La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour
Taste pesto and fried seafood with six artisanal tastings across four authentic local stops
Transform the winding streets of La Spezia into an open-air dining room during this Cinque Terre food tour. Your journey begins in the heart of the city, where you will sample chickpea pancakes and salty local focaccia. Next, sit down for a plate of traditional silk-textured pasta before heading to the harbor to taste the daily catch of local fishermen and savor fried anchovies. This small group tour offers the ultimate introduction to the diverse and rustic flavors of the Gulf of Poets.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert English-speaking local guide
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Four food stops
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Six artisanal tastings
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Local wine or beer
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Fresh seafood and pasta tastings
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Sea-to-table, the Ligurian way
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide at Piazza Garibaldi
Your tour begins at the big fountain in Piazza Garibaldi, where you’ll meet up with a local foodie guide. It is a lively spot to kick off the afternoon before diving into the city's historic backstreets. -
2
Grab a slice of farinata on Via del Prione
Next, you’ll head to a legendary local hangout to try farinata. It's a savory, smoky chickpea pancake baked in massive copper ovens. This crispy street food is a total classic that locals have loved for generations. -
3
Snack on fresh focaccia at a neighborhood bakery
Then, follow your guide to the best bakery in town for a piece of Ligurian focaccia. This soft, salty bread is dripping with local olive oil and is the go-to snack for anyone living on the coast. -
4
Sit down for pesto and pasta at a local favorite
You’ll move on to a cozy, tucked-away restaurant to try testaroli or panigacci. These rustic pasta dishes are served with fresh pesto or creamy walnut sauce, giving you a real taste of authentic home cooking. -
5
Savor a crispy seafood mix by the harbor
By now, the sea breeze leads the group toward the water for the daily catch. You’ll enjoy a traditional paper cone overflowing with hot, fried anchovies and squid, served just as the local fishermen eat them. -
6
Your tour finishes at Corso Cavour
The day wraps up with a scoop of artisan gelato or a traditional dessert at a nearby pastry shop. You’ll finish on Corso Cavour with a full stomach and plenty of local tips for the rest of your trip.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, as some restaurants include stairs.
Dietary Restrictions: Please contact us in advance with any special dietary restrictions or allergies, so we can do our best to accommodate you. For safety reasons, guests with severe or life-threatening food allergies are unfortunately unable to participate in this experience.
Alcohol Consumption: This tour includes local wine; participants should be of legal drinking age in Italy (18). Please bring a government-issued ID if you plan to partake.
Please Note: Please be aware that the guide may speak both in English and Italian during the tour
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time.
Your 3.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
At least four food stops
Six artisanal tastings
At least one alcoholic drink
Bottled water
Guided walk through city markets
Maximum group size of 12
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Comfortable shoes
Camera
Water bottle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this tour is a family-friendly activity and strollers are allowed. Children usually love the focaccia and gelato stops, and the walking pace is kept manageable for all ages.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This experience involves walking through the historic center and some restaurants have small steps. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, so please consider your comfort with a 3.5-hour walking pace.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Please reach out in advance with any allergies or restrictions. While many dishes can be adjusted, this tour is unfortunately not suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies.
Does the tour run in the rain?
The tour operates in most weather conditions as many of the tasting stops are located indoors. We recommend bringing an umbrella or light jacket if the forecast looks unsettled.





