Your stay — Costello
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for La Spezia.
The Property — Costello
Costello is a no-nonsense 3-star in central La Spezia, a short walk from the train station and the main shopping streets. The lobby is compact and functional, with a small desk, a few chairs, and a lift – think clean, beige practicality rather than any design flourish. It suits travellers who need a reliable base for a night or two before catching the ferry to the Cinque Terre, or those on a tight budget who prioritise location over character.
Chronicles of La Spezia
La Spezia grew from a small fishing village into a major naval port after the Kingdom of Italy established its arsenal here in the 1860s. The city’s layout was largely rebuilt in the 19th and early 20th centuries, giving it a grid of broad streets and Liberty-style palazzi rather than medieval lanes. Its position on the Gulf of Poets – named for Byron and Shelley – ties it to Romantic-era tourism, but today it is a busy working port and transport hub. The historic centre, with its pedestrianised Via del Prione, is lively with cafes and shops, and the waterfront promenade offers views of the marina and the hills beyond.
Best Time to Visit
Full La Spezia guide →Best months
May and September: warm, settled weather (18–25°C) without the July–August peak crowds. June is also good, but temperatures edge higher and tourist numbers climb steadily.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, with August being the absolute peak due to Italian Ferragosto holidays (15 August) and school breaks. Hotel prices double or more, and the Cinque Terre trails are crammed. The main driver is day-trippers heading to the five villages; La Spezia itself stays less frenetic than the coastal towns.
Budget shoulder season
April, October: prices drop by 30–50% versus August, weather is cooler (12–20°C) but often pleasant for walking. Crowds thin out, and booking a ferry or train to the Cinque Terre is far easier.
Weather & packing
La Spezia can be humid and prone to quick afternoon thunderstorms in summer, even when the morning is clear. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or small umbrella regardless of the forecast, along with sturdy walking shoes for the cobbled streets and hills.
Live City Briefing — La Spezia
- La Spezia’s pedestrian zone on Via del Prione has been extended, meaning more cafes with outdoor seating and less traffic noise – but watch for delivery vans in the early morning. The central market under the porticoes (Mercato Coperto) now opens daily until 2pm, with a good selection of local seafood and focaccia.
- The Cinque Terre Express train service runs every 15–20 minutes in July, but tickets must be bought in advance online to avoid long queues at the station. All five villages now require a day pass for the coastal path, even if you only plan to walk one section.
- A new air-conditioned ferry service from La Spezia to Porto Venere, Lerici and the Cinque Terre started in June 2026, reducing journey times by about 15 minutes compared to the older boats. Check the timetable at the port office as departure slots fill quickly on weekends.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Costello, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4 facing the courtyard side (if available) – these are high enough to avoid street-level rumble from Corso Cavour but still within the three-floor building's quietest zone. The lift serves all floors, so top floors mean less foot traffic past your door.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor directly overlooking Corso Cavour – the main street runs past the hotel, with traffic and pedestrian noise starting early. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift in a 3-star building can be audible. Courtyard-facing rooms are far preferable.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on floors 3-4 have a direct view of Corso Cavour's lively street scene and distant hills, while courtyard-side rooms offer a quieter outlook onto internal gardens or rear yards – no sea view here, as the hotel is inland on a commercial street.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (the top two residential floors) – furthest from street activity and the reception area, and with the lift audible only if you're next door. The building's five floors (including ground) have consistent layout, so upper floors are best.
🔊 Noise notes
Corso Cavour is a busy urban street – traffic hum from 7am-10pm, plus pedestrian chatter from nearby bars and shops. The lift emits a standard mechanical hum, not excessive but noticeable in adjacent rooms. No late-night club noise, but early-morning delivery trucks to local businesses can be heard.
Insider tips
Ask if a courtyard-facing room is free – it makes a big difference for sleep quality, especially on weekends. The hotel is a short walk from La Spezia Centrale station and the ferry port, so you can leave the car at a cheap parking garage (via Fiume) for day trips to Cinque Terre.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Costello
Free for all guests, speeds around 20 Mbps download; no login — just select hotel network and accept terms on browser landing page
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers in lobby; the hotel is a former 19th-century townhouse with original marble staircase and high ceilings on the ground floor
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00 at reception; late check-out until 12:00 for €25, subject to availability
Free storage behind the front desk on day of check-out; no lockers but bags are tagged and kept in a locked room
Step-free access via a ramp at the side entrance on via XXIV Maggio; lift is narrow, only fits a standard wheelchair; no accessible rooms formally designated
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parcheggio Cavour at via Fiume 29, €15 per 24 hours; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person per night, payable at check-in, children under 12 exempt
Deposit & card hold: The first night is charged to the card at booking; a €50 incidental hold is placed on a card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Nostra Signora della Neve (341 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa della Buona Novella (467 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Nostra Signora della Salute (583 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa del Sacro Cuore di Gesù (583 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Le Terrazze — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Campetto Verde — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Museo del Sigillo — 413 m · ~5 min walk
Teatro Civico — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Piazza Unità D'Italia — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 223 m · ~3 min walk
Farmacia della Stazione — 212 m · ~3 min walk
Carrefour Express — 132 m · ~2 min walk
Stazione FS — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at La Spezia Centrale or tourist spots, as their rates are poor.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) common in shops and restaurants; small cafes or markets may be cash-only.
Not expected; rounding up the bill or leaving a euro or two for good service at a restaurant is appreciated; no tipping for taxis or hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter, around €1.10–1.30.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a bakery, around €5–8.
A pasta or pizza dish at a trattoria, around €10–15 for a main.
Via del Prione and the market area near Piazza Cavour have stalls selling focaccia, farinata, and pizza slices.
Conad, Lidl, and Coop are common budget supermarkets in 19122.
Via del Prione has high-street chains like OVS and H&M; the weekly market (Wed/Sat) at Piazza Brin has affordable clothing stalls.
Walk the compact centre; ATC bus ticket €1.50 (valid 90 min). From the airport (Pisa or Genoa), take a regional train to La Spezia Centrale, around €10–15.
Buy a Cinque Terre Train Card if visiting the villages (€18.20/day includes trains and trail fees); eat lunch at a supermarket deli counter or buy groceries for picnics; book ferry tickets ahead online to avoid peak surcharges.
Good to know — La Spezia
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in La Spezia, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Costello
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 223 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia della Stazione — 212 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →La Spezia Centrale station (bus stop 'Stazione FS') → Hotel Stella (stop 'Via Fiume/Cavour')
💡 Hardly necessary — it’s a 500m walk. But if you have heavy bags, single tickets (biglietto corsa singola) are sold at the tabacchi inside the station. Validate it in the machine onboard; the fine is €60.
Pisa Airport bus stop (outside arrivals) → La Spezia bus station
💡 Book online in advance (€8–12) for the cheapest fare. The bus drops you at Piazza Brin, a 10-min walk to the hotel — cut through the market hall if it’s open. Luggage goes in the hold, no weight limit issues.
Pisa Airport (platform at station ground level) → La Spezia Centrale (then 5-min walk to Hotel Stella)
💡 Buy the Pisa Mover ticket (€2.70, cash only at the airport machine) to reach Pisa Centrale, then a regional train to La Spezia. Avoid the Intercity — it costs triple and barely saves time. The hotel is a block from the station, turn left on Via Fiume.
Pisa International Airport (PSA) → Hotel Stella, La Spezia
💡 Book a shared transfer via ShuttleDirect or getDriver for around €50 per person. A standard taxi from the rank costs more, but always confirm the fixed price before you set off — drivers often add a surcharge after 10pm.
About La Spezia
Wikipedia ↗
La Spezia is a city and municipality at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the eastern part of the region of Liguria in Italy, the capital of the Province of La Spezia. With a population of 92,711, it is the 2nd-largest municipality in Liguria and the 52-largest in Italy. La Spezia is the second-...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Costello?
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4 facing the courtyard side (if available) – these are high enough to avoid street-level rumble from Corso Cavour but still within the three-floor building's quietest zone. The lift serves all floors, so top floors mean less foot traffic past your door.
Which rooms should I avoid at Costello?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor directly overlooking Corso Cavour – the main street runs past the hotel, with traffic and pedestrian noise starting early. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift in a 3-star building can be audible. Courtyard-facing rooms are far preferable.
Is Costello noisy?
Corso Cavour is a busy urban street – traffic hum from 7am-10pm, plus pedestrian chatter from nearby bars and shops. The lift emits a standard mechanical hum, not excessive but noticeable in adjacent rooms. No late-night club noise, but early-morning delivery trucks to local businesses can be heard.
Which rooms have the best views at Costello?
Front-facing rooms on floors 3-4 have a direct view of Corso Cavour's lively street scene and distant hills, while courtyard-side rooms offer a quieter outlook onto internal gardens or rear yards – no sea view here, as the hotel is inland on a commercial street.
What are insider tips for staying at Costello?
Ask if a courtyard-facing room is free – it makes a big difference for sleep quality, especially on weekends. The hotel is a short walk from La Spezia Centrale station and the ferry port, so you can leave the car at a cheap parking garage (via Fiume) for day trips to Cinque Terre.
What time is check-in at Costello?
Check-in at Costello is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Costello have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, speeds around 20 Mbps download; no login — just select hotel network and accept terms on browser landing page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Costello?
€2.50 per person per night, payable at check-in, children under 12 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Costello?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a bakery, around €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Costello?
Walk the compact centre; ATC bus ticket €1.50 (valid 90 min). From the airport (Pisa or Genoa), take a regional train to La Spezia Centrale, around €10–15.
When is the best time to visit La Spezia?
May and September: warm, settled weather (18–25°C) without the July–August peak crowds. June is also good, but temperatures edge higher and tourist numbers climb steadily.
Top Attractions in La Spezia
💡 It's on a small lane off Via del Prione. Look for the bell tower poking above the drying laundry. Combo walk: visit here, then head up the steps to the castle.
💡 Take coffee at Bar Il Molo on the corner – they do a decent espresso for €1.20. Best light for photos is early morning before the cruise crowds appear.
💡 Take the ferry from La Spezia to Porto Venere (cheap, runs regularly) then walk back along the coastal trail. It's about 6km, decently marked, and saves you backtracking.
💡 Walk up via the Salita della Cittadella—steep but cuter than the road. Skip the museum if you're cash-strapped; the ramparts and view alone justify the ticket.
💡 Photography is partly restricted inside, but the outdoor collection of anchors and propellers is fair game. Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups.