PORTOVENERE AND SURROUNDINGS
Visiting this ancient village means discovering one of the most beautiful spots in Liguria.
Together with the park of the Cinque Terre and the islands Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, Portovenere has been declared U N E S C O World Heritage site.
The surroundings form a natural park and a marine protected area.
The typical fishermen houses, built in a terraced way and painted in the typical Ligurian colours, the small church of San Pietro,
built on the farthest land peak and the Castle of the 12th Century looking onto the entire town are the main elements characterizing this unique landscape.
Where is Portovenere?
The town of Portovenere is in Northern Italy, in the province of La Spezia, at the farthest point of the Eastern Ligurian Riviera,
right at the beginning of the Golfo dei Poeti (Gulf of the Poets).
The narrow sea-arm nicknamed "Bocche" (mouths) divides Portovenere from the Palmaria island.
Portovenere’s history:
The origins of this small village date back to the first century a.d.: its Latin name “Portus Veneris” was due to the presence of a temple dedicated to Venus.
Nowadays at its place stands the church of San Pietro.
How to get there:
Portovenere cannot be reached by train from Deiva Marina, since the rail running through the Cinque Terre after Riomaggiore continues directly to La Spezia.
From the train station of La Spezia there is a bus departing at regular intervals to this destination along a 13 km and about 20 minute lasting route full of panoramic views.
The route runs through Fezzano, Acquasanta and Le Grazie. The itinerary is almost completely level.
Since on many trains passengers can transport their bike, you can easily cycle from La Spezia to Portovenere.
Furthermore, there is a boat connection run by “Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti“, connecting Portovenere with La Spezia and Riomaggiore.
There are no ferry connections for cars.
The paths:
Portovenere can be reached on foot in five hours.
Along the path starting from Riomaggiore, where the promenade "Via Dell’Amore" ends,
running through Montenero and Campiglia, there are breathtaking panoramic views between vineyards, olive groves and chestnuts.
The path is open during the entire year, when the weather conditions are favourable.
What to see in Portovenere:
The village itself, taking a walk along the sea and the port - where you will find numerous restaurants and bars - or the central road rich in shops and small restaurants.
Visit the famous church of San Pietro, from which you will enjoy a wonderful view from Lerici to the Cinque Terre,
the 12th Century castel, the shrines of Nostra Signora delle Grazie and of Madonna Bianca and
the Byron's Cave - where the English poet used to go, sometimes with Percy and Mary Shelley, searching for inspiration for his poems.
You should also discover the island of Palmaria and the so-called "Bocche" sea-arm, which once a year turns into a natural pool.
Experts of scuba diving should not miss the Equa shipwreck, sunk in 1944.
The wreck has remained practically intact and offers to the visitors an unforgettable experience.
Worth mentioning are also the mussel cultivation and the workshop producing clogs in Portovenere.
The Hotel Clelia Logis d’Italia in Deiva Marina, ideally located in Liguria between Portofino and the Cinque Terre, is the top address for high-quality hospitality and services.
The Hotel puts at its guests’ disposal detailed tourist information, maps, brochures, leaflets and photos on Portovenere and the surroundings.
The hotel has modern rooms and a suite that can be booked with B&B, half board (HB) or full board (FB) arrangement.
The hotel also features an a la carte restaurant and some holiday apartments in Deiva Marina and in the Cinque Terre.
Contact details and booking service are available online on this website or at www.hotelclelia.tel and www.hotelcleliabooking.com.
