We all know and love Italy as one of the best nations for coastal living. It’s been fighting a long war of popularity with Greece for the top spot on the most loved Mediterranean nations. You cannot deny that Italy is blessed with some of the most exquisite waters, and beaches in all of Europe. Coupled with the mentality that villages and towns in the countryside are to be cherished for their love of simple things, there are a few examples of why people from all over the world travel thousands of miles to be here. One of them is La Spezia, a small city of around 93,000. It used to be an incredibly vital port for Italy’s Navy because it’s one of the most northerly parts. Cisalpine Gaul, for example was a tumultuous zone for Italians right up from ancient times to the latter part of the Medieval era. This is why port cities like Sanremo, Savona, Genoa, and La Spezia are situated here. You have access in and out of the northern region of the nation. There’s something special about La Spezia, it’s perhaps a time capsule as it seems to be trapped in another time.

La Spezia is the portal that brings new life to Italy

A Naval saving grace

As the Western Roman Empire was long gone, there needed to be some kind of way to maintain trading routes with the north of Europe. So, in the 1200s, La Spezia became the main port for trade coming from Europe, especially Spain, France, and Portugal. However, we must note that it was mainly used for business and warfare rather than settlements. This only occurred at the very end of the 18th century. It began to slowly lessen its ties with the much larger coastal city that is Genoa. Then it grew and grew to the point that now, multiple generations have a history going back hundreds of years. Thankfully, throughout all the changes that happened in history, the Italian Navy is still using this port. In fact, for those with a sharp eye for geopolitics, one can see that the only other main port is Genoa. Despite other small ports dotted further north and to the west, La Spezia punches far above its own weight. It’s the same size as many other cities that have tiny ports that are not usable for the Navy, yet it has a large portable to anchor battleships and cruisers. It’s now a Naval Base which is in the Gulf of Spezia. Continually, trading, fishing, and warships come in and out of this beautiful little city.

The houses of a pastel palette

Maybe the most iconic thing about La Spezia is the homes that dot the coast. Parco Nazionale Delle Cinque Terre is one of The Most Colorful Places in the World and, is actually the smallest national park in the country with just over 4,300 acres to its name. The homes that are in this park are brightly colored, with a continual pastel palette. It’s a classic Mediterranean look that you see in Spain quite a lot. There are just under 5,000 people that live in this part of the city. You wouldn’t think of it as still part of La Spezia but because the culture of ports and rivieras stretches further than the gulf itself, these homes are part and parcel of the city too. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site as late as 1997, which has been great for its national importance and for its attraction to the tourist industry.

The lush green vegetation here is brilliant for growing the usual Mediterranean vegetables such as tomatoes and oranges. The buildings of prominence here have been handmade using stones from the coastal rocks. There are a few Catholic churches a bit further inland as well as plenty of local restaurants. It’s not quite a pizza place but it does serve stupendous local cuisine that comes from the village culture. Head over to Enoteca Dau Cila where you can find humble home-cooked-style Mediterranean food. Spaghetti with muscles, in a garlic and tomato sauce, is one of my favorites. Trattoria Dal Billy has been a long-established fisherman’s haven where you can get brilliantly seared and grilled fish dishes. However, they also serve freshly baked bread, with local cheese and wine for tea or lunchtime.

Enjoy the people watching

Like all coastal cities, there are plenty of cafes to sit and watch the day go by. It sounds simple, but it’s actually one of the best things to do when you just want to take it slow and be with your loved one and or your thoughts. One of the most loved spots is called the Orange Cafe. Here you can expect typically bullish coffee lovers because when you go with the smaller cafes and or coffee shops you tend to get the real stuff. What is the ‘real stuff’? Well, it’s proper espresso, with very little sugar and only the purest strongest beans that are crushed. To accompany your hotshot, you can get all kinds of traditional Italian pastries. There are some whipped cream assortments but there’s also the very sumptuous cannoli too. There are also some sandwiches you can enjoy such as the mouthwatering buffalo mozzarella, pesto, and sundried tomato ciabatta. There’s also a selection of local and national cheeses, such as provolone, Parmigiano-Reggiano, burrata, and pecorino to name a few. With a grating of freshly ground black pepper, these cheeses are served to customers on a small chopping board with some salad on the side.

La Spezia is special, it’s the name of course in Italy. For centuries it was one of the most important trading ports in all of Europe. However it’s given a new home to the Italian Navy, which is strategically important as the north of the nation is a little short of places to anchor battleships. You can verge further into the city and be met with a plethora of colorful homes where locals enjoy their incredible seafood dishes. You can just sit back and relax at one of the many cafes, sip some strong coffee, and eat fresh cheese as you watch the sun go down.