Chiavari Castle stands on a small hill just north of the old town, the oldest surviving structure in the city. The original fortress was built by the Fieschi family — the most powerful noble dynasty in medieval Liguria — in the eleventh century, and the surviving walls and towers date largely from that period and subsequent Genoese modifications. The castle is not open to the public in the traditional museum sense, but the exterior is in good condition and the hilltop position gives fine views over the bay toward Lavagna and Sestri Levante.
The castle grounds are occasionally used for outdoor events and concerts in summer. It is a short walk from the old town, easily combined with a circuit of the Caruggio Dritto.