According to legends, it was on this cape that the goddess of love, Venus, was born from the sea foam. Portovenere is a former fishing village surrounded by steep cliffs. Its name, Porto Venere, literally translates to the port of the goddess Venus (also known as Venus) - the most beautiful among the ancient goddesses and the patroness of love. The town, along with the islands of Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto, and Cinque Terre, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are in the Cinque Terre area, be sure to include it on your list of places to visit!

• The easiest way to get to Portovenere is by bus line P from La Spezia (they also operate frequently outside of the tourist season), by boat (in season, departing from the port in La Spezia), by boat from the towns of Cinque Terre, or by hiking trail from Riomaggiore.

• The port area has promenades suitable for strolling with a stroller. However, the charm of the town lies in its narrow streets and rocky corners, which are difficult to access with a stroller (a lightweight umbrella stroller may be more suitable).
• In winter, with good visibility, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Apuan Alps from here.

Portovenere - what to see?

The town itself, although small, has many charming corners from which you can enjoy incredible views of the steep rocky cliffs and nearby islands. You definitely won't miss its main gem - a small church located right on the cape, which you will notice as soon as you disembark from the boat or bus.

San Pietro Church

The church was built on the site of an ancient pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. It was constructed using black Portoro marble, which was once quarried in Portovenere and its surroundings. The church building features observation terraces that offer a panoramic view of the entire bay and the cliff-lined coast. The church is open for visitors free of charge.

Arpaia Cave, also known as Byron's Cave

In the wall in front of the church, there is an entrance to the rocky coastal area and Byron's Cave. The cave is named after the English poet Lord Byron, who sought refuge there for meditation. It is said that he used to depart from here to visit his friends in Lerici. Portovenere is home to several dozen sea caves, some of which can be visited during a boat excursion that enters into them.

Statue of Mother Nature

A round woman sits on a stone cliff, gazing into the distance. She is far from the current fashion standards. This bronze statue depicts a mother who gives life and then leaves her children in the world, silently and lovingly watching over them.

Main gate to the city and streets

You can't miss this gate! It dates back to 1113 and used to be the main entrance to the old town of Portovenere. It leads to the main street, Cappellini, where you can find restaurants and souvenir shops.

The Mills

These round towers facing the sea served as defensive and observation towers. They were also used as windmills for grinding flour. Today, they provide a scenic terrace where you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets.

Doria Castle

Its stone walls dominate the town. It used to be a citadel of strategic importance, situated in the middle of the war front between Genoa and Pisa. The castle can be visited, and the ticket costs around 5 euros. The main reason for visiting is the panoramic view from the terraced gardens, as there is reportedly not much to see inside the castle itself.

Portovenere - viewpoints

The whole town is one big viewpoint! Wherever you look, the views are simply breathtaking. Its charm lies in the many charming corners and hidden spots. One of the less obvious places is the viewpoint near the cemetery gate, above the San Lorenzo Church.

If, like us, you prefer wild rocky cliffs over benches, while at the cemetery, you can easily find the Mills and stone paths leading down - they will take you to the following terraces:

Sunsets in Portovenere

Portovenere is a town where it's worth staying until sunset. The sun sets towards the sea, and numerous viewpoints allow you to enjoy this spectacular show.

Hiking Trail above Portovenere with a view of the Bay of Poets

If you enjoy hiking, we recommend taking a loop trail above Portovenere, leading to the beautifully located Riffugio Muzzerone. The trail is rugged and stony, with a fairly steep ascent, but the views are simply enchanting!

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directions_walk

Trail above Portovenere with a view of the Bay of Poets

straighten 1.5km

timer 54min

north_east 216m

south_east 221m

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Author: Adelina
Publish Date: 2023-03-03