What to do in La Spezia and its surroundings?
The Ligurian city and its surrounding area are rich in places to visit, views to admire, and activities to enjoy.
The rich artistic and cultural heritage and fabulous views offer numerous opportunities for recreation and learning to visitors of all ages.
Furthermore, Palazzo Sant'Agostino's central and strategic location offers numerous opportunities: the hotel is on Via Calatafimi, from where you can quickly reach numerous destinations or explore the coast by boat.
What to do and see in La Spezia and its surroundings on holiday
Palazzo Sant'Agostino's convenient location allows you to quickly reach places to visit on foot:
The port: for many years one of Italy's main commercial ports, it is one of the city's focal points, located within the Gulf of Poets and developed starting in the 19th century;
Thaon de Revel Bridge: connects the Morin promenade to the Mirabello port via a structure over 150 meters long;
Seafront: a promenade that extends along the entire area where ships dock;
The Public Gardens: an area filled with benches and trees located between the waterfront and the historic center. Renowned for their great botanical variety, they were built in 1825 and expanded during the same century. Within the gardens, we can also admire the monument to Garibaldi, a large equestrian statue from the second half of the 19th century;
Naval Museum and Navy Arsenal: the one in La Spezia is one of only three Italian arsenals (the others are in Augusta and Taranto). It was built to a design by Cavour in 1857. Next door is the Naval Technical Museum, one of the most visited museums in the city: it houses models of naval vessels and numerous figureheads dating back to the 15th century;
Corso Cavour and Via del Prione: these are the two most important streets for local strolling in the historic center. Both are lined with shops and lead to the public gardens;
The buildings of the historic center and Palazzo Oldoini: In the historic center, we can admire numerous Art Nouveau buildings with richly decorated facades. Among the many noble palaces, Palazzo Oldoini, also known as the Palazzo dei Nobili, stands out;
Church of Santa Maria Assunta: In the historic center, in Piazza Giulio Beverini, we can admire a church dating back to 1271;
Museum of the Seal and Library of Art History and Archaeology: Housed in the Palazzina delle Arti, it houses approximately 12,000 volumes, pieces that include seals dating from the 4th millennium BC to more recent times;
Lia Museum: Located in the spaces of the convent of San Francesco da Paola, it was inaugurated in 1996 and boasts numerous works acquired by the collector Amedeo Lia over the course of his life;
San Giorgio Castle: On the city hills, we visit a structure built in the 13th century by expanding a pre-existing fortress. Inside, we find the archaeological collection of the Ubaldo Formentini Museum;
The Cathedral: The Cathedral of Christ the King was built in the second half of the 20th century. It has a circular structure, with a large churchyard and an interior where we can admire the 18th-century wooden Crucifix, the Deposition of Christ by Angiolo Del Santo, the Carrara marble altar by Lia Godano, and the Baptistery and chapter choir by Cesare Galeazzi.
Things to do in and around La Spezia
Leaving the city center, we have the opportunity to admire numerous scenic and cultural beauties:
Portovenere: one of the 13 villages of the Gulf of Poets, nestled between land and sea. A must-see destination, rich in history, food and wine culture, entertainment, and dream beaches. The Church of San Pietro is worth a visit;
Lerici: the small town overlooking the sea is dominated by the Castle of San Giorgio. A particularly evocative place, with many beaches and beautiful villas, where Dante, Shelley, Virginia Wolff, Dickens, and Byron stayed;
The Cinque Terre: Just minutes from La Spezia lies Riomaggiore, the easternmost of the five villages. Along with Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare forms an area rich in breathtaking landscapes, with numerous spectacular terraces supported by 6,729 km of dry stone walls.
Val di Vara and Val di Magra: Here, we can visit the most secret and characteristic villages of the Ligurian hinterland, such as Pignone, Varese Ligure, Vezzano, and Brugnato.
Sarzana: The town is particularly known for its cultural events, markets, exhibitions, festivals, and concerts. The medieval fortifications, including the Sarzanello Fortress and the Firmafede Fortress, are impressive.
Vezzano Ligure: Straddling the Val di Magra and the Gulf of Poets, this village enjoys an elevated position, commanding breathtaking views. It is divided into Vezzano Alta and Vezzano Basso and boasts a valley rich in olive groves and vineyards;
Arcola: The village boasts a medieval layout typical of Ligurian defensive villages. With cobbled streets, the 11th-century Obertenghi Castle, the Baroque Church of San Nicolò, and the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora degli Angeli, it's home.
What to do in and around La Spezia?
Read our tips and stay at Palazzo Sant'Agostino.
