Beaches in Portovenere

First and foremost: the beaches in the Portovenere area, and more generally in Liguria, are not wide. So, you’re not going to find the broad sweeping coastlines typical, for example, of Emilia-Romagna or Versilia. Most of the tourists who are visiting, or plan to visit, this area and the Riviera di Levante, in general, ask us about what the coast and the beaches are like here. The most common questions are whether there are only cliffs in Portovenere, whether there are sandy or pebble beaches, or whether one can access them free of charge if there are any diving spots, and so on. Read on for advice and tips on the beaches in Portovenere.

Sand Beaches in Liguria? Rare but breathtakingly beautiful

The Ligurian coastline is narrow, and space is limited… but then again, this is one of the most beautiful places in the world! Portovenere rises in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Mediterranean Sea: it’s called the Cetacean Sanctuary because bottlenose dolphins, dolphins, whales, and sperm whales come here to breed! And if our friends the cetaceans selected the Ligurian Sea, there can be no doubt that its waters are incredibly crystal-clear. Definitely suitable for those who want to dive or snorkel. Plus, the bays and coves are great for canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and stand-up paddling.

Beaches in Portovenere

Portovenere rises within a regional natural reserve – so crystal-clear water is guaranteed! Also, this is the same seawater where our mussels live and thrive! And the mussels of the Gulf of La Spezia are among the finest in Italy, both in terms of flavor and texture. The surroundings of Portovenere offer a variety of coves, inlets, and rocks, plus medium-sized and tiny beaches. To give you an idea of what options are, we’ve divided Portovenere’s beaches into free access beaches and beach clubs, i.e. those equipped with facilities such as sun umbrellas and sunbeds, showers, and snack bars. You’ll find a chart that summarizes the beaches, their distance from Il Timone, and the facilities they provide at the end of this page.

Beach clubs in Portovenere

Le Terrazze Beach and Pool

Le Terrazze Beach and Pool is a comfortable and intimate beach club where one can relax and enjoy spectacular views. Privately owned, it is well-equipped with sun umbrellas, deck chairs, and sunbeds. To be perfectly honest, you wouldn’t call it a “real beach”: it’s more of a seafront terrace where you can spend your time and have easy access to the sea, or enjoy the swimming pools. Important note: keep in mind that you’re on the cliffside and the water is deep right from the start, so keep watch over your children!

Bagno Arenella

Portovenere’s most family-friendly beach. The facilities include a seafront snack bar and ice cream shop, sun umbrellas, and sunbeds, and the seashore is sheltered. Reservations are recommended: if you book your sun umbrella and sunbed via the beach club’s website, you’ll avoid queuing when you get there or, worse, finding it fully booked. With the booking confirmation email in hand, you’re sure to get in right away.

Sporting Beach

A corner of paradise. Rising on a beach made of fine pebbles, and with crystal-clear waters, the Sporting is definitely Portovenere’s most exclusive and top-notch beach club. Parking is the downside: it’s really hard to secure a place for your car in this area. Check our parking in Portovenere guide for advice.

Fun fact: steps away from the Sporting Beach, a few meters from the shore, you can see a little blue boat. It’s a small gozzo, a typical boat purposely left there for a pair of gannets that have taken a liking to this area. These rare seabirds treat us to a unique and special sight every year, when they visit Portovenere to mate and nest.

Solarium on the Calata Doria

A few meters from the Osteria del Carugio you’ll find a small solarium. You can rent sun umbrellas and deck chairs, and rest while enjoying magnificent views of Palmaria Island and the Gulf of La Spezia. Peace and quiet are what you’ll find, and you can leisurely decide when it’s time to take a walk or when you’re hungry enough to treat yourself to a seafood salad or spaghetti with mussels.

Where to go for a swim

So, we’ve cleared the fact that in Portovenere we have “access points to the sea” where one can relish the view, take refreshing swims, relax, and sunbathe, rather than actual beaches. As for lunch, why not stop by Il Timone and have us make you a delicious picnic that you can take wherever you’ve decided to spend the day? How about a selection of focaccias? Typical, tasty, and easy to eat on the beach! Need some inspiration? Check out our selection of focaccias, pizzas, and traditional Ligurian dishes.

Byron’s Grotto

The inlet that shelters the grotto named after the great English poet is one of the most picturesque and beautiful spots in Portovenere. Located in a particularly colorful section of the coastline, it is extremely popular among young people who love to swim and practice their diving. Important note: keep in mind that there’s no sand here, so make sure you bring what you need to be comfortable on the cliffs and rocks and that you have non-slip shoes or sandals with you! The blue water is crystal-clear, so you’re sure to enjoy your swim, but because the rocks can get slippery, we strongly advise people who have problems walking or are not wearing the right shoes to choose another beach. This said, when in Portovenere you really should find the time to see this beautiful place!

Calata Doria

Calata Doria is another “access point to the sea” located on the cliffside near the medieval village. It’s a pretty spot for swimming and sunbathing, provided you have something sturdy such as an exercise mat to put under your towel.

Piazzetta Bastreri

A small sandy beach perfect for families with small children. Located steps away from Calata Doria it is easy to reach and very convenient if you want to be close to the town center.

Free access beaches: the eastern end

Mirella Beach

Mirella beach is located in a very nice area, and very easy to walk to. You’ll get there in just 15 minutes from Il Timone, and it’s also close to the Hotel Le Terrazze parking lot, which is open to non-hotel residents (for a fee). There aren’t any beach club facilities on Mirella beach, so you’ll have to bring lunch with you. Just drop by il Carugio, and we’ll get a lovely picnic ready for you. Seafood salad and focaccia, for instance… simply delicious! Check out our menu here. Once lunch is taken care of, all you have to do is relax and enjoy!

A free access shingle beach

There’s another free access beach nestled right in between Arenella beach and Olivo beach. It doesn’t have a name, but it’s easily accessible from the seafront boardwalk: just walk down the steps, following the sound of the sea, and you’ll find yourself in a peaceful oasis!

Olivo beach

Olivo beach is a shingle beach that rises in a beautiful spot, surrounded by spectacular scenery. One of the most popular beaches in Portovenere, it tends to be very crowded during peak vacation season. Again, parking is the downside: it’s really hard to secure a place for your car in this area, so we suggest you consider alternative transportation options. Though it’s a free access beach, it is equipped with showers and a jetty (that sporty swimmers use to dive into the waves). There are several snack bars nearby too.

Where to go for a swim: the western end

There are many lovely places where you can enjoy a swim, bask in the sunshine and enjoy the scenery even in the opposite direction, i.e. heading towards Campiglia/Riomaggiore. But, alas, the only way to get to most of them is by boat. Some, to tell the truth, can be reached hiking along the cliffside paths, but you need to be quite fit. So, we suggest you either rent a boat or ask a local guide to accompany you.

The following are among the most beautiful and unspoiled spots.

Nacché Beach

One of the most splendid, quiet, and peaceful beaches in the Portovenere area. Accessible by boat only, it is an authentic, pristine, calm, and beautiful natural haven blessed by crystal-clear water and lovely local flora.
Insider’s tip: get here early, and you’ll enjoy undisturbed bliss!

Punta Pineda

Another lovely beach, with natural seawater pools, perfect for a refreshing dip when the sea is too rough. It’s accessible by boat, or, if you’re in for some adventure, hiking: see directions to reach the Bozi of Punta Pineda on foot here. If you choose to hike, keep in mind that this hiking route is classified as moderately strenuous to strenuous, and you’ll want to take water with you: there are no drinking fountains or snack bars along the trail. It’s a challenging hike, but it allows you to enjoy spectacular vistas. Plus, you’ll really appreciate lying in one of the natural seawater pools once you get there!

Rosse beach

Take the boat to Riomaggiore/Cinque Terre and you won’t fail to come upon a wonderful sight: the Spiaggia delle Rosse, a wonderful natural amphitheater made entirely of red jasper and interspersed with coves and caves to explore.

 

Scoglio Ferale (i.e. Feral rock)

Close to the Spiaggia delle Rosse you’ll certainly notice a rock in the middle of the sea: that’s what we call the Scoglio Ferale. It’s not a real beach, but you can use it as your “base” in the sea, dive off it, and have a lot of fun!

Nere beach – Punta Persico

A beach made entirely of dark stones, which turn black when they’re wet. Its official name is Spiaggia del Persico, but the locals call it “nere beach”, namely “beach of the blacks”.

Canneto

Canneto beach lies just beyond the Scoglio Ferale and close to Riomaggiore, the first town of the Cinque Terre. It will take you 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your boat, to get here from Portovenere. There’s a freshwater spring on the beach, so it’s definitely worth seeing!

Renting a boat and eating on the beach

Want to spend the day in one of the beautiful spots described above? You can rent a boat from the Cooperativa Barcaioli: the office is located just across from Il Timone, and you can visit their website for information and reservations. 

Last, but by no means least, remember that these beautiful beaches and coves are spectacular because they’re pristine, unspoiled, and accessible by all free of charge. This also implies that they’re far from everything and everyone, and provide no facilities. This means you’ll have to think about bringing drinks and lunch with you: come to Il Timone, located just across the street from the Cooperativa Barcaioli, we’ll be glad to get a lovely picnic lunch ready for you!

Choices available include focaccias, pizza, and traditional Ligurian dishes, all packaged in state-of-the-art takeaway containers that allow you to carry lunch with you wherever you’re going. Choose what you like best, and we’ll make it and have it all ready, with silverware and napkins, for when you board.

Browse our menu and choose your picnic lunch.

Beaches in Portovenere: beyond the town

Those unfamiliar with Portovenere and its surroundings may want, or need, to know what lies just outside the main town, i.e. what the neighboring boroughs are called and where they are. Fezzano, the first village-like group of houses one sees coming from La Spezia, is located in an inlet on the western side of the gulf, at the foot of Mount Castellana. Le Grazie, the other neighboring borough, is closer to Portovenere.

Beaches between La Spezia and Portovenere

Looking for a convenient, easy-to-reach beach in the high season? You could consider moving slightly outside Portovenere, toward La Spezia, not too far from the town. In this case, your options are:

Cadimare

Cadimare, one of the thirteen seaside villages in the Gulf of La Spezia, offers a quiet little sandy bay. Very popular among locals, especially those with children, it’s a nice place where one can spend a pleasant day. There’s a soccer field, too, where you can play with friends. Access to the bay is free of charge, but there are deckchairs and sunbeds for rent, as well as bathrooms, showers, and snack bars nearby.

Free access beach in Le Grazie

There’s a free access sandy beach in Le Grazie that is very convenient for those with small children. Parents can rest easy because it’s very safe, perfect for building sandcastles and playing marbles. Plus, you can take lovely walks under the pine trees.

There are no dog-friendly beaches in Portovenere.

Looking for beaches on Palmaria Island? Check out our page on Palmaria and the Archipelago for information!