Portovenere is one of the most beautiful villages on the Italian Riviera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set at the entrance to the Gulf of Poets on the eastern Ligurian coast. Its row of tall, colourful houses rising above the harbour and its dramatic clifftop church create one of the most photographed scenes in Italy.
Steeped in history and legend, the village is crowned by the Doria Castle and the striking church of San Pietro, which stands on a rocky promontory lashed by the sea. Narrow medieval lanes climb behind the waterfront, lined with trattorias serving the seafood and pesto for which Liguria is famous.
Just offshore lie the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, offering clear water, sea caves and sheltered anchorages. The surrounding Gulf of Poets, so named for the writers it inspired, is a place of exceptional beauty, with the Cinque Terre a short cruise along the coast.
With its dramatic setting, rich history and romantic atmosphere, Portovenere is a highlight of any Ligurian cruise. Guests can explore its ancient streets, anchor beneath its clifftop church and enjoy some of the finest scenery on the Italian coast.
