Port guide · Italy
The gateway to the Cinque Terre. It's about 20 minutes' walk from the pier to the station, and about ten minutes by train to the first village: five colourful clifftop villages you can explore stop by stop.
Ships berth at the La Spezia terminal, in the centre; La Spezia Centrale station is about 20 minutes' walk away, and some ships run a shuttle. The Cinque Terre Card Treno gives unlimited travel that day on regional trains between La Spezia and Levanto.
Time: About 30 min to the first villageApprox. price: Card Treno, €22–35 per person per day
Sold at the National Park desks in the station or online; the price depends on the day
Time: Approx. 1 h to the first villageApprox. price: Depends on the operator
In season; see the villages from the sea; cancelled in bad weather
In high season trains are packed: expect waits and start back at least an hour and a half before all-aboard time.
Route 1
With the Card Treno, start at Riomaggiore, the closest to La Spezia, and pick three or four villages, an hour in each.
Walk to La Spezia Centrale and buy the Card Treno
Riomaggiore
The village closest to La Spezia
Manarola
The classic photo is taken from the path north of the village
Vernazza
With its tiny harbour and castle; for many, the prettiest
Monterosso
The only one with a big beach
Train back to La Spezia
Route 2
The colourful fishing village across the gulf, with the church of San Pietro on the headland: as pretty as the Cinque Terre and much quieter. Boats run in summer; an organised tour is the easiest way.
Want it easy? Join an official MSC shore excursion, timed around the port call. If you booked your cruise with VIAJES FH, ask your advisor to add it for you.
Search MSC cruises calling at La Spezia with VIAJES FH, with live prices.
Search cruisesYour advisor can add shore excursions, drinks packages and onboard internet.
Contact an advisor
Transport and ticket prices are approximate, checked in November 2026, and may change. The latest all-aboard time is the one announced on board.
Cover photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0