Cinque Terre and Portovenere from the Sea: An Unusual Perspective

The Cinque Terre and Portovenere are among the most beautiful places in Liguria, and discovering them by boat offers a truly special point of view. With Popeye Boat Tours, you can enjoy a wonderful experience by sea and admire these iconic villages from an unusual perspective. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Portovenere await you.

Monterosso

Monterosso is an historical seaside village located in the center of a natural gulf. The town is divided into two parts: the old part, or historical center, where the boats dock, and the new part, called Fegina, where you can find the train station and the famous statue of Neptune. Monterosso is less rugged and steep than the other villages of the Cinque Terre and it is also the largest. Its old town is characterized by the typical Ligurian “carruggi”, narrow streets and alleys where visitors can discover bars, restaurants, and delicious local products.

Monterosso has a wide selection of accommodations. We are affiliated with Simona, whose accommodations will make you feel at home.

Simona has available two apartments that you can choose to best suit your needs:

• Two-bedroom apartment for up to four people
• One-bedroom apartment with sofa bed for up to four people

Vernazza

Vernazza, one of the five centuries-old villages, is perched on the slopes of a rocky spur. It is characterized by steep and narrow streets that descend toward the marina, surrounded by colorful houses, the medieval church of Santa Margherita of Antiochia, and the Belforte Tower of the Doria Castle. Arriving in Vernazza by sea allows you to admire the colorful houses and the medieval church from a unique perspective.

Corniglia

Corniglia is suspended between land and sea, as it is the only one of the five villages that is inaccessible by sea. This Roman hamlet, surrounded by vineyards and terraces, is perched on a cliff 100 meters above the sea. To arrive in the town, you have to go up the “Lardarina”, a long brick stairway of 377 steps. During a boat excursion, however, you can admire Corniglia in all its majesty from the water, appreciating its dramatic position above the coastline.

Manarola

Manarola is perched on a steep promontory of dark rock and is characterized by traditional Genovese-style “case-torri” facing the main street, which descends toward the marina enclosed by two rock spurs. The village is also known worldwide for its illuminated Nativity Scene made from salvaged materials. Seen from the sea, Manarola reveals one of its most enchanting qualities: the colorful houses blending with the landscape in a truly unforgettable atmosphere.

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre. Its vertically built houses, with slate roofs typical of the local “case-torri”, are beautifully colored and define this narrow village set between two steep terraced hills that descend dramatically to the sea. From a boat excursion, you can admire the panorama in its entirety. Riomaggiore is also where the famous “Via dell’Amore” begins, a path celebrated for its romantic atmosphere and breathtaking landscape.

Portovenere

Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a medieval village characterized by traditional tall Ligurian houses, narrow, very colorful, and facing the harbor. It is known around the world for its stunning church situated at the top of a promontory on the sea and for the Grotta di Byron, a small natural rocky bay between the church and the castle wall, named after the English poet who found inspiration here. Reaching Portovenere by sea allows you to admire the whole town, the promontory, the colorful houses, the castle, and San Pietro Church all at once.

Discover Liguria by Boat

A boat tour is more than just an excursion. It is a chance to discover the beauty of the Cinque Terre and Portovenere from an unusual perspective, surrounded by the sea, the colors of the villages, and the unique charm of the Ligurian coast. Popeye Boat Tours offers this wonderful experience by sea, giving visitors the opportunity to see these extraordinary destinations in a memorable and authentic way.