The province of La Spezia has over 30 kilometres of coastline, from the volcanic black sand at Punta Corvo to the sandy shallows of Fiumaretta. The beaches divide clearly by how you reach them — some are a 10-minute walk from a bus stop, some require a ferry, some a steep hike or a boat hire. This guide organises them by access type so you can plan without surprises. For descriptions of each beach and what to expect when you arrive, see our full La Spezia beaches guide.
Town Beaches: Walkable from the Centre
These beaches are reachable on foot or within a few minutes of a bus stop in La Spezia itself.
Calata Doria, La Spezia: the city’s own waterfront, 15 minutes on foot from the train station. No sand — locals swim from rocks and a concrete platform along the promenade. Works for an early morning swim before catching a train.
Spiaggia della Venere Azzurra: an organised lido east of the city centre with flat access, sunbeds and a bar. Reachable by bike or on foot along the seafront path from central La Spezia.
By Bus: Lerici and Fiumaretta
Bus line 1 from La Spezia (Piazza Chiodo) runs to Lerici and stops en route at San Terenzo and Fiascherino. Journey time is 35–45 minutes depending on the stop. This single bus covers the best beaches in the province that are accessible without a car.
Spiaggia di San Terenzo: sandy beach directly below San Terenzo Castle. Calm, shallow water; restaurants 2 minutes on foot. Alight at the San Terenzo stop.
Baia Blu, Lerici: sheltered pebble cove with crystal-clear water and beach clubs at the south end of Lerici. Get off at Lerici and walk 10 minutes south along the seafront. Paid beach clubs (around €15–20 per person); free sections at both ends of the cove.
Cala Maramozza: small pebbly cove south of Lerici town, reachable on foot from the Fiascherino stop (15–20 minutes) or by kayak from Lerici harbour. Good snorkelling around the base of the cliffs.
Spiaggia di Fiascherino: quiet pebble cove between Lerici and Tellaro, sheltered by pines. Steps lead down from the road. Alighted at the Fiascherino stop.
For Fiumaretta: a separate bus service from La Spezia covers the 25 km to Ameglia (45 minutes). Spiaggia di Fiumaretta is a fine-sand beach at the Magra river mouth — the shallowest water and the best beach for young children in the province.
By Bus then Ferry: Portovenere and Palmaria Island
Bus line 11 from La Spezia runs to Portovenere in 45 minutes. From the Portovenere harbour, a scheduled ferry crosses to Palmaria Island in 5 minutes. In summer, ferries run roughly hourly.
Byron’s Grotto, Portovenere: rocky swimming ledge below the Doria Castle, 10 minutes on foot from the bus terminus along the village seafront. Named after Lord Byron, who swam from here across the Gulf of Poets to visit the Shelleys at San Terenzo in 1822.
Spiaggia di Punta Secco (Palmaria): the main beach on the island, pebble, with a beach club and free sections. 10 minutes on foot from the ferry landing. Best visited in the morning when the sun hits the water from the east.
Visiting La Spezia or the Cinque Terre?
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truffle hunt & gourmet truffle lunch & tasting in Lunigiana — a perfect shore excursion from La Spezia.
Cala del Pozzale (Palmaria): 20 minutes on foot from the ferry landing, southeast shore. Small bar on site; very clear water; sheltered from afternoon wind. One of the best swimming spots in the province.
Hike In: Punta Corvo
Punta Corvo near Montemarcello is the most unusual beach in the province — dark volcanic sand, sheer cliffs on three sides, no services. Getting there requires either a hike or a boat.
By foot from Montemarcello: a marked trail descends approximately 700 steps from the Montemarcello car park to the beach (40 minutes down, 50 minutes back). There is no bus to Montemarcello — you need a car. In July and August access is capped at 300 visitors per day; advance reservation is required through the Parco Montemarcello-Magra website. Outside peak season, no reservation is needed and entry is free.
By boat: summer services run from Lerici and Tellaro harbour. This works if you are already in Lerici for the day and want to add Punta Corvo without driving to Montemarcello. Check locally for the current timetable and price.
Boat Only: Spiaggioni di Tellaro and Palmaria Coves
Several coves around Tellaro and Palmaria are only reachable by sea.
Spiaggioni di Tellaro: three small natural coves below the cliffs south of Tellaro. Summer boat services run from Lerici harbour — check locally for times. No facilities at any of the coves; snorkelling is excellent. Tellaro itself is one of the quietest and most photogenic villages on the Ligurian coast.
Cala della Fornace (Palmaria): small shaded cove on the northeast side of Palmaria Island, accessible only by boat from the island’s landing stage. The cliffs block the afternoon sun, making it cooler than Punta Secco in August. No services.
Which La Spezia beach is best for families without a car?
San Terenzo is the easiest — Bus line 1 from La Spezia stops in the village, the water is calm and shallow, and there are restaurants 2 minutes on foot. Fiumaretta is better for very young children (fine sand, very shallow water) but takes 45 minutes by bus.
Can I visit Palmaria Island without a boat of my own?
Yes. Take bus line 11 from La Spezia to Portovenere (45 minutes), then the scheduled ferry to Palmaria (5 minutes, roughly hourly in summer). From the landing you can walk to Punta Secco beach in 10 minutes or Cala del Pozzale in 20 minutes.
Do I need to book Punta Corvo in advance?
In July and August, yes. The beach is capped at 300 visitors per day and reservations must be made through the Parco Montemarcello-Magra booking system. Outside peak season no reservation is needed.
Is there parking at La Spezia beaches?
Lerici has limited paid parking in the village in summer — the bus is more reliable. Fiascherino has roadside parking above the beach. Punta Corvo requires parking at Montemarcello (free). Fiumaretta has free parking near the beach. Portovenere has a paid car park at the village entrance.
How long does it take to get from La Spezia to the best beaches by public transport?
Lerici (Baia Blu, San Terenzo): 35–45 minutes on bus line 1. Portovenere: 45 minutes on bus line 11, plus 5 minutes by ferry for Palmaria. Fiumaretta: approximately 45 minutes. Punta Corvo has no public transport link — it requires a car to Montemarcello or a summer boat from Lerici.
La Spezia works well as a base for this coastline precisely because the bus network is good and the distances are short. For the food side of a stay here, the Ligurian food guide is worth reading before you arrive — or join our La Spezia food and wine tour for a guided afternoon tasting local wines and dishes.
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