{"id":53936,"date":"2026-09-30T17:28:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T17:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/darkseagreen-rook-345411.hostingersite.com\/liguria\/lerici\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T20:09:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T20:09:02","slug":"lerici","status":"publish","type":"localita","link":"https:\/\/italian-riviera.com\/en\/riviera-di-levante\/lerici\/","title":{"rendered":"Lerici"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lerici is one of the best-loved towns on the Riviera di Levante: a village of pastel houses gathered around its harbour, watched over by the castle of San Giorgio and facing the Gulf of Poets, a few kilometres from La Spezia and the border with Tuscany.<\/p>\n

It is a perfect place for a seaside holiday. The town, a Blue Flag destination again in 2026, has sandy beaches in the centre and at San Terenzo, and small rocky coves towards Fiascherino and Tellaro<\/a>. A three-kilometre seafront promenade runs from one castle to the other, and boats leave the harbour for Portovenere<\/a> and the Cinque Terre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The gulf’s name is no accident. Percy and Mary Shelley lived here, Lord Byron passed through and, a century later, D. H. Lawrence wrote at Fiascherino. Long before them, Petrarch mentioned the “slender tower” of Lerici castle. Between a swim, a walk through the narrow lanes and a seafood dinner in the old town, it is easy to see why.<\/p>\n

What to see in Lerici<\/h2>\n

Lerici combines a compact old town, two castles, villas overlooking the gulf and some of the loveliest villages in Liguria. One day is enough for the essentials; with two or three days you have time for the hamlets, the trails and a boat trip.<\/p>\n

San Giorgio Castle (Lerici Castle)<\/h3>\n
\"Lerici<\/figure>\n

San Giorgio castle stands on the headland that closes Lerici bay to the south and is the symbol of the Gulf of Poets. Its first core was built by the Pisans after defeating the Genoese at the battle of Giglio (1241); in 1256 Lerici passed to Genoa, which over the centuries turned the castle into a fortress. A plaque above the entrance records the major reinforcement works of 1555, when the sloping walls that still wrap around it were built.<\/p>\n

Inside you walk through the covered moat, now an exhibition hall, the great vaulted hall and the chapel of Santa Anastasia, a 13th-century gem that has survived almost intact, with the black-and-white banded decoration typical of the Pisan-Genoese style. Within these walls, in 1528, Andrea Doria decided to leave France and side with Charles V, a choice that changed the history of Genoa.<\/p>\n

From the rooftop terrace the view takes in the whole gulf: the harbour, the promenade to San Terenzo, Villa Marigola and, on clear days, Portovenere and the Apuan Alps. The castle hosts exhibitions, concerts and events; the Geopalaeontological Museum it used to house has been closed since 2015. Opening hours and tickets change with the seasons, so check them on the town’s tourism website<\/a> before you climb up.<\/p>\n

Piazza Garibaldi and the Oratory of San Rocco<\/h3>\n
\"Small<\/figure>\n

The heart of Lerici is Piazza Garibaldi, open to the marina and framed by pastel houses: in summer it fills with caf\u00e9 tables and in the evening it is the place for an aperitivo. From here the lanes and stairways climb up to the castle.<\/p>\n

Next to the square, in Largo Marconi, stands the Oratory of San Rocco. It was founded in 1287 and originally dedicated to Saint George; it took the name of Saint Roch, protector against the plague, when it was enlarged during the 16th-century epidemics. The 14th-century bell tower has two 16th-century reliefs. Inside are a 16th-century panel with Saints Martin, Christopher, Sebastian and Roch and the Madonna della Salute, painted on a slab of slate.<\/p>\n

Church of San Francesco and Oratory of San Bernardino<\/h3>\n

In Via Cavour, in the old town, stands the church of San Francesco, opened for worship in 1636 in place of a smaller 14th-century church. It holds altarpieces mostly from the Genoese school. From the sacristy you reach the Oratory of San Bernardino, built at the end of the 15th century: tradition says that Saint Bernardine of Siena preached to the people of Lerici from its small black slate pulpit.<\/p>\n

The seafront from Lerici to San Terenzo, from castle to castle<\/h3>\n
\"Walk<\/figure>\n

The seafront promenade links Lerici harbour with the village of San Terenzo: about three flat kilometres among palm trees, beaches and lidos, with San Giorgio castle behind you and San Terenzo castle ahead. It is the most beautiful walk in the gulf at sunset, when the fa\u00e7ades glow and the lights come on in the harbour.<\/p>\n

Villa Marigola<\/h3>\n
\"Villa<\/figure>\n

On the headland between Lerici and San Terenzo, surrounded by a park of holm oaks, pines and old olive trees, stands Villa Marigola. The 18th-century villa has one of the most spectacular views of the Gulf of La Spezia and a rare Italian garden by the sea, alongside an English-style garden.<\/p>\n

Today it belongs to Carispezia (Cr\u00e9dit Agricole group) and is a conference centre that hosts exhibitions, concerts and meetings. The interiors open during events and the gardens can be visited by appointment: up-to-date information is on the Grandi Giardini Italiani page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

San Terenzo and Villa Magni<\/h3>\n
\"Colourful<\/figure>\n

San Terenzo is a small fishing village with colourful houses right on the beach, a little harbour and its own castle on the headland. On the seafront stands Villa Magni, the house where Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, lived in the spring and summer of 1822: from here the poet set sail on his last voyage to Livorno, from which he never returned. The villa is private and can be seen from the outside.<\/p>\n

Fiascherino and Tellaro<\/h3>\n
\"Tellaro<\/figure>\n

Heading south, the coast road passes Fiascherino, with its coves among the rocks and the Mediterranean scrub. In 1913 and 1914 the English writer D. H. Lawrence lived here and, in a small pink house by the sea, worked on the novel The Rainbow.<\/p>\n

At the end of the road lies Tellaro<\/a>, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy: tall, narrow houses clinging to the cliff and the church of San Giorgio on the sea. Legend has it that a giant octopus rang the church bells to warn the villagers of an attack by Saracen pirates. Every 24 December the village celebrates its Underwater Christmas, when divers bring a statue of the Infant Jesus up from the sea among hundreds of torches.<\/p>\n

The Golden Butterfly<\/h3>\n
\"Farfalla<\/figure>\n

On the hills above Lerici, on Monte Caprione (Monti San Lorenzo area), you can watch a surprising phenomenon. In the weeks around the summer solstice the light of the setting sun passes through a stone structure called the Quadrilite and draws on the rock a glowing figure that looks like a butterfly. The area has several stone structures studied by archaeoastronomy enthusiasts; the phenomenon can be seen from mid-June to mid-July, peaking close to the longest day of the year.<\/p>\n

The Caletta underwater archaeological park<\/h3>\n

Between the points of Maralunga and Maramozza, about nine metres down, lies the wreck of a 1st-century AD Roman ship that was carrying marble columns: three column sections and fragments of amphorae can still be seen on the seabed. The site, excavated between 1990 and 1997, can be visited on dives organised by the gulf’s diving centres.<\/p>\n

Beaches in Lerici<\/h2>\n
\"Lerici<\/figure>\n

Lerici is a Blue Flag destination again in 2026, with awarded beaches such as Venere Azzurra, Fiascherino and Eco del Mare. In the centre and at San Terenzo the beaches are mostly sandy, with beach clubs and free sections; towards Fiascherino and Tellaro you go down to small pebbly coves among the rocks, often reachable only on foot. In July and August book your umbrella and sunbed or arrive early.<\/p>\n

Lido di Lerici<\/h3>\n

The Lido is the beach club in the centre, a short walk from the harbour, with a view of the castle. Handy if you are staying in town and do not want to use the car.<\/p>\n

Baia Blu and Marinella<\/h3>\n

Baia Blu is one of the most photographed beaches in the gulf: clear water, a sheltered position and the historic “La Baia Blu” beach club, ideal if you want comfort right by the sea. Next to it is the small Marinella beach, partly free.<\/p>\n

San Terenzo beach<\/h3>\n

Fine golden sand below San Terenzo castle, with free sections and beach clubs offering umbrellas, sunbeds, cabins, bars and restaurants. In high season the most popular services should be booked in advance. Boat trips to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre also leave from here.<\/p>\n

Venere Azzurra<\/h3>\n

About two hundred metres of sand with shallow, clear water, well suited to families with children; the breakwaters about 150 metres offshore can be reached by swimming. It lies on the road between San Terenzo and Lerici, with the Venere Azzurra car park opposite and a bus stop.<\/p>\n

Eco del Mare<\/h3>\n

A small private bay at the foot of the cliff between Lerici and Fiascherino, with a beach club, a restaurant and crystal-clear water. It is one of the most exclusive beaches in the gulf: in high season it is best to book.<\/p>\n

Fiascherino beaches<\/h3>\n

Two small coves of gravel and pebbles between white cliffs and Mediterranean scrub, away from the traffic and perfect for snorkelling. You leave the car in the car park on the road to Tellaro and walk down a path with steps. There is a small bar and you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas; as the coves are small, arrive early in August.<\/p>\n

Cala Maramozza<\/h3>\n

A wild cove between Fiascherino and Lerici, reached by a poorly signposted path and a long flight of steps. There are no facilities, so bring everything you need, in exchange for very clear water and hardly any crowds.<\/p>\n

Lerici in one day: an itinerary<\/h2>\n

If you only have one day, this walking itinerary covers the main sights without rushing. Wear comfortable shoes: there are plenty of steps between the castle and the old town.<\/p>\n