Lerici, Venus Azzurra - Italy

Lerici is a coastal town in the province of La Spezia in the Italian region of Liguria, on the eastern part of the Ligurian coast. Lerici is located on the Golfo di Poeti, the Gulf of Poets, and is surrounded by a hilly landscape with small coastal communities, olive groves and Mediterranean vegetation. The older parts of Lerici are located around a natural bay where the port and the promenade form a central part of city life. Above the port is Castello di Lerici, a medieval castle that was built over several centuries and is today a clear feature of the cityscape. Lerici has long had a connection to the sea, both through fishing and shipping and through the tourism that developed during the 19th and 20th centuries. The town has also been associated with English writers and poets who stayed in the area. The Gulf of Poets has received its name, among other things, through this literary history. From Lerici you can look across the bay towards the islands of Palmaria and Tino and towards Portovenere on the other side of the water.

Venere Azzurra is a coastal area just east of the centre of Lerici. The name is used primarily for the beach and the surrounding area along the sea. The beach of Venere Azzurra is located in a relatively sheltered part of the bay and consists mainly of sand and gravel. There are swimming facilities, a promenade and various activities aimed at visitors during the summer. From the beach and the coastline you have a view of the Golfo dei Poeti, while the buildings of Lerici and the castle lie to the west. The area around Venere Azzurra is also a starting point for walks along the coast and further towards San Terenzo, another coastal town within the municipality of Lerici. Between Lerici and San Terenzo there is a footpath close to the sea, with bathing areas and views of the bay. The landscape changes between denser buildings, cliffs and green slopes.

The municipality of Lerici includes several smaller towns and coastal communities. San Terenzo is located to the west of Lerici, while Tellaro is located to the east along the coast. Tellaro is an older village with narrow alleys and houses that are located close to the steep coast. Together, these towns form a coastal stretch where history, residential areas, beaches and tourism are closely intertwined. Lerici is also close to La Spezia and has connections with both La Spezia and other parts of Liguria. The area is therefore both a destination in itself and part of the larger coastal region around La Spezia, Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.

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