Coast of Cinque Terre & Porto Venere

Livorno, Italy • May 16, 2016

Coast of Cinque Terre & Porto Venere

The excursion began with inclement weather, but conditions improved dramatically by the time our motorcoach reached Porto Venere after a 90-minute drive north from the port. En route, the motorcoach traveled through the Tuscany-Liguria border region, passing several notable industrial zones. Among them were large-scale marble processing facilities associated with Carrara marble—one of Italy’s most famous natural resources. Quarried from the Apuan Alps, this high-quality marble has been prized since Roman times and is recognized for its vast spectrum of colors, ranging from pure white to deep gray veined with blue, gold, or rose hues.

The journey also took us through areas devoted to the storage and transport of maritime shipping containers, reflecting the region’s strategic importance as a logistics hub for the nearby Port of La Spezia.

During the drive, the guide shared regional insights, including the historical practice of building homes high along mountain slopes. Residents in earlier centuries often constructed their villages well above sea level—not only for defensive purposes but also to avoid malaria-carrying mosquitoes. According to local understanding, these insects rarely fly higher than 40 to 50 meters, making elevated settlements a practical choice for health and safety before the advent of modern pest control.

Stop 1: Porto Venere

Our first stop within the Cinque Terre region was the coastal town of Porto Venere, located just south of the five villages traditionally associated with the Cinque Terre. Though not one of the five official villages, Porto Venere is often included in broader explorations of the Ligurian coast due to its historical significance and UNESCO World Heritage status.

The town is immediately recognizable by its vibrant waterfront buildings and narrow pedestrian-only alleys, which contribute to its preserved medieval character. Upon arrival, we began with a leisurely coastal walk of approximately half a mile, which offered tranquil views of the harbor and rocky shoreline. The absence of vehicles added to the sense of timelessness, with only foot traffic navigating the labyrinth of stone passageways lined with shops, residences, and cafes.

Our guided walking route led uphill through the historical center to the Church of San Pietro (Chiesa di San Pietro), an iconic black-and-white striped structure perched dramatically on a rocky promontory at the town’s southernmost point. Originally built in the 13th century atop the remains of a 5th-century Christian church and even earlier Roman temple, it serves today as both a place of worship and a sought-after location for wedding ceremonies—so popular, in fact, that reservations are often booked years in advance.

From the church terrace, we had expansive views of the Ligurian Sea and nearby coastline. A narrow, steep staircase provided access to an adjacent stone platform, offering an even more elevated vantage point. Though the steps were worn and somewhat slick, the climb was rewarded with panoramic, unobstructed vistas of the Gulf of Poets and the rugged landscape surrounding Porto Venere.

Church of San Lorenzo and Cliffside Cemetery

After concluding our visit to the Church of San Pietro, we continued ascending into the upper tiers of Porto Venere via a stone staircase that wound through the terraced town. The path led to the Church of San Lorenzo (Chiesa di San Lorenzo), a Romanesque structure built by the Genoese in 1098. Located above the town center, this church historically served as the main parish site for Porto Venere and remains a central architectural and religious landmark.

Adjacent to the church is a hillside cemetery constructed on a series of terraces. The site provides expansive views over the Mediterranean Sea and reflects traditional Ligurian customs of integrating sacred spaces into the natural elevation of the landscape. The cemetery remains in active use today and is notable for its dramatic cliffside placement, emphasizing both spiritual significance and practical land use in historical coastal communities.

After a brief walk through the church grounds and viewing areas, we began our descent along narrow, sloped passageways leading back toward the harbor. Though another landmark—Castello Doria—was situated further uphill, time constraints did not allow for the additional climb. This 12th-century Genoese fortress, located above the Church of San Lorenzo, is one of the most complete examples of coastal military architecture in Liguria and offers extensive views over the town and surrounding coastline.

With only 25 minutes of free time remaining, we returned to the waterfront to regroup with our tour group in preparation for the next segment of the excursion: a boat transfer to Monterosso al Mare, one of the Cinque Terre villages.

Coastal Transfer by Boat

After returning to the Porto Venere waterfront, we took a short break before continuing the next leg of the tour. As is common throughout much of Europe, access to public restrooms required a small fee—€0.50 in this case. We also used the opportunity to purchase bottled water and prepare for the boat transfer ahead.

We then boarded a scheduled passenger vessel for a coastal journey northward along the Ligurian shoreline. As the boat departed the harbor and rounded the rocky outcrop, it offered a commanding seaward perspective of the Church of San Pietro. Seen from this vantage point, the church appeared firmly anchored to the cliff’s edge, standing in sharp contrast against the open sea—an ideal moment for photography.

The route continued along a visually rich section of coastline, with the vessel passing rugged cliffs, terraced slopes planted with vineyards and olive trees, and clusters of hillside dwellings typical of the region’s centuries-old agricultural settlements.

The vessel made a scheduled stop at Vernazza, one of the five official villages of the Cinque Terre. Known for its compact harbor and colorful, tiered construction rising steeply from the waterfront, Vernazza is a quintessential example of Ligurian village planning. However, this stop was not part of our organized shore excursion. The docking was designated solely for independent travelers and local residents; our tour group remained aboard and did not disembark.

Following this brief pause, the boat continued its journey north toward our designated destination: the village of Monterosso al Mare.

Stop 2: Culinary Tasting and Village Walk in Monterosso al Mare

Upon arriving in Monterosso al Mare—the northernmost and largest of the Cinque Terre villages—we began with a scheduled tasting at a local restaurant situated near the waterfront. The tasting included a glass of dry Ligurian white wine, characteristic of the region’s coastal vineyards, and a serving of bruschetta topped with two traditional spreads: basil pesto and black olive tapenade. Pesto alla Genovese, in particular, is strongly associated with Liguria, where the mild coastal climate and mineral-rich soil support prolific basil cultivation.

After the tasting, the group was given free time for independent exploration and lunch. We selected a nearby café and ordered a classic Italian dish: spaghetti Bolognese, accompanied by freshly grated Parmesan cheese and rustic bread. The meal reflected the local preference for simple preparations emphasizing fresh ingredients and regional variation.

Following lunch, we took time to walk through Monterosso’s old town district, where wider passageways and small open squares distinguished it from the more compact alleyways of Porto Venere. Monterosso is known for being the most visitor-oriented among the Cinque Terre villages, with a larger concentration of cafes, artisan shops, and accommodations.

To conclude our time in the village, we stopped at a local gelateria and enjoyed a single-scoop double flavor cone—Amaretto and Pistachio—before preparing for the return portion of our excursion.

Train Transfer to Levanto and Return by Coach

We reconvened with our tour group at a designated meeting point near the edge of Monterosso’s historic district and proceeded on foot to the village train station. In the mid-afternoon, we boarded a regional Trenitalia service for a short transfer to the nearby town of Levanto. This one-stop rail segment, covering just over four kilometers, is a logistical convenience designed to bypass the winding mountain roads between the two towns—saving approximately 30 minutes compared to motorcoach travel overland.

During the brief journey, we spoke with a couple from Cincinnati, Ohio, who were sailing on only the second voyage of Carnival Vista, then among the newest vessels in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet.

Upon arrival in Levanto, the group disembarked and walked a short distance to where our motorcoach was waiting. We then began the 90-minute return drive to the port of La Spezia.

During the ride, our tour guide—who also owns and operates an olive grove—offered an informative overview of olive cultivation in Liguria. We learned that all olives are initially green when formed and gradually darken as they ripen. The point at which they are harvested influences both their flavor and acidity: olives left longer on the tree develop into the softer, darker varieties often associated with stronger, more robust profiles. The curing process further affects their final taste and texture.

Following a full day of guided exploration, tastings, and scenic travel, many guests took the opportunity to rest during the return to the ship.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

Tour Summary

• Tour Name: Coast of Cinque Terre & Porto Venere
• Offered By: Royal Caribbean
• Total Duration: 9.5 hours
• Main Stops: Porto Venere, Monterosso al Mare
• Drive-By Highlights: Carrara marble quarries, Port of La Spezia container facilities

Activity Summary: Approx. 14,700 steps walked during the excursion.

Excursion Disclaimer: Descriptions of shore excursions on OceansAfoot reflect individual travel experiences and are not official representations of the cruise lines or tour providers mentioned. All information is based on personal participation, publicly available facts, or traveler observation.

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