Lerici – 2025
EAT
Pizzeria Ristorante La Gerla
This pizza place is right in the main square where the stairs from our house let out, somehow we had never been before. It’s tucked in right next to the gelateria. The pizzas are great, I loved the pesto pizza and super reasonably priced. We also loved the farinata, it is a local specialty made from chickpea flour, thin and just the right amount of crispy. You can't beat the caraff of frizzante for 9euros. We’re definitely going back. You need a reservation, go after 8:00 otherwise the sun is very intense.
Via O.Petriccioli, 4, 19032 Lerici SP
0187968291
Ristorante Lerici Bistrot - Our Take Away Go To
I’m sure I’ve mentioned Restaurant Lerici Bar in a previous Lerici post, but it definitely deserves another shoutout. We get dinner take away to bring up to the house all the time.
Our favorites are the shrimp and chickpea salad, the mixed roasted vegetables, and the roasted potatoes. Everything is super fresh and flavorful. They close daily from 3 to 5 and I think are closed on Wednesday.
They have three storefronts: one is a more formal restaurant, the other is a casual café and the third is the take away counter. This trip we discovered the go to the café. It has a cozy, comfy vibe and is a perfect place to regroup between activities.
Locanda Il Senatore - Fiascherino
This was our second time going to Senatore in Fiascherino. Both times for Erica's birthday. This year we went for dinner. It's such a special spot. You sit outside, up above a beautiful cove, with the sea stretching out in front of you. The menu is all made to order. Some of my favorites are the muscles to share, the pesto and the daily fish.
Getting there does take a little planning. We took the bus there, it usually only comes once an hour. Taxis need to be arranged before coming back. Make sure you leave enough time, it’s definitely not the kind of place you want to rush.
Via Giorgio Byron, 13, 19032 Lerici SP, Italy
+39 0187 967236
*** Reservations are always reccomended.
Cappucinos & Wine
La Coscienza Di Zeno - End of Boardwalk
Funny how our little go-to spots shift each year. This one is tucked at the very end of the marina boardwalk. It’s a café with food too, but we mainly come for the fresh-pressed juices. The interior is super cute — a little more Greek in feel than Italian. We love coming here after yoga for a juice and a cappuccino. The avocado toast is also really yummy.
Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 26, 19032 Lerici SP
Vespucci's Cafe - Castle
How have I never been here? Walk up towards the castle and you’ll find this adorable little coffee shop tucked right at the base of the castle. There’s a great breeze, and the views over Lerici and the next cove are absolutely beautiful. If you haven't been in the castle its a must.
P.za S. Girgio, 4 - 19032 Lerici SP
P. Iva 01490140116
Bar Costa
This cafe has always been here but the outside area across from the cinque terra ferry was closed last year. The inside is super old school looks more of a place you would find in Bologna or Torino. You stand at the bar for your coffee.
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 3, 19032 Lerici SP
1918 Mare - Persecco on the beach
We absolutely love this spot. 1918 Mare is perfectly located right on the beach between Lerici and San Terenzo. It’s the kind of place that works for any time of day. Whether you’re stopping by for a late afternoon prosecco, a morning cappuccino, or a relaxed seaside lunch.
Via S. Biaggini, 19032 lungomare SP
La Magnolia
This is our go to frizzante place. It is from a tap, 4 euros. Super local. We tried other places and we always come back here. Great location right in Piazza Garibaldi. We love this spot
Gelateria Arcobaleno
This is our go to gelateria. The kids have sampled most the spots in the area and this is our favorite. We usually end up there at least once a day.
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 20, 19032 Lerici SP
To Do
San Giorgio Castle
We’ve been coming to Lerici for three years, and somehow this was my first time actually going inside the San Giorgio Castle. You can see it from just about everywhere in town, perched high above the water, it’s hard to miss. The structure itself, built in 1241, is so impressive, and inside there was a really interesting contemporary art exhibit that made the whole visit even more surprising and memorable.
Boat Rental - Il Sole Nel Golfo
We rented a boat from Il Sole Nel Golfo, picked up right from the marina—near where the fishermen come in with their morning catch. A few days in advance, we reserved a rubber boat that fit eight people. It was 160 euros for a half-day rental, from 9:00 to 2:00, and totally worth it.
There’s something magical about seeing all our favorite spots from the water. We headed in the direction of Tellaro, with our first stop at Caletta cove. This is our cove, it was fun to find our house from the water. We swam around the big rocks and explored our cove.
After that, we continued past Tellaro to a few of the more remote beaches that you can only get to by boat. We found a quiet spot, anchored the boat, and I swam in. From the water, you can see the Carrara marble mines in the distance, and the white marble mountains look almost otherworldly.
On the way back, we stopped in Tellaro. The kids took a few jumps off the dock. Our final stop was the cove by Eco del Mare. We’ve always wanted to go there—it’s a high-end, ultra-serene beach club, no kids allowed. Even just seeing it from the water was fun.
A perfect way to spend the day and a great way to see the coastline from a different perspective.
Tel. 345 0105042
La Serra - morning walk
La Serra is the little hilltop town right above our house, on the trail that leads toward Tellaro. It’s about a 20 minute hike up and the views along the way and at the top are pretty spectacular.
We had a cappuccino at the bar in the square and then wandered into the church, which was still decorated with sand murals left over from the recent first communions.
We didn’t stay too long, but it was the perfect way to start the day—some movement, a view, and a coffee in a sleepy little town.
Day Trips
Portofino & Santa Margarita
We had a great day exploring Santa Margherita and Portofino. We arrived in Santa Margherita by train around 11:00 and walked straight to the marina. It's about a 10 minute walk to catch the 11:15 water taxi to Portofino. Highly recommend the water taxi/ ferry!
Both towns are absolutely beautiful. The landscape is stunning and the overall vibe is quite different from Lerici.
Portofino
We had a lunch reservation at Da i Gemelli in Portofino, which was fabulous. It's run by two adorable twin brothers and everything from the food to the family run atmosphere was spot on. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time.
Any of the cafes around the Portofino marina are great for a coffee. Definitely check out the shops, there are some really cute reasonably priced boutiques in between all the luxury shops.
After lunch, we took the ferry back to Santa Margherita. Tit is a 10 minute beautiful ride, so fun to be out on the water and great way to see the area also all the yachts.
Santa Margarita
We wandered through town a bit and stopped at Gelateria Centrale, which is a must for the Pinguino — a stretched-out cone of gelato dipped in chocolate. So good.
We also visited the Basilica di Santa Margherita, right in the city center. It’s stunning inside and definitely a must!
Antica Drogheria Seghezzo is right next to the Bascillica. It is a very old grocery/ general store that has everything!!!!!
There are some really nice clothing boutiques
Travel
Flying Out of Milan
We flew out of the Milan airport at the end of our trip. Getting there was super easy. The day before our flight we took the train from La Spezia to Milano Centrale, and from there hopped on the direct train to the airport.
We spent the night at the Sheraton Milan Malpensa, which is located right at the airport and connected to both the terminal and train station. It honestly couldn’t be more convenient. You can walk from your hotel room to the terminal in under five minutes. no shuttles, no stress.
The hotel itself is really nice. The restaurant has a fun, modern vibe with lots of greenery and a stylish design. The food was really good too, which was a nice surprise for an airport hotel.
For my flight, I was on United in seat 30L on the Dreamliner. Its a great window seat with extra leg room.
