The accommodations are cheaper in La Spezia than if you were to stay in Cinque Terre, and the roads are a lot easier to navigate with luggage! La Spezia makes a great home base for your northern Italy / Cinque Terre adventures!

Yes, staying in La Spezia is widely considered the "smart move" for visiting the Cinque Terre in 2026, especially for budget-conscious or logistically minded travelers. While La Spezia itself is a naval port city and lacks the "postcard" charm of the five villages, it offers significant advantages. Hotels and Airbnbs in La Spezia are often half the price of those in Vernazza or Rio Maggiore. Furthermore, La Spezia is the primary transit hub; the "Cinque Terre Express" train runs every 15–20 minutes in 2026, reaching the first village (Riomaggiore) in just 7 minutes. Staying here allows you to avoid dragging heavy luggage up the hundreds of steep stairs found in the villages. It also provides access to a "real" Italian city with better supermarkets, diverse restaurants, and a lively late-night scene. For 2026 travelers, La Spezia serves as a perfect base camp, allowing for easy day trips to the villages while providing a much more comfortable and affordable place to sleep.