Although Portovenere (sometimes also Porto Venere) is no longer located directly in the Cinque Terre National Park and is not officially counted among the "5 famous towns", it is listed together with Cinque Terre and the nearby islet of Palmaria on the UNESCO list for its cultural and scenic landscape.
Paradoxically, Portovenere may be one of the most beautiful towns in the Cinque Terre, even though it is not actually officially in it.
The colourful houses in the centre are gradually replaced by wild cliffs with the imposingly placed church of St Peter on the edge of the sea cliff.
Sights and attractions
Although Portovenere is a small village of a few hundred inhabitants, there are many attractions to see.
- Chiesa San Pietro - The town's most famous landmark and one of the most visited around the Golfo della Spezia bay. The Romanesque-Gothic church, originally dating from the 5th century, acquired its present form during the 12th and 13th centuries, its facade decorated with black and white horizontal stripes typical of Genoese and Pisan architecture of the time. The church of San Pietro is particularly famous for its location on a rocky promontory above the sea. Entrance is free.
- Chiesa San Lorenzo - Portovenere's main parish church boasts a pure Romanesque style not converted to Gothic and dates back to 1130. During the 16th century bell towers and cupolas were added. Admission is free.
- Castello Doria Porto Venere - Portovenere's landmark is a majestic fortress built continuously from the 12th to the 19th century, depending on who was ruling over the town at the time. Located on a rocky hill above the town, it offers the most beautiful views of the coast. Castello Doria is considered one of the most beautiful military buildings of the Genoese Republic. Entrance costs 5 eur.
- Porta del Borgo - The entrance to the historic centre of Porto Venere is defended by a massive medieval gate with a tower dating from 1161.
One of the main attractions is also the small centre with its pastel-coloured houses and a beautiful promenade along the small romantic harbour full of tavernas and cafes.
Accommodation
Porto Venere is one of the most beautiful places to stay and thanks to the marked hiking trails, you can easily stay here for more than 1 night. You'll enjoy complete tourist facilities with dozens of shops, restaurants and smaller supermarkets of common Italian brands. Prices for apartments and hotels start at 128 eur per night in high season, about half as much in winter.
For classic hotels, we would recommend Hotel Belvedere *** or Residence Le Terrazze ***.
Island of Palmaria
Just under 60 metres wide, a channel separates the promontory on which the Chiesa di San Pietro stands from the 2 km2 large island of Palmaria, an oasis of peace and walks. Several marked hiking trails criss-cross the wooded and rocky island, and the rugged, wild coastline offers beautiful rocky mini-beaches for swimming.
The northern headland of the island, known as Gabbiani Beach, offers the best views of the town of Portovenere.
The islet of Palmaria, or its only village Terrizzo, is connected to Portovenere by a year-round pedestrian ferry that runs about once an hour.
The price is 5 eur for a return ticket and the timetable can be found on the municipal website: comune.portovenere.sp.it/palmaria.
In the summer season there are other tourist ferries from Portovenere and La Spezia to the island, details can be found on the website of the boat operator navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/island-of-palmaria.
Beaches and swimming
The rocky coastline around Porto Venere doesn't allow for long, wide sandy beaches, but you can swim in the beautiful rocky cove below the castle and church of San Pietro, known as the Grotta di Lord Byron, or Lord Byron's Cave.
This was one of the favourite spots of the famous English poet and writer.
A pedestrian promenade with several beaches with large pebbles winds along the coast towards the village of Le Grazie.
How to get there?
Unlike the "real" villages of the Cinque Terre, Portovenere is not accessible by train, but only by bus or boat.
You can get to Portovenere by bus line 11 from La Spezia, unfortunately line 11 doesn't go to the main train station but only passes by the port (about 1 km from the station) - see the line map in the Moovit app.
- Interval - 15-30 minutes
- Travel time - 30 minutes
- Price - 3 eur purchased at the newsagent
For timetables and the transport company's official website, visit atcesercizio.it/en.
Portovenere can also be reached by regular boat services from La Spezia and all the towns on the Cinque Terre. Boats run all year round, about 3 times a day in winter and hourly in summer.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Cinque Terre.
