Road Trip to Portovenere Italy: BEST Things to Do
We were on a merry road trip from Pisa. We spent some time in Lerici. Then we set off on road trip for next pit stop from Lerici. Driving from Lerici, the anticipation of discovering the next destination, Portovenere, filled the air. Part of the drive of 25 km was along the Ligurian Sea coast. The winding road hugged the coastline, offering glimpses of azure waters and rugged cliffs. With every turn, my excitement grew, and when Portovenere finally came into view, I was captivated by its charm.
We covered the distance Lerici to Portovenere by road in less than 30 minutes. The cheapest way to get to Portovenere from Lerici would be by bus. But the fastest way would be by ferry or a private car. If you are planning to take ferry do check out the weather report on the dates planned for travel. They cancel ferries on rough weather days.
Porto Venere Google Map
Portovenere is a part of UNESCO World Heritage site “Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)”. These villages date back to the later Middle Ages. Tourists usually ferry from Lerici to Portovenere and also to other little fishing villages along the bay of the Ligurian Sea.
Tourist Attractions in Portovenere Italy
Porto Venere Italy Travel Guide: Exploring the Enchanting Coastal Town
The compact settlements look colorful, clinging on to edges of the steep slopes of the mountains. Once you reach Portovenere, most of the attractions in the town are within walking distance. Here is a quick list of tourist attractions of Portovenere
- Porto Venere Regional Natural Park, a protected area with trails and dive sites, which encloses the Palmaria Island dotted with beaches and caves
- Church of St. Peter, the Gothic-style church
- Centuries-old Castello Doria, an imposing clifftop fortress with views of the Gulf of Poets
- Doria Castle (Castello Doria): Explore the medieval fortress perched on the hillside, which provides stunning views of the Gulf of Poets. The castle houses a museum showcasing the history of the area and offers a glimpse into the town’s past.
- Grotta dell’Arpaia: The cave’s unique acoustic properties have earned it the nickname “The Cave of the Harp.”
- Byron’s Grotto (Grotta di Byron): Lord Byron, the famous English poet, was inspired by this sea cave
- Church of St. Peter (Chiesa di San Pietro): It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Porto Venere Italy.
- Church of St. Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo) which dates back to the 12th century and features impressive marble sculptures and a tall bell tower
Porto Italy
Things to Do Portovenere Italy
Portovenere Revealed: Read on to know the Coastal Adventures, Seaside Serenity, and More
You can hike along the trails, discover pristine beaches, and marvel at the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean vegetation in Porto Venere Regional Natural Park.
Visit this beautiful church, Church of St. Lawrence, with its black and white striped facade and ornate interiors, a must thing to do in Porto Venere Italy.
Church of St. Lawrence Porto Venere
Visit Gothic-style Church of St. Peter, this iconic church sits atop a rocky promontory and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the town and the sea.
Take a boat tour to discover the enchanting Grotta dell’Arpaia, a sea cave with mesmerizing turquoise waters. Enjoy the scenic beauty and learn about Byron Grotto cave’s literary connections.
Take Boat Excursions to explore the nearby Cinque Terre villages, including Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. These colorful fishing villages are a UNESCO World Heritage site and are renowned for their beauty.
The crystal-clear waters of Portovenere are ideal for underwater activities like Diving and Snorkeling. Discover the colorful marine life, submerged caves, and hidden treasures beneath the surface.
Take a short boat trip to Palmaria Island, just off the coast of Portovenere. Enjoy hiking trails that lead to stunning viewpoints, relax on secluded beaches, and savor the island’s tranquil atmosphere.
Stroll along the picturesque waterfront Porto Venere promenade lined with colourful houses, cafes, and shops. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, indulge in local cuisine, and soak up the charming coastal ambiance.
Porto Venere to Cinque Terre by boat – things to do Porto Venere Italy
Parking in Portovenere
It is difficult to get parking space especially if you are have driven to Portovenere on a weekend. Rates range from 1.50 euros/hour to 3 euros/hour depending on the parking areas P1, P2, P3 and “IL GOLFO”.
Luckily we got a parking lot along a hillside main road, lucky because it was a Sunday. There were tourists in large numbers basking in the irresistible picnicking weather. We got mind blowing views of the harbor of Portovenere and the sea below from here. Portovenere is like another Cinque Terre town, beautiful with buildings having colorful facades in one.
Portovenere is famous for its sea food and wine, though we missed out on the first one, we very sensibly picked up a sample of the second one only to lose our senses over it later. Lots of places to have lunch if you are driving through and planned a small halt here.
Porto Venere Beaches
At a distance were the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. The vast blue sea soothed our eyes. The luckier tourists were there in their white sail boats and they made awesome pictures for me.
Where is Portoverne
Portovenere is a quaint seaside town located on the Ligurian coast of Italy in the province of La Spezia. Its waterside row of brightly coloured houses has helped to earn it UNESCO World Heritage status, but the town also boasts an impressive hilly backdrop and a petite patch of golden sandy beach.
Google Coordinates: 44.05415899884697, 9.836394074777978
How to reach Portovenere
…where Coastal Magic and Mediterranean Marvels Await
Portovenere is a compact and pedestrian-friendly place, allowing you to explore the charming streets and waterfront on foot. You have to figure out how to reach this beautiful seaside UNESCO credited town of Italy.
Here are some of the ways to reach Portovenere:
- By Air: The nearest major airports to Portovenere are Pisa International Airport (PSA) and Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA). From either airport, you can take a train or bus to La Spezia Centrale, and then continue by bus or taxi to Portovenere.
- By Train: Since Portovenere doesn’t have a railway station of its own you have to take other means of transport. The closest train station to Portovenere is La Spezia Centrale which is well connected to major cities in Italy such as Milan, Florence, and Rome. From La Spezia, you can take a local bus (Line 11/P) that operates frequently between La Spezia and Portovenere.
- By Car: If you prefer to drive like us, you can rent a car from the airports or major cities in Italy. We hired ours from Venice. Portovenere is connected to the mainland by a narrow road, and there is limited parking available in the town. Keep in mind that the roads in the area can be narrow and winding.
- By Bus: There are regular bus services connecting Portovenere with La Spezia. From La Spezia Centrale, you can take the local bus (Line 11/P) or the more scenic route, the “Golfo dei Poeti” bus (Line 11/). The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. This is the cheapest way to reach Portivenere.
- By Ferry: During the tourist season, there are ferry services that operate between Portovenere and La Spezia, as well as other towns in the area such as Lerici and the Cinque Terre villages. This is a scenic option, offering beautiful views of the coastline.
How much time required to tour Portovenere
Porto Venere is a small and compact town, and you can see the tourist attractions in half a day.
Parting Thoughts from Porto Venere Italy: An Impromptu Coastal Adventure
In my impromptu journey along the scenic coastal roads, I stumbled upon the hidden gem of Portovenere, nestled on the Italian Riviera. Portovenere’s natural beauty extends beyond its shores. Exploring the narrow streets and colorful houses of Portovenere are some of the exciting things to do. From its vantage point, I gazed at the Gulf of Poets, a scene that could have inspired countless verses and stories throughout the centuries.
I reluctantly left Portovenere Italy carrying with me the memories of its captivating landscapes, its rich heritage, and the unexpected joy of an impromptu adventure.
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Lokks lovely. I am planning to go to Italy this Spring, I may have to check this out.
A step into my favorite part of the world. I have been to Lerrici each time i go overseas.
Beautifully captured!
Congratulations on winning Hilary's Post of the Week Award!
Your images make «Louis» want to go see this in person!
I loved the pictures, especially the first one.
The Sea looks lovely !
Oh, what a beautiful this place is!
Fantastic views. Lovely Portovenere.
Lovely photos and gorgeous landscape!
Fantastic! What a beautiful place to visit. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos Indrani. I always enjoy my visits here.
beautiful pictures….especialy the last one
Lovely photos, Indrani! You had a beautiful view of the sea and harbor.
Lovely photos, Indrani! You had a beautiful view of the sea and harbor.
What lovely shots – and what an adventure for you!
INTERESTING SHOTS..LOVE THE FIRST ONE….graceolsson.com/blog
Beautiful shots, very picturesque.
I really want to learn how to sail. nice entry!
What a great place to visit. I wish I was sailing in one of those boats.
Wow.. Stunning views!!! Love the pastel colored houses in the first pic!!
I like the soft pastel colours of those buildings.
What a beautiful place.
These scenes make me want to board a plane for Italy tonight. 🙂
amazingly beautiful place!
lovely images!
Fantastic captures as always, Indrani! I, too, love the blue sea, the boats and the colorful houses! What a delightful place to visit! Hope you have a lovely day and a great weekend!
Sylvia
Your photographs are absolutely gorgeous. I love the blue of the sea with the white boats on it. The colorful houses in your first picture remind me of Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina.
Lovely tour with photographs.
Beautiful and unique photographs. What a place to visit.
Bella, Dear, Bella!
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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again, thanks for the tour.
Indrani, I spent many enjoyable days at Portovenere! Splendid views indeed!
Have you been to Santa Margherita and Portofino too?
I really envy you.
(I think I will have to really make that passport)
Wow.. what a beautiful place. I love the multi-coloured dwellings.
beautiful blue
Between the Devil & the deep Blue sea
When i see this
I want to sail 🙂
That's typical Europe "sailing"
Did you try is also 😉
Lovely shots !!
Beautiful pictures.Greetings Andrzej.
Good pictures of the cities and the sea Indrani.
Wow…..thats a nice location Indrani….. prima photo's.
greetings, Joop