Porto Venere
Porto Venere is a harbor village at the southern tip of the Gulf of La Spezia, known for its painted houses, the San Pietro church on a rocky point, and boat trips to Palmaria.
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Porto Venere sits at the southern tip of the Gulf of La Spezia, in the province of La Spezia in Liguria, northwest Italy. Tall houses in pastel colors line the waterfront, and the old village climbs behind them toward the Castello Doria on the hill. The church of San Pietro stands on a rocky point at the edge of the sea. The village and nearby islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site, listed together with the Cinque Terre. Palmaria, the largest of the islands, lies just offshore.
Boats and buses run from La Spezia, and in the warmer months boats continue to the Cinque Terre villages. Spring and early fall suit walking best, since summer draws the most day visitors. The streets are narrow and steep in places, so the walk through the old village takes time. A half day covers the waterfront and church. An overnight stay lets you see the village after the day visitors leave.
Porto Venere in five
- Take the bus or a boat, not a carParking is limited and the village center is restricted to traffic. Local buses run from La Spezia, and seasonal boats link the harbor with the Cinque Terre and the nearby islands.La Spezia
- Visit San Pietro and the grotto before 10amThe church sits on the headland and Byron's Grotto lies below it over slippery rock. Go before the day-trip boats land and wear shoes with grip.Italian Riviera
- Cross to Palmaria for a quiet walkThe island across the strait has trails, old quarries and small beaches and is a short boat ride from the waterfront. Check the last boat back, since sailings thin out after the season.
- Pair it with Riomaggiore, do not swapThe nearest Cinque Terre village is a boat ride away in season, so you can walk in the park by day and sleep somewhere calmer. Check the park's current trail and ticket rules before you plan.Riomaggiore
Need to know
- Airport
- Pisa (PSA) or Genoa (GOA), then train to La Spezia
- Getting there
- Train to La Spezia, then local bus or seasonal boat
- Getting around
- On foot; boats to Palmaria and the Cinque Terre in season
- Best base
- The harbor for evenings; La Spezia for cheaper rooms and trains
- Time needed
- Half a day to one night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Quiet, closuresJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closures
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Cool, calmFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, calm
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Early springMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early spring
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Fresh, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fresh, green
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, walkableMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, walkable
- JuneClear9 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°SwimmingJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swimming
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Peak crowdsAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak crowds
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm sea, calmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Mild, quieterOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Rain, windNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, wind
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Quiet, coldDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
Average daily high and low in La Spezia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Porto Venere
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
La Spezia
02:55 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°11°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°10°10%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu17°14°6%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri15°12°40%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Sat15°11°39%Saturday: Rain. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun15°8°44%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 44%.
Updated 10:37 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival PucciniPisa, a day trip
Day trips by train
- La Speziaabout 25 to 40 min by busA working port and the rail hub for Genoa, Pisa and the Cinque Terre.Read the guide
- Riomaggioreabout 45 min to 1 hour by boat in seasonThe first of the Cinque Terre villages, with the park's trails.Read the guide
- Cinque Terreabout 30 min by train from La SpeziaFive villages, trails and a park pass; plan around the crowds.Read the guide
Before you go to Porto Venere
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Rules for Porto Venere, checked
- Many non-EU visitors need no visa for short stays in the Schengen area. Check the Italian entry rules on the official visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, when you enter the church of San Pietro or other churches in the village.
Plan around Porto Venere
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideLa SpeziaThe rail hub and bus stop for Porto Venere
Read the guideRiomaggioreThe southernmost Cinque Terre village
Read the guideCinque TerreVillages, trails and the park card
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakHow to price regional rail legs
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 ruleHow long you can stay across Italy and its neighbors
Read the guidePorto Venere FAQ
Is Porto Venere worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a harbor with the look of the Cinque Terre without the same crowds. The church of San Pietro, the waterfront and sunset over the bay carry the visit, and it fits easily into half a day.
Is Porto Venere better than the Cinque Terre?
It is smaller and calmer, with fewer hikes and fewer places to stay. The Cinque Terre has the trails and the five-village scenery. Many travelers split their time between the two and sleep in whichever has space.
How do you get to Porto Venere from La Spezia?
By local bus in about half an hour, or by boat in season. There is no train station, so check the bus timetable and the last return before you plan an evening there.
Can you swim at Porto Venere?
Yes, from rocks near Byron's Grotto and from small beaches on Palmaria, but there is little sand. Wear water shoes, and keep to areas where swimming is allowed and the sea is calm.
Where should you stay for Porto Venere?
Stay in the village if you want quiet evenings after the day boats leave, or in La Spezia if you want cheaper rooms and trains. La Spezia also puts you close to the Cinque Terre.