La Spezia Market Experience
We travel for food. In fact we often wonder why we didn’t start a food blog instead.
There are not many experiences that delight us more during our adventures than meeting the locals and interacting with them in their local environments.
And the most local places in any small town are always the market squares.
When we booked to stay in La Spezia we were planning on just using it for access to the Cinque Terre hiking trails as it is only 7 minutes away by train from La Spezia to Riomaggiore. Plus it’s a lot cheaper to stay in if you want to save a little bit of money.
However we were stoked to find that there is a HUGE local market in La Spezia held every day selling everything from local handmade goods to fresh fruit and seafood. Ideal for us food lovers.
The key to getting the best experience from markets is to act like a local. With our reusable bags in hand we might have looked the part but our limited Italian and cameras dangling around our necks surely gave us away. Luckily ever time we approached a seller we were greeted with cheek splitting grins, a friendly “Ciao” and free samples to try.
Freshly picked cherries that were sweeter than any we have ever tasted before were just one of the treats popped into our bags.
Locally produced cheeses and mouthwatering dried meats for our sandwiches were sliced up with hand gestures from us to indicate that we wanted more or less.
In our excitement we would often pick fruit and veges at random. However, every time we would hand our chosen veges over, the stall owners would quickly exchange them for ones that they deemed a little fresher or riper with a wry smile.
The locals even dropped extra bits and pieces in after we had paid to make sure we had enough to last us for the day.
Reaching the end of the market stalls we turned around with our bags overflowing and smiles plastered on our faces and slowly wandered back through. Hands were raised from the stall keepers in gestures of goodbye and we promised to return again every day during our stay in La Spezia.
Where to stay in La Spezia? Affiticamere Tre Fre
We recommend staying at Affiticamere Tre Fre for all adventurers as we loved it when we were on our way to hike Cinque Terre. We just wish we could have stayed longer!
Location
Affiticamere Tre Fre is located just 2 minutes walk from the main train station. The harbour, local markets, Castle and local train station are all within 5 – 10 minutes walk. A perfect location to base yourself for Cinque Terre.
The Rooms
The rooms are brand spanking new and designed like hotels. Each has a private bathroom with decent air-conditioning and mini-fridges.
Other Amenities
On check-in each guest is provided with a free voucher for use at one of the local cafes in town for breakfast. It’s only for a croissant and coffee but they open early so you can get a good start on the day.
Free WiFi is also available in all the rooms.
Staff
We only saw the owner, who was extremely lovely, when we checked in. So while we have no complaints, we don’t have a lot to say either.
Social Atmosphere
There was no social atmosphere at all but considering its a B&B rather than a hostel then this was expected as there is no common areas.
Cost
$80 Euro for a private room.
Overall
We were pleasantly surprised with La Spezia and Affiticamere Tre Fre. As we were there to explore Cinque Terre we only stayed one night either side of our hiking adventure but really wished we had decided to stay longer. We would recommend that for anyone headed to Cinque Terre then stay here as it is a lot cheaper than the five villages and easily accessible by train from early in the morning until late at night.
We just wish our La Spezia accommodation had a kitchen so we could have cooked up some of the seafood pulled straight off the boats in to the market stalls.
Disclaimer: We were guests of HostelWorld but as always our thoughts are always our own.
Category: Europe
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We love all types of adventures that make us step outside our comfort zone, in comfort, including surfing, skiing, snowboarding, diving and cruising on our bikes. You can find out more 
I love checking out the local food when I travel. However, I have to admit I don’t travel for food. It’s not one of the top reasons I travel. However, I still love to try the local dishes and go to the markets. It’s a great way to meet locals.
As Jeremy says, checking out the local food is one of the highlights of any adventure.. even if it’s not always kind on the waistline. Still.. it can always be explored off
My parents and I stayed in la Spezia during our Cinque Terre visit a few years ago. It really is a cool, kind of unassuming town. I had forgotten about the market area. Well not forgotten, just kind of let it slip around my mind. This idea of having an open air market in a place that rains so much isn’t so smart, so they covered it, which is pretty cool. We didn’t eat there, as we were out seeing stuff, but it was wonderful to wander through.
Those cherries look incredibly delicious!
Mmmmm cheeeese
I love local markets….and as you say, always the best place to get the best deals.
Ok, it’s early, I haven’t had my coffee, just rolled out of bed and now I’m starving and absolutely dying for some fresh parma. Thanks =P
This sounds like a great town. I’ve heard a lot about it from Andy from when he was there a few years ago with his parents, so I’m sure it won’t take too much convincing to get him back there someday. And I will definitely be checking out the market!
You’re making me miss Italian food so much! Please stop writing such delicious stories!!
Ahh I LOVE local markets, too – I always make a bee-line to check them out and am rarely disappointed! Fresh ingredients and if you go with a smile and a good attitude, they’ll likely chuck in a little extra. Thanks for sharing – and I’m drooling over those cherries…
Big local markets are the best! When we were in Cinque Terre we ate a lot of artisan bread with cheese and fresh tomatoes. Sooo goooood….
I love to visit markets! Whenever I get to a new place, I seek them out.
I so much agree with you with what you write at the beginning of your post!! I too love to eat and make it a point to sample local delicacies!!
Lovely photos, food in Liguria is delicious
It’s cool to read a blog post about a place that is so familiar. My dad is from La Spezia and, as a child, I was lucky enough to spend most of my Summers there with my grandparents. I went to this market with my grandmother countless of times, following her from one stall to the other and helping her with the bags. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure, thanks for bringing it back for me.
Hope you got a chance to eat farinata at “Pia – La Centenaria”. If you didn’t, it’s enough of a reason to go back. Trust me.
Oriana recently posted..Once upon a time in Umbria
Oh man we didn’t get to try farinata! Definitely going back now
So glad we helped you relive a little bit of your past.
Markets are one of the things I love most about traveling! I wish America had markets like this!
Alexandra recently posted..Star Noodle: Where to Eat on Maui Like a Local
So many places in other countries outside of Europe are slowly starting to re-embrace the local markets. We love trying to live like locals. Just wish we knew more of the local languages.
I adore Cinque Terre! And of course, who could not love the fresh food in Italy. Great tip about where to stay, as accommodation can be so expensive there!
Cheryl recently posted..Cafe Popularna in Szczecin, Poland.
La Spezia was really handy for Cinque Terre and highly recommend it next time you visit Cheryl. Thanks
Please may you let me know where this market was in La Spezia? We are going next week & it looks like it is well worth the trip!
Thank you
Hey Sam,
Thanks for dropping by. Definitely check out the markets. The closest address I could come up with is: Corso Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour
19121 La Spezia SP, Italy. Put that in Google and you can’t miss it. Let us know how it goes.
Thanks
Cole
Thanks so much for the help! I am loving reading your blog
Great tips! I’m sorry I missed La Spezia when I was in Cinque Terre. It would have made for a fabulous picnic along the trail.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..ECO NEWS: New U.S. Fuel Efficiency Standards (Plus 30 Other Obama Accomplishments)
Visiting markets is always such a great way to get in touch with local products. Thanks for your extensive article.
Travelwriticus recently posted..Mosaic at Kärntnerstrasse 16, Vienna
No problem
Always happy to share our experiences when trying to live like a local!