What to see in Portovenere in two days

Day one: the village

Start at Piazza Bastreri, where Torre Capitolare stands, and enter the old town through the Porta del Borgo, which still bears its inscription from 1113. Walk along Via Capellini, the main alley, between tall narrow houses and small shops.

At the end of the street you reach the church of San Pietro, at the tip of the headland, with its bands of light and dark stone. Below the church is Byron's Grotto, where the sea flows in between the rocks.

In the afternoon, climb up to the church of San Lorenzo, a 12th-century Romanesque church, and then to Castello Doria, built by the Republic of Genoa: from up there you can see the whole Gulf of Poets and the islands.

In the evening, go down to the harbour and have dinner looking at the colourful houses reflected in the water.

Day two: the sea and the islands

In the morning, take the boat to Palmaria, a few minutes from the harbour: you can swim, walk the footpaths or simply enjoy the sun.

In the afternoon, take the tour of the three islands, or catch the ferry to the Cinque Terre and get off at Riomaggiore, Manarola or Vernazza.

At sunset, come back to Portovenere and watch the light change over the sea from the Tower's terrace.

If you have an extra day

Walk the path that climbs from Portovenere towards Campiglia, above the cliffs, or spend a whole day in the Cinque Terre. For boat trips, tastings and outings inland, have a look at our suggestions.