The Gulf of Poets in Liguria is one of the most beloved destinations for sailing enthusiasts in Italy. And rightly so. This stretch of coastline overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, from Portovenere to Lerici, forms a sinuous arc along which picturesque villages, churches and medieval castles dot the rocky shores, bays, beaches and natural reserves. Not to mention the dozens of tourist marinas and equipped ports, nautical services, and sheltered harbors that delight those who venture by sailboat along these coasts.

For those who are not boat owners but still want to enjoy a sailing vacation in the Gulf of Poets, there are countless boats available for rent along the Ligurian Riviera, including monohull sailboats and catamarans. Let’s see why this location is so popular and what it has to offer beyond its beautiful waters and genuinely maritime atmosphere.

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The magic of La Spezia between the Arsenal and historic buildings

The heart of the Gulf of Poets is La Spezia, which also serves as an excellent starting point to begin your cruise exploring the Ligurian beauties. It hosts a large port with over 1,200 berths and is equipped with all kinds of services for boating. In addition to the historic Arsenal of the Navy, which has always shaped its face, La Spezia is also a beautiful Liberty-style city with interesting museums, monuments, and many shopping streets: from Via Del Prione, a pedestrian alley of a couple of kilometers with many shops, to Corso Cavour and Via Domenico Chiodo with their nineteenth-century arcades where you can also find many shops selling local products.

Truly enchanting is the Passeggiata Morin, along the waterfront, with palm trees and floral arrangements. From here, you have a splendid view of the Gulf of Poets, and along its quays, ferries depart for Portovenere, the Cinque Terre and Lerici. Not to be missed for those disembarking in La Spezia are also the Castle of San Giorgio, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Lia Museum, in addition to the Naval History Museum, of course.

Portovenere, colorful and romantic village

Portovenere is a pearl of this Ligurian coast. Always loved by writers and artists from around the world, along with the three islands of the archipelago (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) and the Cinque Terre, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is named in honor of the Temple of Venus that once stood where the romantic and ancient church of San Pietro now stands, on the most extreme point of the promontory. From there, the view of the Gulf of Poets is beautiful. Otherwise, Portovenere is a seaside village characterized by tall houses painted in vibrant colors with a charm of its own. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most beautiful and photographed places in Liguria.

In the city harbor, there is always lots of tourist boats and those of local fishermen circulating, and many restaurants and shops welcome you along the pier. For those who disembark, there are many things to visit: the old Castle, the churches of San Lorenzo and San Pietro, Byron’s Grotto. And then, it’s nice to get lost in the long alley that crosses the historic center. From Portovenere, in a few minutes by boat, you can reach Palmaria, the only inhabited island in Liguria, a natural reserve crossed by trails and tourist routes. Here, several marine caves await you, including the famous Blue Grotto.

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Lerici, pearl of the Levante rivier

Lerici is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful seaside villages in Liguria, with its golden beaches, medieval castles, and numerous villas nestled in the greenery. It is located in the center of a small inlet dominated by a promontory on which stands the Monumental Castle built in 1152, housing a 13th-century Gothic-Ligurian chapel and now serving as the seat of the Geopaleontological Museum. Lerici’s harbor is located just below the castle and offers 1,300 boat berths, including 8 reserved for transit with all nautical services.

Among the must-see attractions when you disembark are the San Rocco tower, a Roman-era structure originally built as a watchtower and later transformed into a bell tower in the 16th century; the parish church of San Francesco D’Assisi, dating back to the late 1200s; Ca’ Doria, the residence of the famous Genoese admiral Andrea Doria; and Villa Padula, the residence of the English baroness and writer Emuska Orczy Borstow (author of the famous novel “The Scarlet Pimpernel”). Equally charming are the hamlets of Fiascherino, with its beautiful beaches and lush nature, and San Terenzo with a 15th-century castle. Additionally, there are Villa Marigola, surrounded by the greenery of the park, and Villa Magni, which hosted P.B. Shelley and Lord Byron.

Tellaro: unspoiled nature and ancient maritime legends

Overlooking the Gulf of Poets is Tellaro, a small fishing village nestled in the Montemarcello-Magra Natural Park. Here, much like the Cinque Terre, charming colorful houses are built on the cliffs by the sea, boats bask in the sun and life maintains a slow and pleasant pace. A destination for many Italian and foreign artists, Tellaro hosted Mario Soldati for years and is beloved by tourists. The church dedicated to Saint George is highly scenic, with its antique pink façade built on the rock and surrounded by the sea.

Its history is linked to a legend: one night, a gigantic octopus, entwining itself around the church bells’ rope, warned the population of the arrival of Saracen pirates. Tellaro is also famous for its Subaquatic Christmas. Finally, don’t miss one of the trails descending from the higher villages to the coast, passing through terraces sloping down to the sea. The view of the Gulf of Poets from here is truly breathtaking.

 

Discover the best boat rental deals from Liguria