How to plan a rainy day in La Spezia with kids

Rainy days in La Spezia can quickly turn a family vacation stressful when you're unprepared. Over 60% of parents report abandoning sightseeing plans due to bad weather, often wasting precious vacation time scrambling for alternatives. The narrow streets of this Ligurian port city become slick with rain, while outdoor attractions like the Cinque Terre trails turn impractical. Kids grow restless, and the temptation to retreat to your hotel grows strong. But La Spezia holds hidden gems perfect for weathering storms – you just need local knowledge to find them. From maritime adventures to hands-on science museums, the city offers rich indoor experiences most visitors overlook when the sun disappears.

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Transform into explorers at the Technical Naval Museum

The Museo Tecnico Navale solves two rainy-day problems: it's completely indoors and captivates kids with interactive exhibits. Unlike crowded city museums, this naval haven lets children touch real submarine periscopes, operate signal lamps, and marvel at centuries-old ship models. The museum's collection spans maritime history from Roman galleys to modern aircraft carriers, with bilingual descriptions making it accessible for international families. Pro tip: arrive right at opening to join the free guided tour (10:30am daily), where retired sailors share thrilling sea stories that bring the exhibits to life. Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the modest €5 admission, and the spacious halls prevent that claustrophobic feeling common in smaller museums during bad weather.

Spark creativity at the CAMeC contemporary art center

Many dismiss modern art museums as too abstract for children, but CAMeC's rotating workshops prove otherwise. Their weekend bambini program (reservations recommended) transforms art appreciation into hands-on fun, with projects like creating Ligurian landscape collages from recycled materials. The bright, open galleries feel energizing on gloomy days, and the museum's café serves hot chocolate with whimsical foam art that kids love. For families with teens, the digital art installations provide perfect Instagram moments. Local insight: visit between 2-4pm when school groups have left and the space becomes more relaxed. While general admission is free, the €8 workshop fee includes all materials and lets children take home their masterpieces – a meaningful souvenir compared to typical tourist trinkets.

Warm up with hands-on pasta making at a local sfoglia

Rainy afternoons offer the perfect opportunity to learn Liguria's culinary secrets from local nonnas. Several family-run sfoglie (pasta workshops) near La Spezia's historic center welcome children to roll trofie pasta the traditional way. These intimate experiences typically last two hours – just enough time to escape the heaviest rains while creating edible souvenirs. The best part? You'll enjoy your handmade pasta with Genovese pesto afterward. Insider advice: book the earliest morning session when kids are freshest, and request a table by the fireplace at older establishments like Antica Sfoglia for maximum coziness. While walk-ins are sometimes possible, reservations ensure you won't face disappointment when other rain-bound travelers have the same idea.

Discover underwater wonders without getting wet at Acquario Spezia

When the Cinque Terre's sea becomes too rough for boat tours, this compact aquarium brings the Mediterranean to you. The star attraction – a touch tank filled with harmless rays and starfish – provides sensory excitement for younger children, while older kids marvel at the bioluminescent jellyfish display. Unlike larger aquariums that require hours of walking, Acquario Spezia's clever layout packs educational punch into a manageable 90-minute visit. Money-saving tip: combine your ticket with the nearby Ethnographic Museum for a 30% discount, creating a diverse indoor itinerary. The aquarium's location near the cruise terminal makes it easy to reach between showers, and the staff's engaging feeding demonstrations (11am and 3pm daily) turn biological education into captivating theater.