Which place is cheaper, La Spezia or Turin (Torino)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turin (Torino) or La Spezia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Turin (Torino)
Turin (Torino) is a lively, beautiful, and authentic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
La Spezia
La Spezia is a lively, convenient, and cultural town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.
Turin (Torino) and La Spezia: Pros and Cons
Turin (Torino)
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Impressive beauty
La Spezia
Pros- Active nightlife
- Popular beach
- Scenic old town
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Less museums and historical sights
Is there more to do in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Spezia than Turin (Torino). While Turin (Torino) is larger than La Spezia, La Spezia has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Spezia is more popular for its beaches and historical sights, while Turin (Torino) is known for its museums and impressive beauty. La Spezia is more touristy than Turin (Torino) and is popular for being the gateway to Cinque Terre. It is also home to The Maritime Museum. Turin (Torino) is popular for its grand squares, beautiful palaces, and easy access to the Alps.
How is Turin (Torino) different from La Spezia?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Spezia and Turin (Torino). Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Turin (Torino) is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, La Spezia is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Turin (Torino). The city boasts a number of museums including The Egyptian Museum, Museo Nazionale del Cinema, and Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile. Other landmarks include the Royal Armory, The Cathedral and the Holy Shroud, and Palazzo Madama.
La Spezia offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.
Is the Food Better in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Turin (Torino) and La Spezia.
Dining out in Turin (Torino) is an experience not to be missed. The region has been credited with being the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement. The dishes often use locally made ingredients and there are very diverse flavors and recipes. Local favorites include antipasto misto, risotto ai funghi (mushroom risotto), and carne cruda (beef tartare).
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in La Spezia. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Evening events are good in both Turin (Torino) and La Spezia.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Turin (Torino). There's a good nightlife scene that includes everything from bars to dance clubs. Via Po is one of the city's main bar hopping streets. For a more relaxed night out head to Via Garibaldi which has a number of restaurants and cocktail bars.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Spezia. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Beaches?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
La Spezia is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Turin (Torino) is not a beach destination.
La Spezia has a beach worth visiting. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.
Turin (Torino) is not a beach destination.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
La Spezia is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Turin (Torino) does not have a historic old town.
La Spezia offers a nice historic old town area. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.
Turin (Torino) does not have a historic old town.
Is the Shopping Better in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Both Turin (Torino) and La Spezia are good shopping destinations.
Many visitors go to Turin (Torino) to go shopping. The city has everything from high end shopping to local boutiques. For the best luxury shopping head to Via Roma. Via Garibaldi is another popular pedestrian street that has many shops and restaurants.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in La Spezia. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Families?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Turin (Torino) and La Spezia are both good destinations for the whole family.
Turin (Torino) is a family-friendly place to visit. If the kids need to stretch their legs, head to Valentino Park. For kid-friendly museums, check out The Cinema Museum The Egyptian Museum, or the Museum of Car. It's also fun to take a ride of the historic tram.
La Spezia is a family-friendly city. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Couples?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Turin (Torino) and La Spezia are both great to visit as a couple.
Turin (Torino) is a very popular place to visit for couples. With grand squares, beautiful architecture, and excellent cuisine, couples will enjoy every minute of their trip to Turin. The city is also near the Alps, so outdoor adventure isn't far away.
La Spezia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Both Turin (Torino) and La Spezia are great destinations for backpackers.
Turin (Torino) is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and easy access to outdoor activities. The city also has great food and a lively atmosphere.
La Spezia is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Students?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Turin (Torino) is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, La Spezia is not popular with students.
Many students visit Turin (Torino). It's relatively easy to find study abroad opportunities to the area. The city's atmosphere is diverse and fun with many activities that the student population can enjoy.
La Spezia is not popular with students.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
Turin (Torino) is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.
Turin (Torino) has some very good public transit options. The public transit system is operated by Gruppo Torinese Trasporti (GTT) and includes one metro line, nine tram lines, and a number of bus lines.
You'll find some public transit in La Spezia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.
Is Turin (Torino) or La Spezia a more walkable city?
Turin (Torino)
La Spezia
La Spezia is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.
La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.
Turin (Torino) is somewhat walkable. While the city is large, the city center is generally compact and walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Turin (Torino) Worth Visiting? and Is La Spezia Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Turin (Torino)?
How long in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Turin (Torino) and La Spezia. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in La Spezia than Turin (Torino). Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in La Spezia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in La Spezia than Turin (Torino). You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Spezia that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
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How many days in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia? Ideal Length of StayTurin (Torino) 2-3La Spezia 2-3
One day in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Turin (Torino). Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
In La Spezia, you'll find nightlife and food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
A weekend in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Turin (Torino). This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
La Spezia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
Five days in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Turin (Torino). The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Spezia. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
A week in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Turin (Torino) is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the town of La Spezia. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurin (Torino) €157La Spezia €198
The average daily cost (per person) in Turin (Torino) is €157, while the average daily cost in La Spezia is €198. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Turin (Torino) and La Spezia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurin (Torino) €79La Spezia €113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurin (Torino) €158La Spezia €226
Compare Hotels in Turin (Torino) and La Spezia
Looking for a hotel in Turin (Torino) or La Spezia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Turin (Torino) Hotel Prices and La Spezia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turin (Torino) €44La Spezia €41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turin (Torino)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Turin (Torino):
- Turin Private Transfer from Turin city centre to Turin Airport: $102
- Turin Caselle Airport to Sestriere/Val Chisone-RoundTrip Transfer: $142
- Turin Caselle Airport to Courmayeur - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Turin Caselle Airport to Courchevel La Plagne Round Trip Transfer: $295
- Turin Caselle Airport to Chamonix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Turin Caselle Airport TRN to Breuil-Cervinia -Round-Trip Transfer: $142
- Turin Airport to Val d'Isere/Morzine/Avoriaz-Arrival Transfer: $87
- Turin Airport Private Departure Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Turin City to Milan Airport/City by Sedan: $236
- Private Direct Transfer From Turin to Milan: $256
- Private Arrival Transfer from Turin Caselle Airport to Courchevel: $147
- Departure by Van or Car from Transfer Turin to Turin Airport TRN: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Spezia
Also for La Spezia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Hotels to La Spezia Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Port to La Spezia Hotels: $22
- La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer Porto Venere or Lerici to La Spezia by car / van: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer from La Spezia to Porto Venere or Lerici: $91
- La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from La Spezia to Cinque Terre by car or van: $141
- Private Transfer La Spezia to Pisa by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $202
- Private Transfer from La Spezia to Florence : $242
- Arrival Private Transfer La Spezia to Genoa by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $253
- La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Prices for flights to both La Spezia and Turin (Torino) change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayTurin (Torino) €43La Spezia €56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Turin (Torino)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Turin (Torino).
- Bolognese a la Mode | Online Cooking with Chef Abram | Italy: $64
- Turin Guided Food Tour with Chocolate and Wine Tasting: $69
- Turin, food tour, taste our tradition.: $85
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Castelnuovo Belbo with Show Cooking: $93
- Dining experience at a local's home in Nebbiuno with cooking demo: $93
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Leinì with Show Cooking: $93
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lessona with Show Cooking: $93
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Casale Monferrato with Show Cooking: $93
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Casaleggio Boiro with Show Cooking: $93
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cella Monte with Show Cooking: $93
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Alessandria with Show Cooking: $93
- Turin Mix Aperitivo & Street Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour: $91
- Small-Group Street Food Tour: $95
- Tour of Apericena at Sunset and Dinner on Boat: $96
- Portovenere: Sunset Cruise with Aperitif and Dinner: $96
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $97
- Small-group Street food tour in La Spezia: $97
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in La Spezia: $114
- Porto Venere & Islands Sunset Boat Tour w/ Dinner: $138
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Private Cooking Class in an Italian Home: $155
- Market Visit and Seafood Cooking Class with Lunch: $156
- Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in La Spezia: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turin (Torino) €28La Spezia €37
Tours and Activities in Turin (Torino)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Turin (Torino) are as follows:
- "Langhe del Barolo" Private E-bike Tour - Asphalt and Dirt Road: $79
- 2 Hours Private Guided Tour in Turin Egyptian Museum : $163
- 2-Hour Private Turin Walking Tour: $136
- Be a Movie Star Tour for Kids & Families at the Turin National Cinema Museum: $173
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Typical Dining at a Local's Home in Turin: $152
- Chocolate Tour in Turin for Kids and Families Including Gianduiotto and Bicerin: $147
- CioccolaTOur, discover the sweet side of Turin tasting the most famous chocolate: $218
- City Sightseeing Turin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
- Classic e-bike tour Turin, from the historic center to the hill: $49
- Custom Guided Tours: $201
- E-bike tour with aperitif included: $82
- Entrance ticket with tasting at Casa Martini: $22
Tours and Activities in La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus City Tour Ticket: $27
- La Spezia Walking Tour: $39
- From Round-Trip to Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $42
- Guided Walking Tour with Italian-Inspired Music: $43
- From La Spezia to Pisa with optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $49
- The Sunset Tour: $54
- 4-Hour E-Bike Guided Tour of the Tellaro and Montemarcello Villages: $55
- Pisa Tour by bus: $55
- From Florence & Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $58
- Portovenere & the 3 Islands: Sunset Boat Tour from La Spezia: $58
- Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere: $65
- Cinque Terre Tour by Boat: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurin (Torino) €8.57La Spezia €35
Sample the Local Flavors in Turin (Torino)
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Turin (Torino):
- Tour of the Historical Cellars and Wine Tasting in Turin: $35
- Wine Tour and Tasting with the Producer in the Monferrato-Classic: $41
- 2 Hour Courtyard Aperitivo in Turin with Wine Tasting: $47
- Wine Tasting near Royal Palace of Turin: $49
- Cesarine: Turin Wine Tasting & Food Pairing with an Expert : $119
Sample the Local Flavors in La Spezia
Also in La Spezia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- boat tour with seafood and wine tasting: $214
- Lucca city tour and Pisa tower + wine tasting from La Spezia Port: $217
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turin (Torino) and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia is more expensive. And not only is Turin (Torino) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Turin (Torino) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Turin (Torino) and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in La Spezia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Spezia than you might in Turin (Torino).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turin (Torino) Expensive? and Is La Spezia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turin (Torino) or La Spezia?
Turin (Torino) has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of La Spezia. When comparing the sizes of Turin (Torino) and La Spezia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.