The seaside village of Portovenere is located in the Gulf of La Spezia and is home to architectural remains that are important for their beauty and preservation: these include the ancient Church of San Pietro, the Genovese Fortress and the original city walls.

From the village, one can admire the archipelago formed by the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, separated from the promontory by an arm of sea called the Bocche di Portovenere.

This archipelago, particularly Palmaria, is popular with divers for the Grotta dei Colombi and Grotta Azzurra, which can only be reached by sea.

Since 2001, the village, islands and coastline up to Rio Maggiore have formed the Portovenere Regional Natural Park.

To visit:

The Church of San Pietro: erected between the 5th and 13th centuries on the ruins of the temple of Venus, it stands on the furthest point of Portovenere, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the open sea. From the portico on one side of the church, you can see the entire coastline as far as the extreme tip of the Cinque Terre.

The Grotta Byron: so named in honour of the English poet who found inspiration in this cave for the creation of so many of his works, its original name is Grotta dell’Arpaia and it is accessed via a staircase located next to the Church of San Pietro.

Portovenere Castle: built on the promontory, it offers a breathtaking view of the open sea. The castle is enclosed by mighty walls built on the edge of the cliff.

The Chapter Tower: is located at the entrance to the medieval town and to its left is the gateway to the town’s defensive walls.

The Church of San Lorenzo: of considerable artistic interest, it contains frescoes, paintings and sculptures of the Tuscan school.