La Spezia Travel Forum

In September my wife and I are going to a weeding in Portovenere. My plan is to fly to Pisa, take the train to La Spezia and then to Portovenere. How do you get form La Spezia to Portovenere? I have heard it is either bus or Taxi. I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas. Thank you, Al and Jody

Yep. La Spezia is at the center of the bay, while Portovenere is out at the end of one arm of the bay (see http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?pan=s&ovi=1&mapdata=23WHkT2xHFBzUEfj6Al5h%2f2E3ICc4hkqII1tqF4fEgNDo07FX4jgTIkVi5KezyQylTwq98qtld4lqdb8w%2fW0LVGh88JkSArzLctNw7i1PqSMa2BDk4JKHnFNUWxWG8ke9Ysy%2bNL8PGQXrVxZHmjMTz7MuYBWx8uW6WCTJhb4fGsWLu4sCCxdnFBSTAEvb02Vf7wzL73aC9QelzXbPq22SO4a6dtPnc2tn%2fpYr6kKudXtr6NtJuzFFvpK2x5Xcebt42nTTH%2b1CTU7VOO3Qs3fYhSN0BcDYmTy3GhYWBjWoO92rXifDPbo9DMFabEhQtO32vR3O423khg%3d
for a sample, but I guess you already know this).

There is one road that runs out from La Spezia to Portovenere. There is a bus that runs the route - see http://www.ipcf.cnr.it/plasma_accelerators/howtoreach.html for someone's description of how to get from the La Spezia train station to Portovenere. If you're up on your Italian, see http://www.atclaspezia.it/ for the official site of the local bus company (by the way 11/P is still the correct bus to take).

The distance is about 9 miles, but will take up to 30 minutes even by taxi, because the road is narrow and slow. However, depending on how much luggage you have, a taxi might be much more convenient. Ask for the estimated price up front - I wouldn't be shocked if you were charged twice the meter rate, because the taxi's not likely to get a return fare in Portovenere. I would refer you to La Spezia Taxi's website, but it looks like someone hacked into it...ooops...

Portovenere is a lovely place - we stayed at the Grand Hotel a couple of years ago off season, and had the town to ourselves...

Bill

The bus P to Portovenere does not run from the station. You will have to walk about 10 min to the junction of Viale Garibaldi/ Corso Cavour. Depends how much luggage you have... Bus tickets must be bought in advance at almost any newsstand, tobacco shops and some bars. If the day is sunny, the bus could be packed with beachgoers all the way to Portovenere.

Thanks for all the good advice. This really helps. What do you think the cost is by cab. We will have luggage and it just may be the best thing to take a cab. What will it be like finding peope who speak English? We do not know Italian. Again thanks for the advice. Al and Jody.

I don't know what the cab fare will be (we drove), but communicating shouldn't be a problem. All you should need to say is "Portovenere" and "(the name of your hotel)". It's not like there are that many places in Portovenere for the cabby to figure it out. Also, unless you're staying at the Grand Hotel, the cabby may not be able to drive all the way to your hotel - the original city is mostly off-limits to cars. The road from La Spezia enters the town, then turns right around and leaves by way of the coast line. It won't be a terribly long walk, but do consider how well your luggage can be carried/rolls on cobblestones.

Oh, I see that the La Spezia Taxi site has been rebuilt from its hack attack - see http://www.radiotaxilaspezia.it/index.htm. Unfortunately for you, it's all in Italian.

It doesn't say what the fare is to Portovenere (the one way rate is about 1.11 euros per kilometer, if that helps), but you can email them by clicking on "Posta" on the left hand side on their website - maybe they will understand your request in English. Oh, I just checked www.mapquest.com, and the distance is about 15 kilometers, and they estimate that it is a 35 minute ride, which is about right.

OK?

Bill

Cab from La Spezia to Portovenere cost about 30 Euros. Also from Pisa Airport the train goes to Pisa Centrale and then you change train to La Spezia.
From Pisa centrale to SP cost 6/7 euros and about 1 hour.

Hi. If you have many time to spend and the day is fine you can behave in this way & u don't have so much luggage!!
Take a bus from La Spezia Station to Lerici (20 min - 1,5 Euro) than took a boat to Portovenere (I think about 12 euro each), It's really lovely!!
Otherwise took any bus from central station to the harbour (Viale Italia), just on the see leave the ferry to portovenere (20 min) it would be nice also and cheaper than a taxi!!
It's true that don't sucks to take a taxi directly to Portovenere but the street is really narrow and tortuous!

Bye Maks