Old castle on a wooded hill in the Lunigiana countryside

Italy 2027 Special · Hidden Tuscany

Lunigiana: the quiet corner of Tuscany next to Cinque Terre

By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 28, 2026

Lunigiana is the northern tip of Tuscany, a valley of castles and stone villages along the Magra river between Liguria and Emilia-Romagna. Its main town, Aulla, is about 25 minutes by train from La Spezia, so you can sleep here and still visit Cinque Terre for the day.

Rooms cost less than on the coast. In one search we ran on 28 October 2026 for two nights in May 2027, stays in Aulla ranged from €145 to €286, against €216 to €574 in Riomaggiore. That is a single snapshot, not an average, but the gap is typical of what you'll see.

Lunigiana quick facts

Where: Northern Tuscany, province of Massa-Carrara; 14 comuni along the Magra valley
From La Spezia: About 25 minutes by train to Aulla; 17 km to the Aulla motorway exit
From Pisa: About 52 minutes by car; 1 to 2 hours 45 by train
Known for: Malaspina castles, prehistoric stele statues, testaroli and chestnut flour
Walking route: The Via Francigena crosses it in 3 stages, 71 km
Car needed?: For villages and mountain walks, yes. Aulla and Pontremoli work by train

Why Lunigiana is worth the detour

The area covers 14 comuni, from Aulla and Pontremoli to Fosdinovo, Fivizzano and Bagnone. Its nickname is "the land of a hundred castles": the Malaspina family ruled the valley for about six centuries from the year 802, and their castles still sit above most villages (Lunigiana: the land and its comuni (Terre di Lunigiana), Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)).

It lies between the Apennines and the Apuan Alps, inside a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the Via Francigena pilgrim route runs straight through Aulla (Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany), Aulla (Visit Tuscany)).

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Lunigiana and Cinque Terre in one trip

Trains between Aulla Lunigiana and La Spezia Centrale take 23 to 29 minutes, with 25 direct trains a day in the 2025/26 timetable. The last train leaves Aulla at 22:31 (Aulla Lunigiana to La Spezia trains (e656 timetable)).
From La Spezia, the Cinque Terre trains reach the five villages in a few minutes, so a day trip from Aulla is easy.
By car, the Aulla exit of the A15 motorway is 17 km from La Spezia (A15 motorway exits and distances (Wikipedia)).

Read our Cinque Terre guide to plan the coast part of the trip.

Our Lunigiana guides

Best time to visit LunigianaWhen to visit Lunigiana: summer medieval festivals, the Premio Bancarella, chestnut festivals in October and Christmas events, with dates from 2026.Getting to Lunigiana by train or carHow to reach Lunigiana: trains to Aulla and Pontremoli from La Spezia, Pisa and Parma, the nearest airports, the A15 exits and when you need a car.Where to stay in LunigianaWhere to stay in Lunigiana: Aulla as a cheap base for Cinque Terre, Pontremoli for a walkable old town, or a room in Fosdinovo castle, with price signals.What to see in Lunigiana by walking levelWhat to see in Lunigiana by walking level: the stele statues museum, San Caprasio abbey, Fosdinovo castle tours, walled Filetto and easy hikes.Where to eat in LunigianaWhat to eat in Lunigiana, from testaroli and panigacci to chestnut lasagne, and where: places recommended by Michelin, Slow Food and Gambero Rosso.

A first day in Lunigiana

Morning in Aulla: the Abbey of San Caprasio, a stop on the Via Francigena, and the riverside path.
Train or drive about 20 minutes north to Pontremoli for the stele statues museum in the Piagnaro castle.
Lunch on testaroli in Pontremoli, where they come from.
Afternoon in Filetto, a walled village, or at the Malaspina castle in Fosdinovo if you have a car.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lunigiana?

In the far north of Tuscany, in the province of Massa-Carrara, along the Magra river between Liguria and Emilia-Romagna. Its main towns are Aulla and Pontremoli.

How far is Lunigiana from Cinque Terre?

Trains from Aulla to La Spezia take 23 to 29 minutes, and from La Spezia the Cinque Terre trains run to the five villages.

Is Lunigiana cheaper than Cinque Terre?

Usually yes. In our 28 October 2026 search for two nights in May 2027, Aulla stays ranged from €145 to €286 against €216 to €574 in Riomaggiore.

Do I need a car in Lunigiana?

Aulla, Villafranca and Pontremoli are on the railway. For most villages, castles and mountain walks, a car makes things much easier.

Plan the trip

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More Lunigiana guides

Sources

Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 28, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.