La Spezia 
(Florence/ Pisa/ Cinque Terre)

​

💡La Spezia (Florence/ Pisa/ Cinque Terre):

Good to Know

​

🛂 Visa: Most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days

​

✈️ Closest Airport: Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR)

 

💬 Language: Italian but English is widely spoken

 

🏷️ Price Level: It is said that Italy is about 30% cheaper than the US

 

🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Italy US$ 6.00

 

💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)

 

☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best months to visit are May, June, September and October

​

🚘 Transportation: City buses, trams, and taxis 

​

🔌 Adapter: Italy uses type C and L plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US

​

🛜 WiFi: Widely available; for Florence, “Firenze WiFi" is a free, government-provided public WiFi service that can be accessed for free for two hours daily; for Pisa, the city offers a free, publicly available Wi-Fi service called "Wi-Pi". 

​

🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city

​

💸 Tipping: Service is often included in restaurant bills, but it’s polite to round up or leave a few euros for good service. Tipping in cafes or taxis is optional.

​

🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Largo Michele Fiorillo, 19124 La Spezia SP, Italy (docked)

 

 

✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around

 

🏙️ La Spezia is located about 93 miles (150 km) from the city center of Florence and about 47 miles (75 km) from Pisa.

​

🎟️ In La Spezia, paying for public transport can be done using a few different methods: contactless payment with credit cards, debit cards, smartphones, or smartwatches, purchasing tickets from vendors or on board buses, or using the ATC La Spezia app.

 

In Florence, tickets cost €1.70 and must be purchased before boarding a tram or bus. You can buy them using cash or card at ticket machines located at each stop, through the “AT Bus” app, or at any “Tabaccheria” shop in Florence. All tickets—whether paper or digital—must be activated or validated upon boarding. Paper tickets should be inserted into the yellow validation machines found inside the tram near each door, while digital tickets must be activated directly within the app. Each ticket is valid for 90 minutes from the time of activation.

 

In Pisa, you can pay for public transportation using contactless payment methods like credit/debit cards, smartphones, or wearables on buses and trams. You can also purchase traditional paper tickets from various locations or through the Autolinee Toscane app. 

 

✈️ Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR) is located around 71 miles (115 km) east of Livorno and can be reached by local bus line 3 to La Spezia Centrale (20min, 1.50 EUR), train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station (100min, 15-35 EUR depending on train and advanced booking) and finally tram line T2 from Alamanni-Stazione (direct abject to Santa Maria Novella station) to the airport (20min, 2 EUR).

 

🚇 To travel from La Spezia to Florence, take the local bus line 3 to La Spezia Centrale (20min, 1.50 EUR), train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, which is the main station in Florence (100min, 15-35 EUR depending on  train and advanced booking). The entire trip typically takes 2 to 3 hours and is both scenic and straightforward. 

 

To get from La Spezia to Pisa city center, take the local bus line 3 to La Spezia Centrale (20min, 1.50 EUR). From there, take a direct regional train to Pisa Centrale, which is the city’s main train station. The train ride typically takes 50 to 70 minutes and costs around 8-12 EUR with departures roughly every 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Pisa Centrale, the city center is just a 15-minute walk away. The total journey from the port to the city center usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

 

🚌  The Hop-on Hop-off buses from City Sightseeing Florence offer two lines that connect the main sights city sights; more info can be found here.

 

 

⭐️ Top Sights in La Spezia & Cinque Terre &

Florence & Pisa​

"La Spezia was already a popular tourist destination in the early 19th century."

​

📸 Castello San Giorgio: Castello San Giorgio, located in La Spezia, Italy, is a historical fortress with origins dating back to the 13th century. Initially built as a palatial residence by Niccolò Fieschi, it was later incorporated into the city's fortifications by the Genoese. Today, the castle houses an archaeological museum showcasing the history of the region.

​

📸 Museo Tecnico Navale: The Technical Naval Museum (Museo Tecnico Navale) in La Spezia, Italy, is a naval museum primarily focused on the Italian Navy. It's located at the main entrance of the Naval Arsenal and showcases the history of the Italian Navy, particularly its special forces. 

 

​

📸 Cinque Terre: Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising five picturesque villages on the Italian Riviera: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Known for its rugged coastline, colorful buildings, and hiking trails connecting the villages, it's a popular destination for both nature lovers and those seeking charming Italian scenery. 

Getting around Cinque Terre in one day is possible, with the train being the most efficient way to see all five villages. The Cinque Terre Express train offers frequent service between the villages, making it easy to hop between Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Hiking between some villages is also an option, though it can be strenuous. 

There are public ferry boats running between the five villages. Boats usually run between April 1 and October 31 but it also depends on the weather and sea conditions. In case of bad weather, boat service may be suspended any time. The boats run between Monterosso and La Spezia in both directions and stop in every village except Corniglia, as it does not have a harbor. 

 

​

Florence is a city rich in history and art, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, it boasts stunning architecture, including the iconic Duomo with its terracotta-tiled dome designed by Brunelleschi. Florence is home to world-renowned museums like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s David. With its charming cobblestone streets, vibrant markets, and exceptional cuisine, Florence offers a captivating blend of culture, beauty, and tradition.

​

📸 Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore): The Duomo, officially the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is Florence's magnificent cathedral, renowned for its impressive dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Construction began in 1296, and the dome was completed in 1436. It's a masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, notable for its polychrome marble facade and its sheer size. The Duomo is a symbol of Florence and a major tourist attraction, alongside its bell tower and baptistery. 

​

📸 Uffizi Gallery: The Uffizi Gallery, located in Florence, is a world-renowned art museum, particularly famous for its collection of Renaissance art. Originally designed as offices for the Medici family, it became a public museum in the 18th century. The gallery houses masterpieces by artists like Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. 

 

📸 Ponte Vecchio: The Ponte Vecchio is a historic bridge in Florence, famous for its unique construction with shops built along its length. It's one of the oldest segmental arch bridges in the world, dating back to 1345. The bridge is renowned for its shops, originally occupied by butchers but now primarily housing jewelers and art dealers. It's also known for the Vasari Corridor, a secret passageway built for the Medici family.

​

📸 Galleria dell’Accademia: The Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence is an art museum, best known for housing Michelangelo's David. It also holds a significant collection of paintings by Florentine artists, primarily from the 1300-1600 period. The museum was initially established in 1784 as a teaching facility for the Academy of Fine Arts. 

​

📸 Piazza della Signoria: Piazza della Signoria is Florence's main square, a historic gathering place and the center of civic power. It's known for its impressive collection of statues, including a copy of Michelangelo's David and the Fountain of Neptune, and is surrounded by significant buildings like Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. The square has been a focal point for Florentine life since the 13th century, hosting both public events and daily social gatherings. 

 

📸 Basilica di Santa Croce: The Basilica di Santa Croce, located in Florence, is the largest Franciscan church in the world and is known as the "Pantheon of Italian Glories" due to its numerous tombs of famous Italians. It's a major example of Italian Gothic architecture and houses works by renowned artists like Giotto and Donatello. Construction began in 1294, and it's notable for its tombs of historical figures such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. 

 

​

Pisa, Italy, is a historic city best known for its iconic Leaning Tower, a remarkable example of medieval engineering gone awry. Located in the Tuscany region, Pisa offers more than just its famous tilt—it features a wealth of Romanesque architecture, especially in the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli, where the tower, cathedral, and baptistery create a striking ensemble. Once a powerful maritime republic, the city still reflects its rich past through charming streets, vibrant student life centered around its university, and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere along the Arno River.

​

📸 Piazza dei Miracoli: Piazza dei Miracoli, also known as the Square of Miracles, is a walled, 8.87-hectare (21.9-acre) area in Pisa, Italy, famous for its stunning religious architecture. It houses four major religious edifices: the Pisa Cathedral, the Pisa Baptistery, the Leaning Tower (bell tower), and the Camposanto Monumentale (cemetery). The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major center of medieval art. 

​

📸 Orto Botanico: The Orto Botanico di Pisa, founded in 1543, is the world's first university botanical garden, established by Luca Ghini. Located in the heart of Pisa, it's a three-hectare oasis featuring plants from around the globe, including medicinal plants, aquatic plants, and ancient trees.

​

📸 Santa Maria della Spina: Santa Maria della Spina is a small, exquisite church in Pisa, Italy, renowned for its stunning Pisan Gothic architecture and intricate facade. Originally built in the 13th century and known as Santa Maria di Pontenovo, it was renamed after acquiring a relic of a thorn from Christ's crown in 1333. The church is a prominent example of Pisan Gothic style, featuring white marble and decorative elements.

 

 

🍽️😋 Regional Specialties

​

Tuscan food is known for its simplicity and focus on fresh, high-quality, seasonal ingredients. It's often described as "cucina povera" or "poor cooking," reflecting the region's historical reliance on utilizing limited resources to create delicious and flavorful dishes. 

​

🍽️ Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, or Florentine steak, is a thick-cut T-bone steak traditionally grilled to rare, featuring a crispy exterior and a juicy, red interior. Originating in Florence, Italy, it's a simple dish, often featuring only salt, pepper, and olive oil as seasonings. The cut typically comes from Chianina cattle and is known for its size and thickness, often weighing several pounds. 

​

🍽️ Crostini Toscani: Crostini Toscani is a classic Tuscan appetizer (antipasto) featuring toasted slices of hearty bread topped with a creamy chicken liver pâté.  

​

🍽️ Pappa al Pomodoro: Pappa al Pomodoro is a hearty and rustic Italian soup originating from Tuscany. Its name translates to "tomato mush" or "tomato pap," referring to its thick, porridge-like consistency achieved by simmering stale bread in a tomato and vegetable broth. It's a classic example of "cucina povera," Italian peasant cooking that transforms simple ingredients into flavorful meals. 

​

🍽️ Ribollita: Ribollita is a traditional Tuscan soup with roots in Italian peasant cuisine. Its name literally means "reboiled", because the soup was traditionally made by reheating leftover vegetable and bean soup (often minestrone) from the previous day, and adding stale bread to thicken it. 

 

🍽️ Lampredotto: Lampredotto is a traditional Florentine street food made from the abomasum (fourth stomach) of a cow. It's slow-cooked in a flavorful broth, then typically served in a crusty bread roll with various sauces like salsa verde or salsa rossa. The dish is known for its tender texture and ability to absorb the flavors of the broth and sauces.

 

🍽️ Panzanella: Panzanella is a classic Italian summer salad, traditionally originating from the regions of Tuscany and Umbria. It's a simple, rustic dish that makes use of stale bread, transforming it into a flavorful and satisfying meal.  

 

🍽️ Cacciucco: Cacciucco is a traditional Italian fish stew originating from the coastal region of Tuscany. It's a hearty dish made with various seafood like octopus, squid, mussels, and fish, simmered in a rich tomato broth infused with garlic, sage, and chili pepper. The dish is traditionally served over toasted bread, often rubbed with garlic. 

 

🥤Aperol Spritz: An Aperol Spritz is a refreshing Italian cocktail combining Aperol (an orange-flavored liqueur), Prosecco (a sparkling wine), and soda water, garnished with an orange slice. It's often described as "an Italian sunset in a glass" and is known for its light and bittersweet taste.

​

​

📍🗺️  Maps, Apps & Links

 

🌐 Florence Public Transport Maps 

🌐 Florence Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour

🌐 Florence Free Walking Tour I

🌐 Florence Free Walking Tour II

🌐 Pisa Free Walking Tour 

 

🚕 Uber 

🚕 AppTaxi