The Castello di Lerici sits on the rocky promontory at the eastern edge of town, dominating the harbour from above. Built in the 13th century and expanded through the 16th, the castle is a layered structure — defensive towers, internal courtyards, and a chapel of Sant'Anastasia whose original mosaics are still partially intact.
Inside, the Museo del Castello di Lerici houses a small but worthwhile paleontology collection, with fossils from the Ligurian coast and surrounding hills. The castle grounds give some of the best views across the Gulf of La Spezia — across to La Spezia's naval shipyards to the west, and to Portovenere and the islands beyond. Admission is charged; check local seasonal hours as the castle sometimes closes in winter.