Portovenere

Portovenere, literally Harbour of Venus, has a beautiful narrow and sheltered row of houses facing the sea.

The church of San Pietro lies right on the shore and is built in the typical Ligurian black and white pattern. From the Loggia of the Lovers you can see as far as the villages of the Cinque Terre.

Lord Byron loved to go swimming in Portovenere. The Grotta Byron was so named in memory of his visits. In August there is an annual swimming race to Lerici. The island of Palmaria off the coast of Portovenere boasts lots of walking trails, wonderful beaches and the Grotta Azzurra. It is a favourite haunt of the rich and beautiful.

On the Isola del Tino you will find a lighthouse and the ruins of the Abbey of San Venerio dating from the 11th century. It is only open on 13th September (or the following Sunday) – on the feast day of San Venerio. Isola Tinetto is the site of a ruined monastery from the early Christian period. Unfortunately it is closed to the public.

We recommend you catch the bus from La Spezia to Portovenere or take a trip there by boat. Parking spaces can be very hard to find!