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, La Spezia is widely considered the best practical base for exploring the Cinque Terre, especially for travelers on a budget or those who prefer modern conveniences. While it is not one of the "five famous towns," it is a bustling port city located just a 7-minute train ride from the first village, Riomaggiore. The primary advantage of staying in La Spezia in 2026 is accessibility and value; hotels and Airbnbs here are significantly cheaper than those in the cramped, vertical villages of the Cinque Terre. Additionally, La Spezia's "Centrale" train station is a major hub, making it easy to arrive from Florence, Rome, or Milan without multiple transfers. The city offers a wide array of full-sized supermarkets, diverse dining options that aren't just "tourist menus," and a vibrant evening "passeggiata" along the palm-lined harbor. While you miss the experience of waking up to a cliffside sea view, you gain the ability to escape the intense tourist crowds at the end of the day. For those planning to use the Cinque Terre Express train, La Spezia is the most logical "starting point" for a multi-day exploration of the Italian Riviera.