A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volos vs. La Spezia for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Volos or La Spezia?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and La Spezia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

La Spezia

La Spezia is a cultural, lively, and convenient town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Volos and La Spezia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Volos or La Spezia?

You'll generally find more things to do in Volos than La Spezia. Volos is bigger than La Spezia, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Volos is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while La Spezia is more popular for its historical sights. La Spezia is more touristy than Volos and is known for being the gateway to Cinque Terre. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty. Also, Volos is famous for The Archaeological Museum of Volos.

How is Volos different from La Spezia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Spezia and Volos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volos or La Spezia?

Volos
La Spezia

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Volos and La Spezia.

While most people don't head to Volos specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

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 Volos or La Spezia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volos
La Spezia

Foodies will find both Volos and La Spezia both to be high quality destinations.

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Dining out in La Spezia is an experience not to be missed. 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 Volos or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?

Volos
La Spezia

Volos is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

La Spezia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Volos or La Spezia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos
La Spezia

Volos is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Spezia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Volos. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

La Spezia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Volos or La Spezia Better for Beaches?

Volos
La Spezia

Volos is a very popular place for the beache. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Many people visit Volos for it's beautiful beaches. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

La Spezia is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.

Is Volos or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?

Volos
La Spezia

La Spezia is very good for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in La Spezia. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or La Spezia?

Volos
La Spezia

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Volos and La Spezia.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volos. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Many visitors go to La Spezia to go shopping. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.


Is Volos or La Spezia Better for Families?

Volos
La Spezia

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Volos or La Spezia.

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Spezia. 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 Volos or La Spezia Better for Couples?

Volos
La Spezia

La Spezia is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Volos is a good city for couples to visit. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Is Volos or La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volos
La Spezia

La Spezia is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit La Spezia. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.


Is Volos or La Spezia Better for Students?

Volos
La Spezia

Volos is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, La Spezia is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Volos. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

La Spezia is not popular with students.

Is Volos or La Spezia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Volos
La Spezia

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Volos and La Spezia.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

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 Volos or La Spezia a more walkable city?

Volos
La Spezia

Volos and La Spezia are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore on foot.

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.


For even more information, also check out Is Volos Worth Visiting? and Is La Spezia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Volos?

How long in Volos or La Spezia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Volos and La Spezia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Spezia than in Volos. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 2-3 days is enough time in La Spezia.

Families should spend more time in Volos than La Spezia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Volos, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in La Spezia than Volos. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Spezia than Volos if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in La Spezia.


  • How many days in Volos or La Spezia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Volos 1-2 
    La Spezia 2-3

One day in Volos or La Spezia?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Volos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In La Spezia, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this convenient destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Volos or La Spezia?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the youthful destination of Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Spezia. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Volos or La Spezia?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful city of Volos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

La Spezia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of La Spezia. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Volos or La Spezia?

Volos is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the lively destination of La Spezia. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, La Spezia or Volos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Volos is €95, 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 Volos and La Spezia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Volos 43
    La Spezia 113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Volos 86
    La Spezia 226
Compare Hotels in Volos and La Spezia

Looking for a hotel in Volos 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.

Hotels in Volos


Hotels in La Spezia


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: Volos Hotel Prices and La Spezia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Volos 37
    La Spezia 41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Volos

Also for Volos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Volos to Athens, Athens Airport and Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $257
  • Volos to Athens Easy & Economy Transfer: $524
  • From Volos to Athens Airport / Athens / Piraeus Private Transfer: $280

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 to Cinque Terre by car or van: $142
  • Private Transfer from La Spezia Port to La Spezia Hotels: $22
  • Private Transfer from La Spezia Cruise Port to Pisa Airport (PSA): $92
  • Private Transfer Porto Venere or Lerici to La Spezia by car / van: $91
  • La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $44
  • La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
  • Arrival Private Transfer from La Spezia to Porto Venere or Lerici: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Volos or La Spezia?

Prices for flights to both La Spezia and Volos 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Volos 30
    La Spezia 56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Volos

For Volos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Session "Pelion Flavours": $71
  • Cook like a local Greek Cooking lesson in Mt Pelion Greece: $109

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
  • Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in La Spezia: $115
  • 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
  • Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in La Spezia: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Volos 17
    La Spezia 37

Tours and Activities in Volos

For Volos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • BIKING PELION Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $211
  • East Pelion - Sea Kayak Tour "Short Paddle": $38
  • From Hidden Sights of Meteora Private Tour: $214
  • HIKING PELION - Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $197
  • Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour "The Secret Cave": $49
  • Kayaking Adventure around Pelion Coastline : $33
  • Volos Pelion Full Day Tour : $240
  • Pagasetic Gulf Full-Day Sailboat Experience: $735

Tours and Activities in La Spezia

For La Spezia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour with Aperitif at Sunset in Spezia: $137
  • 6-Hour Guided Tour Portovenere and Cinque Terre with aperitif: $109
  • Afternoon Boat Tour to Cinque Terre with brunch on board: $153
  • Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere: $66
  • Boat Tours 5 Terre: $137
  • Boat tour 5 terre & Portovenere Food - drink - music - swim : $163
  • Boat tour Cinque Terre and Gulf of Poets from La Spezia: $186
  • Caving adventure at the Caves of Equi Alpi Apuane: $142
  • Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in La Spezia: $152
  • Cinque Terre & Portovenere: Boat Tour: $142
  • Cinque Terre Gems: UNESCO Sites & Secrets Tour: $619
  • Cinque Terre SHARED boat tour, Amazing Experience : $164

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Volos 7.86
    La Spezia 35

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 Volos and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Volos.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Volos Expensive? and Is La Spezia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Volos or La Spezia?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of La Spezia. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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.

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