Portovenere and the Cinque Terre by boat

Take the ferry to the Cinque Terre

Scheduled ferries run by the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5 Terre – Golfo dei Poeti leave from the harbour of Portovenere and stop at Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso. Corniglia, the only one of the five villages without a landing, is reached by train or on foot.

The service runs in the warmer months, roughly from spring to early autumn, and trips can be cancelled when the sea is rough. Timetables change every year, so check them on the Consorzio's website before you set off.

Take a trip around the three islands

Three islands lie off Portovenere: Palmaria, the largest, Tino and tiny Tinetto. Together with the village and the Cinque Terre they have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

The island tour takes about three quarters of an hour and passes close to the caves and cliffs of Palmaria. Tino is a military zone and can only be visited for the feast of San Venerio, patron saint of the Gulf, in September.

You can also go ashore on Palmaria: a few minutes by boat from the harbour you will find pebble beaches and scenic footpaths.

Choose a private boat

If you want to decide where to stop, a private boat gives you the most freedom: you can swim in a small cove, see the Cinque Terre at sunset or arrive in Portovenere straight from the sea.

At Capitolare Tower we arrange boat trips and private transfers by sea: you will find our ideas on the Explore the sea page, or write to us and we will take care of everything.

A few practical tips

• Check the weather and the sea the evening before you leave.
• Bring a light jacket: out at sea you feel the wind even in summer.
• Pack water, sun cream and comfortable shoes for walking up into the villages.
• In the evening, enjoy being back in Portovenere on the Tower's terrace.