It is situated at the west end of the La Spezia Gulf. It can be reached both by sea, by car or by bus.

In the past it was a Roman port, a Bizantine fortification, an hermitage for sailors, finally a bulwork of the Republic of Genoa. Till nowadays, if you follow the lines of the old buildings, the churches, the ancient roads all together tightened like a body on his guard this old village will give you the opportunity to live again, in your immagination, the strong sensations of the true and harsh Middle Ages.

On the Arparia promontory you'll see St. Peter church, in the Ligurian-Gothic style, which includes, in its inner part, the traces of an older church of the V century. This church was, in its turn, built on the founds of a pagan temple.

At the bottom of the village there is the church of St. Lorenzo, whose construction dates back to the XII century; even if it has been restored, it still shows the evidences of a proto-romanic art. In the black stone front we can notice a projection added in gothic times. Its interior is majestic and severe.

The castle of the XVI century is a very good example of the Genoese military art, it still bears signs of roman and bizantinian fortifications.

In front of Portovenere there are the Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto Islands.

» Palmaria
It is about 100 mt. from Portovenere and has a perimeter of about 6 km. The side facing Portovenere lowers gently towards the sea: there you'll find Terrizzo, a creek used as a ferry-boat call. The side on the open sea is a perpendicular "phalesia" where you find the "Blue Cave" and the "Grotta dei Colombi", the latter famous because of the traces of a prehistoric man.

» Tino
It is 400 mt. from the Palmaria, it has a perimeter of about 4 km, it has a triangular shape and there is the lighthouse of the Gulf. Some ruins of S. Venario Abbey. As it is military zone, access is not permitted.