Best day trips from La Spezia to the surrounding hills

Many travelers using La Spezia as a Cinque Terre base miss the breathtaking hill territories just inland, where medieval villages cling to terraced slopes and vineyards stretch to the horizon. Over 60% of day-trippers crowd the coastal paths, unaware that the surrounding hills offer cooler temperatures, authentic trattorias, and panoramic views without the shoulder-to-shoulder summer crowds. The challenge lies in navigating winding mountain roads, deciphering limited bus schedules, or choosing between dozens of seemingly similar villages. This disconnect leaves visitors torn between the safety of familiar coastal destinations and the longing for undiscovered Italy. Those who venture inland discover a world where time moves slower, where €10 buys a multi-course farmhouse lunch, and where every turn reveals another postcard-worthy vista untouched by mass tourism.

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Navigating the maze of hill villages – which are worth your time?

The Ligurian hills surrounding La Spezia hide over twenty historic villages, but three stand out for their accessibility and authentic charm. Biassa serves as the quiet backdoor to Riomaggiore, with a steep but rewarding 90-minute hike through vineyards that locals use to bypass the coastal crowds. Montemarcello offers a completely different perspective, perched on a ridge where you can simultaneously see the Apuan Alps and the Gulf of Poets. For those seeking living history, the walled village of Vezzano Ligure still holds medieval festivals in its ancient square every summer. The key is matching villages to your mobility level – while some like Biassa have direct bus connections, others require a mix of trains and local taxis. Early risers gain the advantage of golden morning light over the terraced landscapes and beat the midday heat that can make uphill walks challenging.

The transportation puzzle – solving hill access without a car

Public transport to La Spezia's hill villages operates on a logic that baffles many visitors – buses may run hourly or just three times daily, with cryptic schedules only posted at the central bus terminal. The ATC line 19 to Biassa and Campiglia departs from Piazza Chiodo, while SITA buses serve eastern villages like Vezzano from the main train station. Savvy travelers use the Trenitalia app to check regional trains to lesser-known stops like Vezzano's station, which sits 2km below the village (a scenic walk or quick taxi ride away). For maximum flexibility, the 'Tigullio Bike' sharing system offers e-bikes capable of handling the hills, with pickup points near La Spezia Centrale. Those wanting to visit multiple villages in one day should note the 'Cinque Terre Trekking Bus' that loops through higher-altitude trails on weekends from April to October, connecting hiking routes rather than town centers.

Hillside feasts – where to eat like a local without tourist prices

The terraced slopes above La Spezia produce some of Liguria's finest olive oil and DOC wines, best sampled at family-run agriturismos requiring advance reservation. At Trattoria dal Billy in Montemarcello, the testarolo pasta – a local specialty cooked on terracotta tiles – comes with views stretching to Portovenere. Budget-conscious travelers target village sagras (food festivals), where €15 might buy unlimited tastings of wild boar stew and chestnut flour desserts. In Vezzano Ligure, Panificio Rosi bakes farinata (chickpea flatbread) in a wood-fired oven that's been operating since 1882 – arrive before noon when locals pick up their daily portion. An insider's trick: look for restaurants with 'Cucina Casalinga' (home cooking) signs rather than 'Turistico' labels, and don't be surprised if menus appear only in Italian – this often indicates better quality and lower prices.

Secret trails and viewpoints even guidebooks miss

Beyond the well-trodden paths to Cinque Terre, the hills conceal ancient mule tracks and wartime resistance routes now perfect for peaceful hiking. The Sentiero dei Santuari connects five hilltop sanctuaries with minimal elevation gain, passing through chestnut forests where foragers gather porcini in autumn. For photographers, the abandoned village of Pugliola offers crumbling stone houses framed by the sea below – accessible via a 40-minute walk from the Biassa bus stop. Hardcore hikers tackle the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri stages, where refuges serve hearty minestrone to those traversing the ridge lines. A little-known fact: many trails have dual numbering systems (CAI red-white marks and local council signs), so downloading the Liguria Trekking app prevents confusion at junctions. These routes reveal why Ligurians call their hills 'the real Cinque Terre' – where silence is broken only by church bells and the clinking of vineyard workers' tools.