As someone who never thinks of a museum as a 'quick visit,' the Naval Technical Museum in La Spezia was a full-on treasure trove. This place is an extraordinary deep-dive (pun fully intended) into Italy’s naval history and La Spezia’s identity as a maritime powerhouse. One of the absolute highlights? The authentic figureheads. These aren’t replicas—these are weathered, carved relics pulled from the prows of historic ships, each one with its own personality, mythology, and story etched into the wood. Some noble, some fierce, some downright haunting. To see them up close, their paint faded by time and salt, was genuinely moving. You feel the human hands that shaped them and the oceans they’ve sailed. The museum also features an impressive display of naval engineering—from antique diving suits and torpedoes to intricate ship models and navigation tools. The craftsmanship is astounding, and the attention to detail in the exhibits is exactly what you'd hope for. Uniforms, flags, ceremonial objects—it all adds up to a layered, immersive experience that rewards curiosity at every turn. And don’t skip the outdoor section! The open-air displays include full-scale anchors, artillery pieces, and other large-scale artifacts that give weight (literally and figuratively) to the museum's scope. It’s a great extension of the exhibits inside and offers a moment to reflect on everything you've seen while still being surrounded by history. If you’re in La Spezia—even just passing through—you’d be doing yourself a disservice by missing this museum. It’s not just for naval buffs; it’s for anyone who values history, craft, and the stories that ride the waves of time. I walked out inspired, impressed, and already planning my next visit.

Great little Maritime Museum. A lot is in English, but definitely not all. You can get the general drift. Lots of neat artifacts, the upstairs room is full of antique figurehead. Definitely worth a stop if you are in this great town.

If you are a naval or marine lover - this is a place for you! Otherwise is a good place to visit with even overwhelming number of things to see. You will find a exhibitions with naval arms, torpedos or port history. At the end you will find a great exhibition of ship statues (called “polene”). The museum is a bit old fashioned but worth visiting also with kids. It would be great if there would be a possibility to visit a shipyard nearby :).

This museum is fantastic, I recommend for everyone who wants some local history.

If you visiting during the week there shouldn’t be any queue. The museum where empty, so I could feed like it’s open just for me and my family. Lots of interesting facts form the history. Ships models are breath taking. Highly recommended.

Great museum with and excellent potential. But I reduced one star because many of the expanats are not described and presented well for a visitors. I suggest to add more English explanations and labels, provide audio guides and maintain well objects in the garden. The staff were extremely polite and friendly. We're bit surprised that the Italian WW2 history in this museum is presented like something gorgeous and his raids against the UK Marin forces shown as a feat. I suppose it should be more regret.

No signs that display that you can not enter the premises. Just a mad civil man that shouts and bangs on the sign that says military area. Should be better signs so that people don't go inside the area without permission. The museum is sure great, was not there.

For some fabulous views over La Spazia, the Castello San Giorgio is definitely worth a visit. We paid for both the Castello and the museum within ( which was only a small amount more) just to support the venue. The museum is not a major element of the visit. To our surprise, as we were there for an hour, there wasn't another single visitor to be seen. I suspect most had crowded into boats and trains to visit the hellishly packed villages of Cinque Terra. The views alone are worth the visit. If you are put off by a potential long climb, just follow the main sign through the town. These will lead you first to an elevator, and then to a small funicular. Leaving your energy to climb within the castle itself. If its is always quiet this is a good place to shake off the mass of day tourists! We enjoyed it and recommend it.

Visited the castle today, 26th September. Very interesting exhibits & information. It was also a superb panoramic view from the highest viewing point. It's well worth a visit. And only €5 entrance.

Perched above La Spezia, this 13th-century fortress is a must-see. Built to defend the city, it now houses archaeological gems and offers sweeping views of the harbor below. Bonus points for the lovely staff who’ll happily guard your shopping bags while you explore. History, hospitality, and hilltop charm, all in one.

It costs 6 euro for entry, and in my opinion, not really expensive for what you get. The drawback is that all descriptions are in Italian. On the bright side, it was not packed so you'll get to enjoy the visit at your own comfort.

The museum host several ancient artefacts from the surrounding area. The information about the artefacts can be seen in the leaflet that they will give you at the entrace. It also has a very nice view in the upper terrace! If youre a student, the reduced ticket cost €4. Id say its worth the climb from la sepzia centrale haha

An ok castle. Most of the rooms there are a musuem so you barely feel like it's a Roman castle that you walk around in. All the exhibits are in Italian, whichakes for a poor experience (most are not visually impressive too, so without Google translate for non Italian speakers it's not a very good experience). You can buy a ticket only for the terrance and skip the musuem, which might be a good idea to save 2 euros from each ticket, though the views from the top are, just like the castle, are just OK :)

October 2024: 4€ for just the terraces, 6€ for the terraces plus museum. Worth the visit for the great views alone. Lots of interesting artifacts inside as well. Not crowded, so a great break from busy sites. Has a clean WC. We used the 2 elevators to get up to the main entrance (one vertical, one slanted like a funicular).

Interesting artefacts on display. However, very little information was given about these artefacts and if so written in convoluted English hard to engage with. The information cards appeared disorganised and didn’t make it clear which arti fact they relating to. There were no audio guides which could have been helpful. For families or children it was very hard to engage with and considering how many tourists visit La Spezia because of cinque terre I think this is a huge opportunity missed by the museum. This could be such a lovely museum with more creative imagination.

Unusual collection. Lighting need to be improved on ground floor or maybe it's my old age. Enjoyed the Pieter Bruegel paintings.

I had an amazing experience at the Museo Lia in La Spezia during the exhibition "L'arte di viaggiare." Our English tour guide, Tara, was exceptional—she did an incredible job guiding us through the artwork, providing detailed insights and background on selected pieces. As someone with very little art history expertise, I appreciated how approachable and informative the tour was. Tara's passion for art really came through, making the 45-minute tour engaging and enjoyable. The exhibition itself was beautifully curated and offered a fascinating perspective on the Grand Tour of Italy. Highly recommend!

Beautiful Renaissance collection nicely completed with 17th and 18th century work from all over Europe. Friendly staff and tour. The toilets however are to be avoided: light doesn't work and cleaning is not up to level.

Going into this museum, I thought that I would see yet another art gallery. However, I was simply amazed by the number of exhibits, as well as how breathtaking most of the works were. The staff were also very friendly.

Small collection with a few interesting miniatures and paintings. Temporary Exhibition of a single painting is the highlight. Overall, museum is of marginal interest, and little attendance. The organization leaves a lot to be desired: unbelievably the staff doesn't speak anything but Italian, not do they care to be of any assistance. The bookstore is a joke, without prices, so to have to take each article to the cashier and wait for a price, etc. Better experiences await outside.

What a wonderful museum that was worth every penny. The range of collections was amazing. There were beautiful texts on the ground floor, amazing artwork, lovely statues plus some incredible glass pieces and some other items. It was the highlight of my stay in La Spezia.

(Translated by Google) Definitely a beautiful church, but it should be kept better. Chandeliers to be cleaned, light points to be replaced and audio during the religious function to be improved. You can't understand what the parish priest is saying. Good cleanliness and good distancing inside. There are several frescoes and a very large altarpiece overlooking the entrance. Absolutely worth seeing, preferably with a guide. (Original) Sicuramente una bellissima chiesa, ma andrebbe tenuta meglio. Lampadari da pulire, punti luce da sostituire ed audio durante la funzione religiosa da migliorare. Non si riesce a capire ciò che il parroco sta' dicendo. Pulizia buona e buon distanziamento all'interno. Si trovano diversi affreschi ed una pala molto grande che sovrasta l'entrata. Assolutamente da vedere, meglio se con una guida.

(Translated by Google) The Abbey Church of Santa Maria Assunta is an important Catholic place of worship in La Spezia, formerly a pro-cathedral from 1929 to 1975, located in the historic city center, in Piazza Giulio Beverini. Although there are no records or documents attesting to the year of its foundation (perhaps 1271), the history of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is closely tied to the history of the city of La Spezia. Simone Boccanegra, the building, was the seat of the Podesteria (formerly Carpena) in 1343, with a vicariate over much of the Riviera di Levante. (Original) La chiesa abbaziale di Santa Maria Assunta è un importante luogo di culto cattolico della Spezia, già procattedrale dal 1929 al 1975, che sorge nel centro storico cittadino, in piazza Giulio Beverini. Pur non esistendo dati o documenti che attestino l'anno della sua fondazione (forse il 1271), la storia della chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta è strettamente legata alla storia della città della Spezia. Alla data in cui l'edificio Simone Boccanegra, nell'anno 1343 sede della Podesteria (generatasi da quella di Carpena) con vicariato su buona parte della riviera di Levante.

(Translated by Google) The church of Santa Maria Assunta is located in the historic center of La Spezia. The building was built in the 15th century but, due to the bombings it suffered during the Second World War, it was rebuilt (as we see it today) in the second half of the 20th century. The exterior is in neo-Romanesque style. The interior is in neo-Renaissance style. The valuable features of the church are: - The glazed terracotta Ancona by Andrea della Robbia - works by local artists. Free admission. (Original) La chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta si trova nel centro storico di La Spezia. La costruzione è sorta nel XV secolo ma, a causa dei bombardamenti che subì durante la seconda guerra mondiale, venne ricostruita (come la vediamo oggi) nella seconda metà del XX secolo. L'esterno è in stile neoromanico. L'interno è in stile neorinascimentale. Le caratteristiche di pregio della chiesa sono: - L'Ancona in terracotta invetriata di Andrea della Robbia - opere di artisti locali. Ingresso: libero.

(Translated by Google) The church is very large and well furnished in early twentieth century style. Some valuable icons. The marble altar is beautiful. However, it is difficult to find ideal areas for meditation. (Original) La chiesa è molto ampia e ben arredata in stile primo novecento. Pregevoli alcune icone. Bello l'altare in marmo. Si stenta pero a trovarvi zone ideali per il raccoglimento.

(Translated by Google) I was here at mass. The church is old. I especially liked the lighting, it directly gives the atmosphere of antiquity. (Original) Була тут на месі. Церква стара. Мені особливо сподобалося освітлення, воно прямо придає атмосферу стародавності.

(Translated by Google) Friendly but nothing more (Original) Sympathique mais sans plus

(Translated by Google) Beautiful church in the center, very simple and linear. There are some valuable works of art including a majolica from the Della Robbia school. She was pro cathedral before the city cathedral was built. Perpetual adoration takes place in the back chapel. (Original) Bella chiesa in centro, molto semplice e lineare. Ci sono alcune opere d'arte di pregio tra cui una maiolica della scuola di Della Robbia. È stata pro cattedrale prima della costruzione della cattedrale cittadina. Nella cappella sul retro si svolge l'adorazione perpetua.

The location and view were stunning, but high price means less food. The presentation was great, taste was great, service was great, portion was child size. I'm not really into the tire maker reviews, as it's evident they don't keep up with and then remove the rating for those who don't retain the high standards. We found some of the smaller family owned and operated restaurants throughout Italy, with no national rating are much better. Ask a local merchants where they eat, and take the advice, as most are affordable and authentic.

This restaurant deserves every award out there! We visited Rio Bistro twice, and both experiences were absolutely amazing. The owner is incredibly welcoming. Even on a busy night, he managed to find us a table. And the food… oh my goodness, the food was outstanding! Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The service was excellent, and the cozy, inviting atmosphere made us feel right at home. And let’s not forget the stunning views — truly the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable meal. I honestly can’t wait to go back and indulge in that incredible food again!

My wife and I had a great meal. The food was amazing and we will def be back. We were celebrating our honey moon in Italy. The owner was very nice and gave us some champagne to celebrate ! Thank you again !!!

GREAT little dinner following our sunset wine cruise. Superb setting. Amiable & helpful staff. Freshest & most delicious meal! Was totally crazy for the nigh-microscopic shrimp in the frito misto. Like nothing else I've ever had! We'd go back in a heartbeat.

It was the best meal I had in Italy - all the expected food and service quality expected from a Michelin restaurant, but without the formality and stiffness. Manuel and Lice gave us a formidable service that made everything even better. The restaurant was so good that the view was a plus, not the main attraction.

A truly wonderful experience! The place is absolutely beautiful with an incredible view that makes the meal even more enjoyable. The dishes are delicious, with unique flavors that really stand out. Special mention for the tartare, which was simply excellent.

Unfortunately, this restaurant did not live up to my expectations, although not entirely. 1) The manager was very polite and even found a place for us on the veranda without a reservation. 2) When choosing dishes, none of the staff offered help or recommendations. They only asked how long to wait. 3) When ordering, the waiter did not ask about allergies, which was very disappointing. 4) My lady asked the waiter if it was allowed to smoke electronic devices on the veranda. At first, the waiter answered that he did not know and he needed to clarify, and then he simply forgot about the question and the girl had to find out herself a second time. In the end, the answer was rude: do not disturb the guests — although no one was going to do anything bad. 5) The service fee is high for the level of service we received. On the other hand, the presence of this fee completely excludes tips. 6) The dishes were delicious. We tried: battered squid (regular meat and batter, tasty onions, interesting dragee sauce), vegetable lasagna (the decision to cook this dish without meat seemed crazy), scalpi (cooked deliciously). In total if you come to Riomaggiore I recommend you to look around and find another interesting place for the dishes.

Delicious food and atmosphere in general. I had a risotto di mare and it was tasty although wasn’t the specialty of the house. My friends had pizza and calzone and they were more than satisfied with the portion and quality of the food.

It's a friendly trattoria with good prices and tasty food. My partner said the frutti de mara spaghetti was the best...and has taken brushing his teeth off his plans for the evening so he can savour the flavour. The pizza was great too. Honestly the tiramisu was not to my liking and I'd skip it next time. Big portions; great value for money. Inside and outside seating. Menus in English Most staff spoke English Total bill: Frutti de marathon Pizza Tiramisu 2 x chinotto Frizantte €40.50

A cozy spot at the heart of the city, which offers authentic Italian pizza, with a nice atmosphere. I ate there and stayed in their lovely hostel. Affordable prices and wide dish options—perfect for a Cinque Terre trip, and it is within 10 10-minute walk of the train station. For more finds, check out @triathlontrips on Instagram and Facebook.

Great Food,Great People I rate this as the Number 1 place to eat in La Spezia. They have more than just Pizzas. They also have different style of pizzas and they have Pinsa were you chose you type of dough. We have had 4 different meal here while staying in La Spezia and they were a 10 out 10. Recommend this to all.

The pizza and pasta are excellent. The prices are really cheap. I am coeliac and they have home made gluten free pizza and pasta. All the sauces and toppings are gluten free too. They also have gluten free beer. It was the best pizza we have eaten in Italy! My family had regular pizza and that was the best they have eaten too. Well worth a visit and worth every penny.

The pizza here was actually good. Unfortunately, the service didn’t always match the quality of the food. On more than one occasion, staff seemed to prioritize local customers over tourists. For example, we had to wait while several other tables received menus before us. The organization at the entrance is also confusing: there is no host to guide you, and waiters are not easy to find. One evening we sat at a free table and only after five minutes were told it was “reserved.” There was no clear sign — just a small, scribbled note in Italian placed awkwardly on the side, which could easily be mistaken for a forgotten scrap of paper. On another visit, a waiter appeared visibly upset about not receiving an additional tip, even though service is already included in the menu price. That left a rather unpleasant impression. Overall: good pizza, but the service and customer experience could use improvement.

Great quality food on a very affordable price. The serving is quite fast and the waiters are really friendly. We spent two nights in La Spezia and went there on both occasions. I highly recommend this place to everyone who visits the city.

Finally a good place in cinque terre that knows how to cook fish properly in cinque terre. The chef definately spent a good amount of time trying different combination of the ingredients, the meal was very balanced. Fresh and high quality olive oil makes such a great difference with good bread. I had the Cipolla in 4 cotture, spuma di patate, aglio nero e liquirzia. Onion was cooked to fine caramelization, earthy flavor and very mild spices to compliment the onion sweetness, and on top of that is the potato foam that mixes everything together. Very hearty. Plate was cleaned up with bread. I enjoyed my dinner, but if I go again and have more time I would try the chef's menu.

Fuori Rotta ended up being one of our favorite meals in Cinque Terre. The food is thoughtful, refined, and clearly made for diners who appreciate real craft—not just tourists passing through. The onion appetizer was the standout dish of the night: surprising, complex, and incredibly well executed. The venison ravioli was rich and beautifully balanced, and both mains—the fish and the chicken—were cooked perfectly with clean, focused flavors. Service was warm, the setting relaxed but elevated, and the whole experience felt genuinely memorable. Highly recommend.

A nice place with an amazing view and very good food, (if you’re very hungry, maybe go somewhere else.) Davide knows his wines! I definitely recommend to come here! Tip make a reservation.

We had two fabulous dinners here during our recent stay in Riomaggiore. They have a great wine list and the food was fantastic. They also have the best view! They are up the hill so you are aware from all the crowds.

This is hands down the best restaurant in Riomaggiore. It’s absolutely baffling to see a 4.2 star overall review. This is the only fine dining experience you’ll get in town and it is fantastic. Amazing gluten free options.

A Hidden Gem with Inventive Cuisine and Thoughtful Pairings This unassuming restaurant was a delightful surprise tucked among more tourist-driven options. The tasting menu was creative, flavorful, and well-paced, with thoughtful wine pairings curated by Davide, the owner and sommelier. His passion for introducing diners to orange wines and regional specialties like Apote and Sciacchetrà added depth to the experience. The meal opened with a trio of amuse-bouches: fish on a puffed cracker, a delicate potato croquette, and a tomato soup with croutons reduction. A standout early course was the braised pork neck with cherry-port compote — savory, tender, and perfectly balanced with sweet, jammy notes. It was easily the dish of the night. Next came fusilli with red and green vegetable purées, likely peppers and tomatoes, unexpectedly topped with sour cream. It was seasoned with Mediterranean spices and paired beautifully with the first orange wine. A brief power outage mid-meal didn’t disrupt the service; the staff remained gracious, offering extra pours while we waited. The main course was a vegetable Wellington, similar to ratatouille in puff pastry. It was good, though not as exciting as the earlier courses. Dessert was a chocolate mousse with pistachio and hazelnut crumble, punctuated by apricot sauce. The final “thank you” bites — almond, chocolate hazelnut, and meringue cookies — echoed the opening amuse and ended the meal with charm. An excellent and surprisingly refined dinner. Highly recommended for those looking to experience creative cooking and warm, knowledgeable hospitality in Riomaggiore

Not only the food is fantastic, the attention to the detail from the staff and great local wines! Would definitely recommend, this was our favourite meal in Cinque Terre. I wish we had known on the first day to go back more times.

What a wonderfull surprise! We came here because our hotel told use we had to give a try. And we did. As far as i am concerned, it would deserve a michelin star. At least. Everything is perfect. Staff, food, winelist, i might come back to la Spezia just for this restaurant

The location is superb, the pool is clean and well organized. With 30 euros you can stay all day long with umbrella, siege and light lunch.

Amazing high quality meals. We were pleasantly surprised when they found some fries for my girls - despite saying they didn’t have any initially. Highly recommended.

The pool looks amazing but unfortunately despite numerous enquires, when we arrived it was closed. Website indicates open until September. We arrived on 12th September to find it closed and unable to use it.

inexpensive drinks, nice place, inattentive waiters

OUTSTANDING food, and EXCEPTIONAL staff! The chef came out to greet us. We had the grilled branzino with grilled prawns and langastino, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Large windows looking out over the water. I would go back to La Spezia just to eat there again.

The best restaurant in La Spezia without a doubt. Location, ambience, food quality and menù are all impeccable. You are getting much more than what you pay.

The best classical Foccacia we have ever tried❤️ Everyone behind the counter was amazing, and Andrea was so helpful and helped us choose the things to try. We enjoyed everything we tried and will definitely come back the next time we come to La Spezia.

We've been here during our vacation in La Spezia and had the opportunity to taste both salty and sweet products All great, some very unusual ( as an example focaccia with mussels and focaccia with pine nuts and walnuts) Done with love, you can feel it, and the lady at the desk is super kind. Also very reasonably priced. Don't miss this place.

One of the best bakeries we visited on our entire Italy trip. Everything was absolutely delicious. The pine nut and raisin foccacia was one of the best things I have ever tasted. The lovely woman behind the counter was incredibly kind and suggested the chocolate chip foccacia (which tasted like chocolate chip pancakes!). This is a must stop for anyone in the La Spezia area. Super quick and easy walk from the train station as well.

Nice selection of pastries from mini pizzas to foraccia with onion. Just get a bunch of small ones to snack on and you’ve got your perfect breakfast! Ended up eating so fast I forgot to take photos!

Excellent quality for a fair price, and very friendly staff. Don't miss it!

Good bakery. found it my accident with my wife and loved it

Really tasty and so cheap