The Gulf of the Poets

Villages and hills gathered around the bay of La Spezia to admire the evocative, inspiring beauty of perfecly blended nature and architecture.

The La Spezia Bay is known as the Gulf of Poets, because many poets have praised its beauty throughout time.

Since Ancient Roman times, when La Spezia didn’t exist as a city and the Emperor would give his most valuable and noble friends pieces of land to relax in a at the time pristine land. The Poet Persio lived here, possibly in one of the many Roman Villas that still can be seen in the area.
But the naturally evocative power of the steep reef, the quiet asperity of people and land, the restlessness of the sea have been inspiring especially for romantic poets, who wanted to feel the power of nature above men : George Sand so described the sea she viewed from her window:

” … The sea is a painting that changes in color and mood every minute, day and night. There are profundities here filled with a clangor whose dreadful variety is hard to imagine; all the cries of despair, all the curses of hell intermingle here, and under my little window I hear in the night voices from the abyss that sometimes roar in a nameless bacchanalia, at others, savage hymns fearsome even in the extent of the consolation they bring … “

Explore The Gulf of the Poets

La Spezia

La Spezia is a small town nestled at the center of the Gulf of Poets more and more appreciated by visitors who choose to spend some time in the lively town.

Portovenere

Portovenere is one of the most beautiful locations in the Mediterranean sea, evocative place for romantic poets and lovers.

Lerici

Lerici is a quaint village at the eastern edge of the Gulf of the Poets, with an imposing fortress on the sea, and the last outpost of Lunigiana.

Palmaria Island

Palmaria Island is a natural paradise, its pristine nature of rare birds and plants and half-submerged grottos have been preserved throughout time.

Tellaro

Tellaro is a jewel, a quaint fishing village with long traditions, charming architectures, evocative atmosphere loved by many poets who lived here.

- Where are you?

Cinque Terre Area

The Cinque Terre Villages

The Gulf of the Poets: Portovenere, Lerici and La Spezia

The Vara Valley and the Bio District

Lunigiana, ancient castles and abbeys

LA SPEZIA

The main city of the whole area, a charming town, facing the Gulf of the Poets.

PORTOVENERE

One of the edges of the Gulf, open to the sea with the magnificent San Pietro Church.

PALMARIA ISLAND

The biggest island of the Ligurian Sea, an incredible natural environment with rare species and a long history.

LERICI

Lerici is on the eastern edge of the Gulf of the Poets, with its imponent castle is the gateway to the Lunigiana.

TELLARO

Tellaro is a little jewel, a quaint fishing village on the verge of the Gulf, with a beautiful overlook and charming traditions.

Scarica

Download the map of the Cinque Terre

- Gulf of the Poets Stories

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The revolutionary Cinque Terre Railway

Cinque Terre, Trekking

The railway that today takes us to the villages and beaches of The Cinque Terre was a revolutionary construction project, that requested a refined technology for the time. It is one of the most charming railway stretches in the world, the one connecting the five villages of the Cinque Terre. The villages used to be almost completely isolated […]

The sea Trail, to swim carefree between Vernazza and Monterosso

Cinque Terre, Highlights, Trekking featured, snorkelling in the cinque terre, swimmng in the cinque terre, the sea trail

The coast of the Cinque Terre by the sea: a joy for the eyes not only for those who own a boat. The success of the Cinque Terre makes them very attractive for those who like to sail and motorboats, yachts, sailboats flock more and more in the coves and beaches of this stretch of coast, sometimes in […]

Not to be missed in the Gulf of the Poets

The Gulf of the Poets in six points:

1 La Spezia

A new vibrant, city, with interesting art and technical museums, good restaurants and bars and a relaxed atmosphere, La Spezia is at the center of the Gulf of the Poets.

2 The Portovenere Archipelago

Is formed by the Islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. Only the first island is accessible, even if not in its entirety: visit the beautiful Marine area by Kayak.

3 Beautiful Beaches

La Spezia beaches are not in town, but the Gulf of the Poets beaches are easily reached from the town, while others require a few instructions.

4 Summer Parties!

In Summer Times, plan to visit the area during one of its most fun and spectacular events, such as the Portovenere Natural Pool, the Madonna Bianca, the Palio del Golfo.

5 The Poets' places

Why this evocative name? What did the poets say about the Gulf, where did they go? A journey through the Poets’ places.

6 Enjoy the Golden Hour

Viewing one of the suggestive sunsets offered by the localities of the Gulf is highly recommended: for example, while tasting and enjoying an aperitivo in Lerici or Portovenere

Useful Advice to explore the Gulf of Poets

How to travel in the Gulf of the Poets

By car: all localities are served with good driveways, but most of them do not have a rail station.
By ferry, you can reach Palmaria Island and many localities of the Gulf by ferry from La Spezia, view our La Spezia ferry schedule.
Cycling to reach the many localties of the Gulf is possible, although assisted bikes are recommended if you are not trained. View our bike guided tours.

The ferry crosses the Gulf of the Poets.

All villages of the Gulf of the Gulf of the Poets are worth a visit: we recommend investing one or two days crossing the bay by ferry, enjoying the many perspectives on the Gulf offered by each place.
At the moment, the Gulf of the Poets is less crowded with tourists than the more popular Cinque Terre in the high season.

Top Experiences in the Gulf of Poets

Book One of these Unique Ideas
to enjoy the Gulf of the Poets Area

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