How to get to Portovenere
We may sound biased, but if you’ve never been to Portovenere you really should consider a visit. But how does one get to Portovenere? Can you take a train or a bus, or do you need a car?
Here we go with some useful tips and information that you can use to plan your visit,
| Departure point | Means of transport | Transfer | Number/name | Duration | Cost* |
| From La Spezia | Bus | No | P Line | 30 min | €2 |
| Ferry boat | No | Several companies | 35 min | €15 (two-way) | |
| From Genoa | Bus | Yes | Train to La Spezia, then bus (P line) | / | €2 for the bus from La Spezia |
| Train | Yes | To La Spezia | / | From €8 to €20 | |
| From Lerici | Bus | Yes | L Line + P Line | 60 min | €4 |
| Ferry boat | No | Several companies | 30 min | €12 |
Where is Portovenere located?
Portovenere is located in the province of La Spezia, on the Riviera di Levante, in Liguria. The Levante Ligure stretches over 130 km from the eastern tip of the province of Genoa to the province of La Spezia. Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto dominate and enclose the Gulf of Poets.
Distance between La Spezia and Portovenere
Portovenere is only 15 km away from La Spezia, and one can easily reach it in about 20 minutes by car. The Cinque Terre is about 50 km from Portovenere in the opposite direction, that is to say toward Genoa. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, by car (shorter times available by boat).
How to get to Portovenere
Getting to Portovenere is not at all difficult. There are plenty of ways to reach the jewel of the La Spezia Gulf! You can find detailed information on the means of transport and where they depart from below.
To Portovenere by train? Not exactly…
Traveling by train is not the easiest, nor the most popular, choice for those who wish to visit Portovenere. This is because the train route doesn’t cover the whole coast: if you travel by train you’ll get as far as La Spezia, but then you’ll have to catch a bus or rent a car to get to Portovenere. You could also take a ferry from the port of La Spezia and cross the Gulf to Portovenere.
How to reach Portovenere from La Spezia
If you’re already in La Spezia you can travel to Portovenere by train, bus, or ferry. You can find detailed information on these means of transport below. If you have a car, you’ll need to secure a parking spot: check our page dedicated to parking in Portovenere for details.Taking the bus from La Spezia to Portovenere
Buses from La Spezia to Portovenere are handled by ATC. Take the 11/P bus (stops are in via Garibaldi or via Cavour): it will take you straight to Portovenere in about 30 minutes. Portovenere is the last stop, so no concerns about where to get off! Tickets cost €2 each. This is by far the easiest and most cost-effective way to get to Portovenere.Taking the ferry from La Spezia to Portovenere
You can also travel from La Spezia to Portovenere by ferry. All you need to do is go to the port and check the timetables: different companies handle the route, and the journey lasts about 40 minutes. Cost: two-way tickets for the Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti ferries cost €15 per person (reduced fee is €8). You can also choose the panoramic route, which costs €22 and includes a brief tour of the islands. Timetable: there are many ferries covering this route, at least 1 every hour in peak vacation season.
How to reach Portovenere from Lerici
Staying in Lerici? No worries, reaching Portovenere is just as easy! The ferry is your best option: quick and comfortable. Alternatively, you can take the bus: it’ll take you to Portovenere in about 1 hour.Taking the bus from Lerici to Portovenere
If you’re in Lerici and don’t have a car, you can take the bus. Keep in mind that it’s not the most straightforward journey: you’ll have to take one bus to La Spezia and then change and take the P line from there to Portovenere. There are no trains connecting Lerici to Portovenere, but you can take the ferry and travel by sea instead.Taking the ferry from Lerici to Portovenere
The ferry is a very convenient means of transport if you want to reach Portovenere comfortably. There are many ferries covering the route throughout the day, so it’s a great option if you’re planning a day trip: you can easily leave Lerici in the morning, spend the morning discovering Portovenere, enjoy lunch in town, explore during the afternoon, and be back in Lerici in the evening.
From Genoa to Portovenere
You can also reach Portovenere from Genoa: the city is farther away (118 km to be exact), but the route is better served by public transportation. From Genoa you can take a train to La Spezia and then a bus or ferry from La Spezia to Portovenere.
How to reach Portovenere from La Spezia
If you’re already in La Spezia you can travel to Portovenere by train, bus, or ferry. You can find detailed information on these means of transport below. If you have a car, you’ll need to secure a parking spot: check our page dedicated to parking in Portovenere for details.Taking the bus from La Spezia to Portovenere
Buses from La Spezia to Portovenere are handled by ATC. Take the 11/P bus (stops are in via Garibaldi or via Cavour): it will take you straight to Portovenere in about 30 minutes. Portovenere is the last stop, so no concerns about where to get off! Tickets cost €2 each. This is by far the easiest and most cost-effective way to get to Portovenere.Taking the ferry from La Spezia to Portovenere
You can also travel from La Spezia to Portovenere by ferry. All you need to do is go to the port and check the timetables: different companies handle the route, and the journey lasts about 40 minutes. Cost: two-way tickets for the Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti ferries cost €15 per person (reduced fee is €8). You can also choose the panoramic route, which costs €22 and includes a brief tour of the islands. Timetable: there are many ferries covering this route, at least 1 every hour in peak vacation season.
How to reach Portovenere from Lerici
Staying in Lerici? No worries, reaching Portovenere is just as easy! The ferry is your best option: quick and comfortable. Alternatively, you can take the bus: it’ll take you to Portovenere in about 1 hour.Taking the bus from Lerici to Portovenere
If you’re in Lerici and don’t have a car, you can take the bus. Keep in mind that it’s not the most straightforward journey: you’ll have to take one bus to La Spezia and then change and take the P line from there to Portovenere. There are no trains connecting Lerici to Portovenere, but you can take the ferry and travel by sea instead.Taking the ferry from Lerici to Portovenere
The ferry is a very convenient means of transport if you want to reach Portovenere comfortably. There are many ferries covering the route throughout the day, so it’s a great option if you’re planning a day trip: you can easily leave Lerici in the morning, spend the morning discovering Portovenere, enjoy lunch in town, explore during the afternoon, and be back in Lerici in the evening.
From Genoa to Portovenere
You can also reach Portovenere from Genoa: the city is farther away (118 km to be exact), but the route is better served by public transportation. From Genoa you can take a train to La Spezia and then a bus or ferry from La Spezia to Portovenere.
