Lord Byron's Grotto

Byron’s Cave is a natural marvel nestled between the castle walls and St. Peter’s Church in Portovenere. This enchanting cavity delves 20 meters deep into the rocky terrain, creating a captivating and well-known attraction within the town.

Originally known as the “Harpy Cave,” its name was later changed in honor of the famed poet Lord Byron. It is said that Lord Byron found inspiration within this breathtaking location and used it to describe the privateer’s cave in one of his renowned poems.

According to local lore, Lord Byron embarked on an impressive aquatic journey from Byron’s Cave. Allegedly, he swam an impressive distance of 8 kilometers to reach his friend Shelley in the nearby town of Lerici.

Diving into Byron’s Cave offers a thrilling experience accessible to both experienced swimmers and beginners. The dive reveals an underwater panorama teeming with a diverse array of fascinating marine life, including crustaceans, anemones, and an array of vibrant and colorful small fish. This underwater adventure adds an extra layer of wonder to the already captivating surroundings of Portovenere.

The Lord Byron's Grotto appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Portovenere!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Nearby Attractions

• Palazzata a Mare, Portovenere (0.1) km
  Notable Building in Portovenere
• Castello Doria (0.1) km
  Castle in La Spezia
• Church of San Pietro (Porto Venere) (0.1) km
  Church in La Spezia
• Porta del Borgo, Porto Venere (0.3) km
  City Gate in La Spezia
• Porto Venere Regional Natural Park (1.1) km
  National Park in La Spezia
• Roman villa of Varignano (1.7) km
  Roman Site in La Spezia
• Thaon di Revel Bridge (5.8) km
  Bridge in La Spezia
• Naval Technical Museum La Spezia (5.9) km
  Museum in La Spezia
• CAMeC - Centro Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (6.0) km
  Museum in La Spezia
• San Giorgio Castle (6.4) km
  Castle and Museum in La Spezia