚢 Calata Paita — Stazione Marittima
The main cruise berth at La Spezia. The Stazione Marittima terminal building sits directly on this quay; the city centre and train station are a 10-15 minute walk away.
📍 Latitude: 44.10672, Longitude: 9.832044
See dock on port map →🚢 Molo Garibaldi
Alternate cruise berth for larger ships, about 700 m south of the Stazione Marittima. Cruise shuttles bridge the gap into Piazza Europa when this berth is used.
📍 Latitude: 44.104944, Longitude: 9.839039
See dock on port map →Getting to La Spezia
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Via del Prione (the pedestrian high street) is 8-10 minutes on foot; La Spezia Centrale train station is 15 minutes.
📍 Exit Stazione Marittima onto Viale San Bartolomeo and follow the waterfront north into Passeggiata Morin.
Cinque Terre Express runs every 15-30 minutes; the Cinque Terre Card includes unlimited train rides between Levanto and La Spezia.
📍 Walk or take the cruise shuttle/taxi to La Spezia Centrale; Cinque Terre Express platform signs are in English.
Most lines run a paid shuttle to Piazza Europa or the train station — handy if you don't want to walk, but not essential.
📍 Cruise shuttles board outside the Stazione Marittima when offered by your line.
ATC city buses link the port with Lerici and Portovenere; useful if ferries are not running or you prefer overland.
📍 ATC bus stops outside the terminal area on Viale San Bartolomeo and along the waterfront.
Metered fares; quick to the train station or city centre. Surcharges apply on Sundays and at night.
📍 Taxi rank immediately outside the Stazione Marittima.
Seasonal ferries to Portovenere, Lerici and the Cinque Terre villages run roughly hourly between April and October.
📍 Consorzio Marittimo Turistico Golfo dei Poeti ticket booths at Banchina Revel, a short walk from the terminal.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards are fine almost everywhere; keep €20-30 in small notes for village bars and the occasional small restaurant.
Things to do
Castello Doria
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Genoese fortress on the tip of Portovenere with views to Palmaria island.
🕐 Late afternoon
Vernazza
⭐ Highlight
Cinque Terre's most photogenic village with a natural harbour and castle ruins.
🕐 Early morning or after 4pm
Piazza dei Miracoli
⭐ Highlight
UNESCO square in Pisa with the Leaning Tower, Duomo, Baptistery and Camposanto.
🕐 Morning to avoid afternoon crowds
Riomaggiore
⭐ Highlight
Cinque Terre village closest to La Spezia, with pastel houses tumbling to the harbour.
🕐 Morning before crowds arrive
Castello di Lerici
Short stop⭐ Highlight
13th-century pentagonal castle on Lerici's headland with a small paleontology museum.
🕐 Morning
Castello San Giorgio
Short stop⭐ Highlight
13th-century fortress above La Spezia housing the Amedeo Lia archaeology museum.
🕐 Late morning
Via del Prione
Short stop🚶 Walk
La Spezia's lively pedestrian spine — boutiques, gelaterias and the daily passeggiata.
🕐 Late morning or evening
Passeggiata Morin
Short stop🚶 Walk
Palm-lined waterfront promenade running between the terminal and the city centre.
🕐 Anytime; especially golden hour
Monterosso al Mare
🏖️ Beach
Largest Cinque Terre village with the only sandy beach and a flatter old town.
🕐 Morning before tour groups arrive
Chiesa di San Pietro
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
Black-and-white striped Gothic church on the rocks at Portovenere headland.
🕐 Late afternoon for golden light
Museo Tecnico Navale
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Italian Navy's historic ship-model collection in La Spezia's arsenal district.
🕐 Morning
Manarola
📸 Viewpoint
Pastel houses tumbling to a rocky cove — the postcard Cinque Terre view.
🕐 Late afternoon for golden light
Sentiero Azzurro
🌿 Nature
Coastal trail linking the five villages with sea views — sections close after rain.
🕐 Morning, in dry weather
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Plan my port days →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in La Spezia?
- Your ship docks directly at the La Spezia cruise terminal in Italy.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into La Spezia?
- Yes. La Spezia is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to La Spezia centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Train, Shuttle bus, Local bus, Taxi, Ferry. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in La Spezia?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see La Spezia independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in La Spezia and are cards accepted?
- La Spezia uses the Euro. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the La Spezia cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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