Lerici

Lerici is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Liguria: located in the easternmost part of the Gulf of La Spezia near the estuary of the Magra River, facing Porto Venere and the islands of Tino and Plamaria, Lerici has maintained its original medieval structure while boasting ancient origins. Thanks to its bay naturally protected from libeccio and scirocco sea storms and the proximity of the Via Francigena, it developed a function as an important maritime and commercial port of call.

Lerici has always been a port of call for wayfarers and pilgrims who traveled through Sarzana to Rome and, through a branch of the same route, even led all the way to St. James of Compostela. The port itself is not a marina but has always had and in the past hosted, merchant, passenger and military ships.

Certainly striking of the panorama of the town and the port, The Castle of Lerici overlooking the port itself: in a dominant position on top of the rocky promontory that closes south on Lerici Bay, it was in the past an object of contention between the Genoese and the Pisans.

The port that gathers at its foot starts from the castle itself via a pier about 250 meters long, two wharves and a quay bank. It currently houses a few fishing boats and many pleasure boats, most of them permanent.

However, there are also some dedicated transit areas, provided with water and electricity, managed by the Erix Sailing Club that can accommodate both motor and sailboats up to 12 meters. There are also additional places (for sailboats only) at the Circle’s docks; more at the buoys with a ferry service. The Circle provides visitors with restrooms, showers, a terrace and Internet access via Wi-Fi.

The pier is also home to the beach delegation, bar, gas station, and the Lerici sub, a club that organizes diving excursions in the surrounding area.

The town of Lerici clearly offers everything you need: on late summer days after days of sailing, walking along the pier with the light of sunset makes the scenery unforgettable, and the typical culinary offerings of the restaurants in the area are very interested, excellent fish dishes as well as clearly the classic testaroli al pesto.

Along with La Spezia and Porto Venere, Lerici overlooks the famous and beautiful Gulf of Poets: for many years along with nearby San Terenzo, they hosted such personalities as Lord Byron and Mary Shelley . Equally unmissable nearby locations are Tellaro, a typical seaside village and named among the most beautiful in Italy.