Hire a boat with or without skipper in La Spezia, Italy

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Renting a Boat in La Spezia

Situated on the western coast of Italy, La Spezia is one of the most underrated destinations in Italy. Home to Italy's largest naval base, the old town is full of beautiful sights and trattorias that showcase the culinary traditions of the region. Because of the popularity of the region, it has become a popular sailing destination as it is the second-largest city in Liguria and is conveniently located near several UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

Once you are in La Spezia, there are a ton of activities that you can do. With boat hire in La Spezia, you will have several possibilities to discover the region and to have an unforgettable holiday with your friends or family. 

How much does it cost to hire a boat in La Spezia?

The cost of renting a boat in La Spezia highly depends on the time of the year. Renting a boat during the high season in the summer from June to August, you can expect to find higher prices than at any other time of the year. If you hire a yacht in La Spezia, expect to pay around 200€/day for a sailboat.

You will find a wider selection of motorboats available in terms of size and price. To surely find the most ideal boat for your holiday it is recommended to plan your activities in advance. Decide how many people and what sorts of activities you wish to do such as water sports or sailing along the coast. You will definitely find the most suitable boat to enjoy your holiday to the max. 

Boat availability in La Spezia

Boat availability and the sailing season in La Spezia match the high season of the rest of Italy. You can expect to find a wide selection of boats available due to the popularity of the area. Even though the sailing conditions are perfect from May up until October, keep in mind that you will find most of the tourists in summer from June to August. If you plan to hire a yacht in La Spezia, we recommend booking a few months in advance. The same goes for renting a motorboat, however, a few weeks in advance will be sufficient to find the most ideal boat for your needs. 

Do I need a licence to hire a yacht in La Spezia?

When it comes to boat hire in La Spezia, there are only a few cases when you need to have a valid boating license. You will definitely need to present your valid license if you hire a sailboat that is more than 6 miles from a shelter. Also, if you rather hire a motor boat, you only need to present your valid boating license if the boat has more than 40hp. Otherwise, if it’s less it is completely acceptable to hire without a license. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have the necessary documents or you don’t have enough experience. There is an option to hire a boat with a skipper, so you can have a relaxing holiday where you don’t need to worry about driving a boat. Additionally, the local skipper will show you around the area and help you discover the secret spots and untouched bays where you can leave the busy city behind your back. 

Overview of La Spezia 

La Spezia is a seaside city in Liguria in northern Italy. The city is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Given the popularity of La Spezia in Italy, it is still unable to host as many tourists as it would like. It is an extremely affordable place for overnight stays if you are on your way to Cinque Terre, making it increasingly attractive to tourists. It has a strong military hold and has played a prominent part in Italian import and export via sea for centuries. La Spezia houses centuries’ worth of historical and cultural harvest, because it is nestled right between Pisa and Genoa, it is in easy access to all the coolest and hip places in Italy, and you can easily hire a boat to Genoa.

If you are planning a sailing holiday in the region of La Spezia, there are a few places that we recommend visiting to have the ultimate best holiday in that part of Italy.  Firstly, La Spezia is considered a gateway to Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is basically a culmination of five seaside villages at the base of terraced hills that fall steeply towards the sea. Cinque Terre is mostly visited by hikers, hiking through the mountains, vineyards, and villages. However, if you are not a hiker you can still enjoy the serene beauty of Cinque Terre. If you are not into hiking, you can explore the area by boat. One can witness the natural coastline of the picturesque city without breaking a sweat.

Guides for tourists are also available who can provide you with a step-by-step of the beautiful coasts. With its deep water harbour, La Spezia can accommodate even the largest cruise liners. Because it is cheaper than its surroundings and completely affordable, whenever visiting it is mandatory for tourists to cruise around the islands and coastal areas, just hire a boat and enjoy the scenery.

Secondly, visit the Isola Palmaria. There is a natural gem hidden in the southern Gulf of La Spezia by the name of Isola Palmaria. The island is a house of a number of caves, and the picturesque beaches are to die for. The beaches are filled with small fishing boats and small restaurants and facilities. The coastline is vivid, and boat tours are the best way to witness the majestic island first-hand. During the summer, ferries are found going to and fro from La Spezia and Lerici to the northern side of the island. Also, this is the perfect spot for yacht charters to Corsica. 

And thirdly, don’t miss out on visiting the town of Lerici. Adjacent to the bay of La Spezia one would find a beautiful coastal town named Lerici. It is one of those majestic places which are mentioned by poets and novelists in the romantic era. Literary artists such as Shelley, Byron, and D. H. Lawrence have mentioned Lerici in their works countless times, and to this date, Lerici acts as a beacon for novice artists who are in a constant search for inspiration.

At a distance of 8km from La Spezia, Lerici can be enjoyed if one would just hire a boat and witness the breathtaking beauty firsthand. It is amazing to see the harbour crowded with hundreds of small fishing boats and fishermen going about their business as usual. Lerici holds the same appeal to the tourists as Cinque Terre but without having to deal with the crowds. If you're interested in going a little further, sail to the French Riviera!

Practical information about sailing in La Spezia

There is no international airport in La Spezia, so the easiest way to reach the city is to go to Genova and take the train. This is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to travel there, as the train has a very frequent schedule during the high season. You can get to La Spezia if you hire a boat in Piombino