If youâve ever tried to wrangle a beach umbrella in a gusty Ligurian breeze while balancing a gelato in one hand and dodging sunbathing Italians with the other, you know that beach days near La Spezia can veer wildly from serene to farcical in seconds. On my very first cruise stop in La Spezia over two decades ago, I thought Iâd found beach heaven⌠until I realized I’d mistakenly wandered into a local dog bathing zone (complete with a golden retriever who considered my towel communal property). Lesson learned: the best beaches near La Spezia are often the ones the guidebooks donât mention.
Why Go Beyond the Obvious?
Sure, the Cinque Terre gets all the love â and with good reason. Those cliff-hugging villages are straight out of a watercolor dream. But what if I told you that just beyond the packed tourist trails lie hidden beaches where the only soundtrack is the Mediterranean, not the click of 400 selfie sticks?
That’s what we’re diving into today: seven lesser-known gems near La Spezia where you can spread your towel without sharing sunscreen with strangers from six continents.
1. Cala Maramozza â The Secret Cove of Tellaro
Just past the pastel village of Tellaro (the less-famous but more romantic sister of Lerici), Cala Maramozza hides like a shy mermaid. Youâll need decent shoes and a sense of adventure â thereâs a steep trail, and Google Maps is no help here. But once you arrive, itâs as if Poseidon himself set aside this pocket of paradise for those clever enough to find it.
- Insider Tip: Bring reef shoes â the rocks are ruggedly charming, but your soles won’t thank you barefoot.
- Getting There: Bus or ferry to Tellaro, then a 15-minute walk south past the port.
2. Punta Corvo â The Stairmasterâs Reward
This is a beach you earn â and oh, my calves, did I earn it. Located beneath Montemarcello, Punta Corvo is accessible only via a descending trail with (I kid you not) over 700 steps. But when you emerge onto the black sand, flanked by dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, youâll forgive every drop of sweat.
- Pro Traveler Hack: Go early. The path closes at 4:30 p.m. in summer, and you do NOT want to climb those stairs in panic mode.
3. Baia Blu â A Hidden Lido with Perks
Not all hidden beaches are wild. Baia Blu, near Lerici, balances nature with just enough structure: lounge chairs, snack bar, a sprinkle of locals. Itâs off the radar but offers enough amenities to keep non-wilderness fans happy. Itâs my secret weapon when I travel with picky relatives (you know the typeâthey panic if Wi-Fi dips below four bars).
- Little-Known Fact: Itâs built into a former military zone. The only thing ‘combat’ you’ll face now is securing a sunbed during August weekends.
4. Spiaggia del Groppolo â Where Silence Speaks Volumes
You want off-the-grid? Groppolo is your jam. Accessible only by kayak or a rugged path from Serra (bring someone with a good sense of direction and patience), this pebble-strewn bay feels like the end of the world â in the best way. No crowds. Just cypress-studded cliffs and your own heartbeat.
- Bonus Tip: Creek-fed freshwater springs bubble out from the rocks nearbyâperfect for washing off salt or pretending you’re in a spa commercial.
5. Fiascherino Bay â The Poetâs Playground
Located between Lerici and Tellaro, this twin-beach gem is where English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley used to swimâŚuntil he tragically didnât (storm, boat, you get the idea). But donât let that spook youâthe bay is tranquil, with soft waves and shady groves.
- Family-Friendly Alert: Great for kids â shallow waters and warm sand. Bonus: there’s a gelateria right at the entrance. You’re welcome.
6. La Piega â The Localsâ Dive Spot
Locals hate that Iâm mentioning this, but fairâs fair. La Piega is technically part of Porto Venere, just past the Grotte Byron. Youâll spot daredevils diving off cliffs nearby â donât try it unless youâve signed a waiver with destiny. The beach itself is rocky but peaceful, with some of the clearest snorkeling Iâve seen outside of the Red Sea.
- Insider Secret: Arrive late afternoon when tour boats leave. The sunset here? Bellissimo doesnât even scratch the surface.
7. Le Rosse Beach â The Floating Fantasy
Accessible only by boat, Le Rosse is a rust-colored beach hugged by vertical cliffs in the Regional Natural Park of Porto Venere. Itâs pure dramaâexactly what you want in a beach you had to charter to reach. If youâre on a cruise and can swing a private tender or join a boutique shore tour, this is the VIP move.
- Bonus Crème de la Crème Tip: Ask about small-group excursions through your cruise concierge. The stock tours miss this one because itâs too âout of reachâ logistically. Translation: it’s perfect.
What To Pack (That You Didn’t Know You Needed)
| Item | Why Youâll Thank Me Later |
|---|---|
| Quick-dry microfiber towel | Beach hopping = wet towel blues. These dry faster than gossip on the lido deck. |
| Water shoes | Ligurian beaches love their pebbles. Your feet donât. |
| Reusable swim bag | Sand has an escape plan. This bag keeps it contained. |
| Compact mask/snorkel | Hidden beaches = hidden wonders underwater. Donât miss them. |
| Portable handheld fan | Italian summers don’t mess around. Youâll be everyoneâs hero. |
The Real Deal: Pros & Cons
Pros: These beaches offer privacy, otherworldly beauty, and bragging rights sharper than a fresh Pecorino. Perfect for cruise travelers keen to escape the herd.
Cons: Youâll need to plan aheadâmany hidden spots require effort, transport puzzles, or a moderate cardio workout. Not ideal if youâve overdone it at the midnight dessert buffet.
Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Beach Like a Legend?
La Spezia is far more than a gateway to Cinque Terreâitâs the portal to stories youâll tell for years, sun-splashed serendipities only possible when you wander beyond the brochure. Whether youâre a seasoned cruiser or itâs your maiden voyage, donât just see the coastâlive it. Scramble down that rocky trail. Dive into that forgotten bay. Just maybe hold on tight to your gelato if thereâs a retriever nearby.
The best part? Every beach here gives you two vacations in one: unforgettable adventure, and the soothing seclusion only a true hidden gem can bring. Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve found your own slice of Ligurian heaven.