Car Hire in La Spezia

About La Spezia

La Spezia is the capital and second-largest city of the Liguria region in northwestern Italy. Only Genoa is a bigger city than La Spezia in this region and La Spezia is also a perfect destination because of its location. La Spezia is right on the border between Tuscany and Liguria, so there are endless possibilities if you want to take a road trip through this part of the country. You can either go to Tuscany, where you can experience a completely different Italy than in the Liguria region or you can explore the area around La Spezia. But one thing is for sure, both regions have a lot to offer and you will always find something interesting to see and do in Liguria or Tuscany.

La Spezia is not only a perfect starting point for your trip through Italy but also one of the most important Italian military and commercial ports and an important base of the Italian Navy. But that's not all: La Spezia is also a very popular seaside destination and an important railroad junction.

La Spezia was an important city even in Roman times. This is mainly due to its great location, which offers a fantastic condition for trade and transit. In the past, many different cultures, religions and nations ruled here, but the city always remained an important strategic and later tourist destination. There are many historical, cultural, religious and natural attractions that you should not miss when you are here. La Spezia is also considered part of the Riviera region. The Riviera is the coastal area on the Mediterranean Sea between Cannes and La Spezia. The French part includes part of the Côte d'Azur, while the Italian part west and east of Genoa is known as Riviera di Ponente and Riviera di Levante. This region is undoubtedly one of the most visited among tourists from Italy, France and other parts of the world. Here you can find everything: unspoiled nature, wonderful beaches, beautiful towns and villages, many historical, religious, natural and cultural sites, lively nightlife and, of course, delicious and unique gastronomy. So, if we sum it all up, there is no reason not to stop in La Spezia on a road trip through Italy, or even better, to start your road trip from this charming city. All you have to do is rent a car, buckle up and drive safely! La Spezia and its beautiful surroundings are waiting for you. Make a good plan and explore Liguria and Tuscany region according to your preferences and at your own pace. You will not regret it!

Basic info and car hire in La Spezia

• Location: Liguria region, Italy
• Population: 93,288
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: La Spezia has a borderline humid subtropical climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in La Spezia are in good condition.
• Car hire in La Spezia:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in La Spezia is at La Spezia Downtown. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in La Spezia!

 Driving in La Spezia

Renting a car in La Spezia is the best solution if you want to explore this region properly. You can explore most of the city on foot, so you can leave your car in one of the many parking lots. However, if you want to explore the wider La Spezia area and visit the villages around the city, then you need a car. The roads here are mostly in good condition, so you can explore the surroundings of La Spezia very pleasantly. It is good to know that here you have the perfect opportunity to drive on the Riviera Dei Fiori, one of the best coastal roads in Italy. This 56.7-kilometre long road was built in 241 BC to connect Rome with what is now France. The route starts from Cervo. The entire route is as follows: Cervo - Imperia - San Lorenzo al Mare - Santo Stefano al Mare - Sanremo - Bordighera - Ventimiglia. It is also known as the Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia (SS 1). This is one of the most iconic and famous roads in Italy and beyond and for anyone looking for a perfect place to drive and combine driving with great sightseeing and a perfect vacation destination, this is undoubtedly the place for you. You will enjoy the conditions, the views, the weather, the resorts, the beaches, etc. All you have to do is come to Imperia car rental, buckle up and drive safely.

Traffic in the old town of La Spezia is subject to ZTL regulations. Zona a traffico limitato (ZTL) (literally: traffic restricted zone) is a traffic restricted zone in Italy. There are about 200 regulations enforced with cameras, as well as 100 environmental zones. They help protect historic city centres from excessive traffic that would otherwise make the city less attractive.

If you need to enter the ZTL in La Spezia contact:

Servizio Mobilità

Pizza Europa n.1

19124 la Spezia

Tel.: 0187.7271

Fax 0187.727900

email: traffico.comune.laspezia@legalmail.it

It is good to know that the police in Italy are very strict. So make sure you follow all the rules and obey all the traffic signs on the road. Above all, stick to the speed limits because there are many speed checks and you can get a fine even if you are not a resident. But of course, it is good to keep to the speed limits and other rules, not only because of the police but also for your safety and the safety of other road users

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from La Spezia

When you are in La Spezia, you have the perfect opportunity to take some great day trips. There are so many options here that you need to come here with a good plan if you want to visit all the places that interest you. Near La Spezia, for example, are the Cinque Terre, a world-famous stretch of coastline known for its fantastic landscapes and iconic villages like Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare.

This region is known as the Italian Riviera and there are many destinations near La Spezia that are worth visiting. The best thing about exploring the area around La Spezia is that the roads here are in really good condition and you will not only visit great places but also have a lot of fun driving. For example, you can visit Sanremo, which is best known for its festival of Italian singing. But it is also a fantastic destination in other ways, with many historical, cultural and religious sites that you can visit. You could also take a day trip to Nice. This iconic city is a destination you should not miss if you are near France. And if you are in La Spezia, you are definitely near France, so you should also plan a day trip to this fantastic country with some iconic cities worth exploring.

What to see in La Spezia

There is so much to see and do here in La Spezia and the Liguria and Tuscany region that you need to make a good plan before visiting this city and region. Here are some suggestions of what you can see and do in La Spezia:

One of the places you should visit in La Spezia is the Waterfront. For example, there is the Passeggiata Costantino Morin, where you can walk among trees and admire the harbour and other fantastic landscapes. Some various artificial bays and canals have been created and offer great views. The best thing to do is just come to the waterfront and start exploring, you will be amazed at how many things you can see and do here.

There are also several museums you should visit in La Spezia, for example the Marine Technical Museum, the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia, the Museo Del Sigillo, the Museo Diocesano Della Spezia...

When in La Spezia, you should also visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 15th century and one of the most important and visited religious objects in La Spezia. Other churches worth visiting are the Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Neve, Cattedrale di Cristo Re, Santuario Della Madonna Dell'Olmo, Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Salute...

One of the most important landmarks of the city is undoubtedly the Castle of San Giorgio. This castle was built in the 13th century and was part of the city's fortification network. Inside the castle, you can visit the archaeological museum with many artefacts from the Liguria region and also from other parts of the country.

Other destinations not to be missed during a visit to La Spezia:

Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere, Isola Palmaria, Parco Giardini Pubblici, Ponte Thaon di Revel, Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco-Emiliano...

Drive your rental car beyond La Spezia

La Spezia is the capital of the Liguria region, where there are many famous and beautiful resorts. Besides many tourist destinations, there are also many smaller towns and villages where you can experience the traditional Italian way of life. The Liguria region borders France and Tuscany, which makes it even more famous. This means that if you rent a car here in Imperia, you can explore the whole region or even extend your vacation to France or Tuscany. It's up to you what kind of vacation you prefer, but one thing is for sure: you will have fun no matter which direction you choose.

But there are so many other regions in Italy that are worth exploring. For example, if you have decided to stay in the Umbria region and take a road trip through it, one of the activities you should put on your wish list is undoubtedly truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside, you will find many experts searching for these "black diamonds". Besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals. The Marmore Waterfalls are another sight not to be missed on your trip to Umbria. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region. For people who prefer a more active vacation, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the river Nera, biking in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course you must see. It is considered one of the most iconic cities in the world and is certainly the most talked-about city in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this trunk-like country, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your lifetime.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in La Spezia

In La Spezia, you can enjoy wonderful Italian gastronomy at its best. The cuisine here is closely linked to the climate and almost all the ingredients used in the cuisine come from the region. The main ingredients are garlic, olive oil. Fish and other seafood, wheat, pasta, chestnuts, chicken, vegetables, French fries and cheese.

Among the most famous dishes that come from this area are undoubtedly pesto sauce (basil), pandolce genovese, focaccia, branzino al verde, cannolini in brodo, carciofi in imbrogliata, crepes al pesto, cuculli, focaccia salata.

Combine this with delicious Italian wine and you have a perfect gastronomic experience.

Best restaurant in La Spezia

La Pianta 310

Antica Osteria dei Camalli

Ristorante Roma

La Taverna del Metallo

Ristorante Petronilla

La Carabaccia Osteria e Cucina