Nestled in the heart of the Montemarcello-Magra Natural Park, just a short distance from La Spezia and Portovenere, Lerici captivates visitors with its medieval Castello di Lerici, offering stunning views of the Gulf of Poets. Still relatively undiscovered by international travelers, Lerici remains a charming authentic Italian coastal village.
The promenade invites you to enjoy a leisurely stroll with a gelato, passing colorful fishing boats and quaint cafés. In the charming old town, the geopaleontological museum in the castle provides an interesting glimpse into the region's history. The surrounding beaches and crystal-clear waters make Lerici a true paradise for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Top Highlights of Lerici
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Castello di San Giorgio
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
Majestically, the Castello di Lerici sits on a rocky spur overlooking the bay of the same name and is one of the most significant fortifications in Liguria. Built in the 12th century by the Republic of Genoa, the structure impresses with its pentagonal shape and massive defensive walls that blend harmoniously into the coastal landscape.
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Lerici Historic Centre
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
Lido di Lerici
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
Lungomare di Lerici
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
Caletta
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
Villa Marigola
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
High above the Gulf of Poets stands the majestic Villa Marigola, built in the 18th century as a summer residence for the Marchese Ollandini. This estate, surrounded by oak trees, changed hands several times—from the English banker Reginald Jenkin Pearse, who hosted European nobility and artists here at the end of the 19th century, to the shipowner Giovanni Battista Bibolini, who expanded the villa in 1926.
San Giorgio
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
The Chiesa di San Giorgio sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the picturesque fishing village of Tellaro on the Ligurian coast. Built in the 16th century, this Catholic church features an intricately crafted marble altarpiece from its time of origin, as well as a baroque baptismal font.
Oratorio di Santa Maria
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
Venere Azzurra Beach
Lerici, Liguria, Italy
In a picturesque bay on the east side of the Gulf of La Spezia lies the Venere Azzurra beach, which stretches harmoniously between Lerici and San Terenzo. Originally known as "La Vallata," this coastal area has been a popular bathing spot since 1953 and is also home to the eponymous Borgata Marinara - a traditional rowing community.
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Excursions
From Lerici, you can easily take trips to Porto Venere and the renowned Cinque Terre. A boat tour to the nearby island of Palmaria in the Porto Venere Natural Park is also highly recommended. For hiking, the Montemarcello-Magra Natural Park offers scenic trails, as well as routes to the nearby towns of Fiascherino and Tellaro. These two picturesque fishing villages are among the most beautiful in Italy! In summer, they are accessible by boat, or by bus during the rest of the year.
