Lerici: Castello San Giorgio, Coastal Paths and Culture by the Sea

Between Fortress, Coast and Nature

Lerici looks at its fortified past, the coast between Lerici and San Terenzo, and paths into the natural surroundings. If you would like to combine culture and activity, you will find various points of interest: Castello San Giorgio stands on the rocky promontory that closes off the Bay of Lerici to the south. The oldest identifiable core of Castello San Giorgio was built by the Pisans after the Battle of Giglio in 1241. This makes a specific building and a clearly documented connection to the history of Lerici the starting point for exploring the town.

Castello and San Francesco

The current entrance to Castello San Giorgio is on the sea-facing side, at the end of an access ramp visible from Lerici's Lungomare. This means the complex can already be included in your orientation around the town from the waterfront. The Church of San Francesco in Lerici provides a different architectural accent. It was built in the 1630s and has side chapels featuring extensive use of polychrome marble. Castello and the church thus represent two different facets of the town's cultural landscape: the fortified complex on the promontory and the elaborately designed interior of a religious building.

Coastal Paths between Lerici and San Terenzo

The two fortifications of San Terenzo and Lerici are connected by a waterfront promenade and, in summer, also by boat service. For walks, the approximately 2-km-long Walk of Poetry provides its own point of orientation. It connects San Terenzo with Lerici and is also known as the promenade “from castle to castle.” Depending on your travel interests, this section can therefore be viewed as a coastal path, a connection between two fortifications or a walking route. The coastal location remains the shared spatial reference, while the Walk of Poetry has its own length and name.

Hiking Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty

The first stage of the Sentiero Liguria leads from Bocca di Magra to Lerici. It takes 3 hours and 50 minutes, has an elevation gain of 411 m and is rated difficulty level E. Another route is the Anello 3 loop trail. It leads via Salita Canata, Venere Azzurra, Bagnola and San Terenzo back to Lerici. You can reach the Farfalla Dorata on foot via CAI trails 411 and 415; the area around Monte Rocchetta near the Church of Madonna della Misericordia is recommended as the starting point. These trails clearly differ in route, duration and character, making them suitable for a considered choice when planning your day.

Nature Experience and a Small Cove

Lerici is one of the municipalities within the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Natural Park. A special natural phenomenon awaits you at the Farfalla Dorata: at sunset, sunlight passing between the stones of a natural trilith projects the image of a glowing butterfly onto the monolith behind it. The small cove of La Caletta can be reached by sea or via a staircase from the road near Maralunga in the direction of Tellaro. The nature park, rock formation and cove complement the historical attractions with landscape destinations, each with its own point of orientation.

Festivals and Activities on the Water

The celebration of Sant’Erasmo in Lerici takes place on the first weekend of July and includes a festival, processions, fireworks and floating lights. Mytiliade is an event held every two years in September focusing on mussel farming and Mediterranean culture. For activities on the water, Kayak Buena Onda below Castello San Giorgio offers canoe and kayak rentals as well as lessons for adults and children. SUP, three-hour kayak tours and one-day kayak rentals are also offered there. In addition to walks and hikes, seasonal festivals and various water sports are therefore also key attractions.

Discover More Places

For further orientation, you can also explore Mattarana, Ceparana, Santo Stefano Di Magra, Cembrano, La Spezia, Arcola, Isola and Pignone.

To the main travel overview: La Spezia.