Hi, looking for the best route to Lerici for a scenic driver that doesn't enjoy city driving. What would you recommend as the more scenic route to get to Lerici from San Gimignano? I see a choice to take SS439 through Lucca instead of SS1 through Pisa. I don't mind the extra 30min if it means scenic/less stressful driving. It's our vacation after all. It looks like that will mean less time on E80 though, which possibly is the prettier coastal route? It's our first time there, so we really don't know. The goal that day was to make it to Lerici since we just have two quick nights there. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Boston
1804 posts
I think the prettiest and easiest driving overall is the E80 / A12. I would get to it by driving through the countryside past Volterra on the SS68. Yes, the start from San Gimignano is inefficient, and the SS68 is curvy, but once you are on the A12 (which is the local signage) it's easy and the views are better than local roads. If you follow the likely Google Maps route and go toward Pontedera and take the SGC Fi-Pi-Li (Firenze-Pisa-Livorno), it's sort of a raceway into Pisa with heavyish traffic. I would not cut across toward Lucca, it looks short but feels endless.
If your Lerici hotel doesn't offer parking - and most don't - the largest parking area is La Vallata, and there's a shuttle available that circles the town. https://www.apathtolunch.com/2011/06/castle-to-castle-along-gulf-of-poets.html Usually the Lerici ZTL is not activated except on a few big holidays, but street parking (as opposed to lots) is almost all restricted to residents.
Posted by
OP
USA
2 posts
Thanks Mike, this is exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated! (also thanks for parking tips)