Genoa to LaSperzia

Suzanne, if your ship stops in Genoa, take the train south from there down to one of the five Cinque Terre villages like Riomaggiore (the one furthest south) to Monterosso (the one furthest north). La Spezia (south of Riomaggore) is in the region but not one of the five villages and not one most tourists ever visit. I've been to the Cinque Terre four times, and I've never done more than change trains there.

Holy Buckets! Thank you very much

You'll actually get to La Spezia quicker if you wait for the 8:53 IC train from Piazza Principe station. Might cost a little more, but it is direct and only makes 4 stops along the way. The earlier train is a regional train that makes every single stop and requires you to change trains at Sestri Levante.

La Spezia is an industrial port city and is not one of the CT villages. When you arrive there, buy the CT card which is essentially a day pass for the CT trains and hiking trails. Then take the train from village to village. Then buy your return ticket to Genoa from Monterosso. Expect high crowds.

I noticed that many in this forum say that the Cinque Terre are north of La Spezia and south of Genoa.

Although technically it is more correct to say that the Cinque Terre are North-West of La Spezia and South-East of Genoa, however Italians refer to La Spezia as being to the East and Genoa is to the West of CT. This might be due to the fact that the area of Liguria between Genoa and La Spezia is known as Riviera di Levante (Eastern Riviera), while the area between Genoa and Ventimiglia is known as Riviera di Ponente (Western Riviera).

In the Italians' nomenclature, there is no North or South when they talk about Liguria, there is only East and West.

Roberto, no matter what Italians think, it's a true statement that Genoa is north of La Spezia. Is it not? Have you checked a map? I don't think Suzanne is planning to spend a lot of time chatting with the locals about the technical details of geography - she seems more interested now in trying to figure out which villages to visit. I was just trying to explain where the towns are relative to each other, not give a lesson on local geography from an Italian standpoint.

Soooooooooooooo, how about we just recommend that Suzanne go from Genoa to the furthest point, which would be La Spezia, and then work her way to the closest point, which would be Monterosso, before returning to Genoa. No more splitting hairs on compass durections needed.

Correct! But I do like knowing how the locals feel. Lol. Thank you everyone!!!!

it's a true statement that Genoa is north of La Spezia. Is it not?

It is NOT!
It is North-West of La Spezia.

I pilot would get lost with those directions and end up in Piacenza.

We went to La Spezia many years ago, stayed there, and liked it.
We took the train to the Cinque Terre villages each day from there.
It has a lovely promenade walkway along the harbour/water area with lots of greenery and places to sit and take in the day.
At least, it did then!