Lerici

Lerici is a coastal town in Liguria, in the province of La Spezia, set on the bay known as the Gulf of Poets, named after British writers such as Lord Byron and Percy Shelley, who stayed here in the 19th century. The village is overlooked by a 13th-century medieval castle, the Castello di Lerici, which stands above the harbour and offers views across the bay. The seafront, lined with colourful houses, cafés and seafood restaurants, forms the hub of local life. Nearby lie the hamlets of San Terenzo and Tellaro, the latter listed among Italy's most beautiful villages. The area is popular for its small coves and pebble beaches, sailing, and boat trips to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre, both around half an hour away by road or sea. Local cuisine centres on fresh seafood, focaccia and Ligurian pesto. The mild Mediterranean climate makes the destination suitable for visits from spring through to autumn, within a setting that combines coastal charm with the hilly landscape typical of this stretch of the Ligurian coastline.