La Spezia is the town before the 5 terre. It's absolutely nothing special and would not recommend visiting it as there it not much to see, as it's a great big industrial zone.

Although it's not great to visit as a "cute town" it is very good if you need to hire cars, many tours of the 5 terre start at the port, big shopping malls, department stores and supermarkets. Everything that the 5 Terre don't offer.