Holiday apartment in Lerici: discover castles, coast and nature

Holiday apartment in Lerici: experiences between the shore and nature

Anyone planning a holiday apartment in Lerici can get to know the town through several different experiences: fortress architecture, waterfront paths, hiking trails, nature observations and events with a maritime connection. Castello San Giorgio stands on the rocky promontory that closes off Lerici Bay to the south. Its oldest identifiable core was built by the Pisans after the Battle of Giglio in 1241.

Castello San Giorgio and paths by the water

The present-day entrance to Castello San Giorgio is on the sea-facing side, at the end of an access ramp visible from Lerici’s Lungomare. If you choose accommodation in Lerici, you can take this location, as well as the history of the castle, into account when planning your stay.

For active days, 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. The approximately 2 km-long Walk of Poetry, also known as the “from castle to castle” promenade, connects San Terenzo with Lerici. The Anello 3 circular route leads via Salita Canata, Venere Azzurra, Bagnola and San Terenzo back to Lerici. This allows you to distinguish between a stage, a promenade of approximately two kilometres and a circular route.

Nature park, bay and paddling activities

A special natural feature is the Farfalla Dorata. At sunset, the sun’s rays passing between the stones of a natural trilith project the image of a glowing butterfly onto the monolith behind it. The Farfalla Dorata can be reached on foot via CAI trails 411 and 415; the area around Monte Rocchetta near the Church of Madonna della Misericordia is recommended as a starting point.

Lerici is one of the municipalities within the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Nature Park. The small bay of La Caletta can be reached by sea or via a staircase from the road near Maralunga in the direction of Tellaro. Below Castello San Giorgio, Kayak Buena Onda offers canoe and kayak rentals as well as lessons for adults and children. Kayak Buena Onda also offers SUP, three-hour kayak tours and one-day kayak rentals. This makes it possible to plan different types of activities by the water without leaving out the cultural side of your stay.

Festivals and sacred art

The two fortifications of San Terenzo and Lerici are connected by a waterfront promenade and, in summer, also by boat services. The festivals also give the town its own annual rhythm: the celebration of Sant’Erasmo in Lerici takes place on the first weekend of July and includes a festival, processions, fireworks and floating lights. The Mytiliade in Lerici is an event held every two years in September focusing on mussel farming and Mediterranean culture.

The Church of San Francesco in Lerici was built in the 1630s and has side chapels featuring extensive use of polychrome marble. When choosing your holiday apartment in Lerici, you can therefore tailor your stay according to your interest in history, trails, nature, water or festivals.

More places for planning your trip

For further trip planning, you can also consider Portovenere, Castelnuovo Magra, Riccò Del Golfo Di Spezia, Sorbolo, Cavanella Vara, Ameglia, Santo Stefano Di Magra and San Terenzo.

For the overarching travel overview: La Spezia.