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Porto Venere UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Porto Venere UNESCO sites

Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Vernazza Boat Cruise

1. Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Vernazza Boat Cruise

Experience the Cinque Terre coast by boat and take in gorgeous views of vineyards terraces and charming buildings from the sea. Make time to stop at Riomaggiore, Monterosso, and Vernazza along the way. Start at La Spezia's harbor and sail through the Gulf of the Poets admiring the magnificent village of Portovenere and the island of Palmaria from the boat. Reach the first village of Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, passing by the mesmerizing coastline with its famous terraced vineyard landscape and colorful houses. The city is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Here, visit the imposing church of San Giovanni Battista with your guide and enjoy some free time to stroll through the narrow streets. In Monterosso al Mare, explore the medieval historic center and marvel at the parish church dedicated to St. John, the Baptist. Then continue the sailing to Vernazza, the pearl of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza presents itself to visitors as the prow of a ship: most of the village is in fact built on a small promontory that ends at the sea with an imposing fortification system. At the end of the tour, enjoy free time and take the chance to taste the local wine and food, or go for a swim in the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean.

From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Speedboat Tour

2. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Speedboat Tour

Explore the beautiful cliffs, beaches, and colorful towns of the Cinque Terre on a sailing tour from La Spezia. You will see all five picturesque villages characterized by pastel-colored houses on a 4-hour speedboat tour. Start your tour from Passeggiata Morin in La Spezia and sail along the western coast of the Gulf of Poets. Admire the beautiful landscape of the four villages that make up the Borgata Marinara. Continue sailing towards Portovenere, where you will cross the Le Bocche, a strait between the town of Portovenere and the wild Palmaria Island. See the magnificent Romanesque church of San Pietro, set among the rocks and overlooking the sea. Discover the unspoiled coves of Le Rosse, Monesteroli, and Punta Pineda along the coastline. Grab a chance to dip in the pristine waters of the Cinque Terre Natural Park. Marvel at the beauty of Monterosso al Mare, the last and most vibrant of the five villages. Here you can enjoy local specialties such as focaccia with anchovies or delicious gelato. Pass through the famous muscle farms while returning to La Spezia. 

Cinque Terre & Portovenere: Boat Tour

3. Cinque Terre & Portovenere: Boat Tour

Departure at 10 a.m. from Passeggiata Morin, La Spezia, near the cruise terminal and the ferry embarkation point. The boat (10 metres) and the captain will be there waiting for you. You will sail along the borgate marinare, i.e. the small villages on the coast between La Spezia and Portovenere. You will see Torre Scola, an old military fortress built on a rock in the middle of the sea. We will pass through the archipelago consisting of the three islands, Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, which are still unspoilt places, until we reach the romantic Portovenere. Here you can choose whether to go ashore for a short visit to the town and the famous church of San Pietro, overlooking the sea, or stay on the boat and dive into the turquoise waters between Palmaria Island and the village of Portovenere. Continuing the tour, we will have time to approach the world-famous Grotta Byron, the red rocks and swim in beautiful hidden coves, in the crystal-clear waters of Monesteroli or under the natural waterfall of Canneto. From here we will enter the 5 terre marine protected area. We will sail past the 5 villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso), you will have plenty of time to take your photos, listen to interesting stories and explanations from your captain and take another dip. During this tour there is also the possibility to go ashore and visit the villages of Vernazza or Monterosso. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the dolphins that habitually swim near our shores. On the way back we will visit Lerici and Tellaro and swim at the Caletta, described by the New York Times as the 'Thailand of the Mediterranean Sea'. The tour will end at 6 p.m. at the place of departure.

Milan: Cinque Terre Full-Day Guided Trip With Cruise

4. Milan: Cinque Terre Full-Day Guided Trip With Cruise

Explore the Cinque Terre, one of Italy's most scenic landscapes, on a guided day trip from Milan by van. See Cinque Terre from different perspectives from a boat and a train. After leaving Milan by coach, arrive in Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the Cinque Terre's 5 villages. With no car traffic, it remains one of the truest fishing villages on the Italian Riviera. Restaurants, bars, and accommodation all have an endearingly homespun air about them. From Monterosso, start the final leg of your journey: a boat cruise, where you can admire the stunning views of the Cinque Terre and the delightful village of Portovenere from the sea. Arrive at La Spezia where your coach will be waiting to take you back to Milan. These 5 enchanting medieval villages cling to the coast, offering a breathtaking sight of the sea, and are now part of a national park listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

La Spezia: Gulf of Poets Boat Trip

5. La Spezia: Gulf of Poets Boat Trip

Sail along the western coast of the Gulf of Poets and admire villages that makeup Borgate Marinare. Cross the Le Bocche strait and stop at coves in the Portovenere Archipelago. Stop at the Blue Grotto, the Stella Maris, and the Portoro Marble Quarrie, and pass by a mussel farm. Start the sailing trip by following the western coast of the Gulf of Poets until you reach Portovenere. Admire the village of Portovenere and the wild Palmaria Island before stopping at a cove in Portovenere Archipelago, where you will have the chance to go for a swim. Hop back on board and head to the Blue Grotto. After seeing the Blue Grotto, visit Stella Maris and the Portoro Marble Quarries. See Byron's Grotto, where legend has it, Lord Byron lived and would swim across the bay. Discover the small town Lerici, where Mary and Percy Shelley lived, and other gems, including Tellaro and the Fiascherino's Bay. Stop in the bay and go for a swim behind Lerici's Medieval Castle. On the way back, pass by the local mussel farms.

Livorno Shore Excursion to Portovenere & Cinque Terre

6. Livorno Shore Excursion to Portovenere & Cinque Terre

Meet your private driver beside your ship at 8:00 AM for the 1.5-hour drive to the delightful fishing village of Portovenere, with its tall and colorful waterfront houses. Enjoy memorable sea views from the promontory where the Church of San Pietro stands. Its Gothic Genovese style dates back to 1256-1277. The church was built on the remains of an early Christian church and Byzantine abbey with parts of a heathen temple from the Roman age. At the foot of the promontory, there is a small grotto named after Lord Byron who took refuge here. From Portovenere, you'll begin your adventure through the five lands of the Cinque Terre, a landscape so unique that in 1998 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great way to discover this area is from the sea. You'll have the option of departing from the harbor to enjoy a ferry ride (additional cost) to Vernazza, a great stop for lunch at a restaurant set on the cliffs, looking out across the bay (lunch at own expense). The ferry journey will take you past Riomaggiore and Manarola with great photo opportunities from the sea.  Meet up with your driver and visit either Corniglia set up on the hill or enjoy a stroll around Riomaggiore or Manarola. You could continue on to the larger and busier town of Monterosso, but please note it is not possible to stop at all the villages in one day and for this tour, it is best to keep the day as flexible as possible and see where your journey will take you. At some places, you may wish to consider using the train and if the weather and sea conditions are good, the local ferry will be recommended. Wherever your journey takes you, you will return with wonderful memories to your ship in the port of Livorno at approximately 5:00 PM.

From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Lunch and Wine

7. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Lunch and Wine

Navigate aboard a 10-meter-long vintage wooden boat for an authentic Italian experience discovering the Cinque Terre. Embark on a scenic cruise across the five picturesque villages that make up the region, taste a delicious buffet lunch with wine, and stop to explore the village of Vernazza. Board your boat at Porto Mirabello in La Spezia and set sail along the striking Cinque Terre coastline. Become surrounded by towering cliffs and crystal-clear water and seize the chance to stop for a swim. Admire the traditional architecture of the ancient villages that make this area famous. Indulge in a buffet of regional products, such as bruschettas and cheeses, and sip on some sparkling Prosecco on board. Reconnect with nature and bask in the sun as you travel by Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, and Monterosso, and disembark to stroll around the charming Vernazza.

From Porto Venere: Cinque Terre Villages Boat Tour

8. From Porto Venere: Cinque Terre Villages Boat Tour

Relax on an amazing boat trip from Portovenere to the picturesque villages of Cinque Terre. Swim in the clearest water of the Ligurian sea. Admire the views of the coastline of Liguria from the boat. Sail by landmarks such as St. Peter's church, the Red Cliffs, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. On the way back we will stop to swim in a beautiful cove called "Tramonti", where you can see typical Ligurian houses built on the cliffs.

From Levanto: Cinque Terre & Porto Venere Day Tour

9. From Levanto: Cinque Terre & Porto Venere Day Tour

Experience an intimate boat cruise and observe the sun setting over Cinque Terre. Leave Levanto and Monterosso and appreciate 5 vibrant beach towns from the water including Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore on this boat day tour. Make a stop in the village of Vernazza, (only in the cooler and less crowded months) where you can explore for a while before boarding your boat to return to Levanto. Discover and learn about the Porto Venere village that George Sand, Lord Byron, and other famous poets portrayed. Stop by the intriguing Church of San Pietro, an old pagan temple with stunning ocean views. Hear the history and way of life in the area from your local guide. Tuck into an apéritif of regional delicacies while sipping prosecco and snacking on some traditional Ligurian dishes. In the warmer months, it is even possible to go swimming in the National Park's pristine waters.

From Florence: Day Trip to the Cinque Terre

10. From Florence: Day Trip to the Cinque Terre

Travel by train and minivan on this day trip to the Cinque Terre from the city of Florence. Explore the beauty of a coastline of dramatic cliffs and admire how the colorful buildings in each town contrasts with the blue of the sea. Meet your guide in the morning at Piazza Antinori in Florence. Sit back and relax and enjoy the natural scenery in the Cinque Terre National Park as you travel to Manarola. Have some free time to soak up the vibe in this town with only 353 permanent residents. Continue to Vernazza, which is known as the ‘pearl of Cinque Terre’. Let this ancient fishing village with lovely beaches enchant you as you explore its lively cafes, fashionable boutiques, and local crafts, or take some time to see the Church of Santa Margarita de Antioquia. Stop at Monterosso al Mare which is situated in a natural gulf. See the town at your own pace with some free time to lose yourself in its charming alleyways and narrow streets, or make use of the most extensive sandy beach in the Cinque Terre. Transfer to a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan for the drive back to Florence.

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What people are saying about Porto Venere

Overall rating

3.9 / 5

based on 296 reviews

This tour was amazing! Whenever I’m looking to book a tour I always check the reviews, so I hope this is helpful! Both tour guides were great, helpful and super knowledgeable, taught us so much about the different regions and the special things about them, and the driver was great! I truly recommend this to anyone, it’s a wonderful way to spend your time. Bring comfy shoes because it’s very steep steps, and some water with you!

It was lovely nice scenery trip had lots of fun. Very good driver and friendly too. Had a wonderful lady tour guide. And the places we went too was amazing.

Great Tour. Valerio is an excellent driver. shared his knowledge on Italian tradition , wine and food.

Great boat tour of Cinque Terre with an unexpected stop for an hour in Monterosso.

Most enjoyable activity being on the water fabulous