Cinque Terre boat tour: Private trip to five villages from La Spezia

A private boat cuts straight to all five villages instead of the train crowds

A guided day tour on a private boat departing from La Spezia that crosses the Gulf of Poets, passes the Byron cave and Palmaria island, and reaches all five Cinque Terre villages in three to four hours. The boat carries between two and eight passengers depending on the option chosen. A live guide speaks English, Italian or French. Ligurian cakes, specialties and drinks are included, along with reserved parking at the port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Portovenerepass by
2. Riomaggiore10m

Private boat tour of Cinque Terre

• Cross Gulf of Poets
• Coast Palmaria Island
• Visit Byron Cave
• Explore Portovenere harbor
• Visit Riomaggiore village
• Visit Manarola village
• Visit Corniglia village
• Visit Vernazza village
• Visit Monterosso village
• Return to departure port

The experience

The boat leaves La Spezia and heads into the Gulf of Poets, skirting Portovenere's colored houses and the church of San Pietro before reaching the Byron cave, a sea cave carved into the cliffs near Portovenere and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From there the route coasts Palmaria island (a roughly triangular landmass just under 2 square kilometers, its western side marked by sheer rock cliffs that drop straight into the sea), and enters the Cinque Terre marine park waters. The entire crossing takes in the crystalline coves and rocky outcrops that define this stretch of the Ligurian coast.

All five villages appear on the itinerary: Riomaggiore, Manarola with its distinctive Genoese houses and terraced vineyards, Corniglia perched above the sea (reachable by 370 steps or a bus from the station), Vernazzo squeezed between sea and mountains around a small fortified port, and Monterosso, the largest village, with its black-and-white striped churches and the 14-meter Neptune statue. The boat stops to let passengers see each one. Time spent at each village depends on the group's pace and interests. The return journey retraces the route back to La Spezia.

Onboard, Ligurian cakes, typical local specialties and various drinks are served throughout the tour. Bottled water is provided. The operator has decades of experience running this route on new boats built with traditional lines. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller and must sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are allowed. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the villages themselves involve walking on uneven terrain and steps.

What’s included

• Ligurian cakes and typical local specialties.
• various drinks from the region.
• bottled water.
• reserved parking at the port.
• live guide in English, Italian or French.

Options for this experience

7 options

Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

Up to 3 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

See 4 more options

Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English, French or Italian09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 14:00 and 18:30

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “You will find our skippers at the petrol station”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by 5terreboat

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants a private boat. You choose how many travel together and control the whole itinerary, rather than joining a shared departure.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Can I visit all five Cinque Terre villages on this boat tour?

Yes. The boat reaches Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo and Monterosso, stopping at each one so passengers can see the villages. Time spent at each village varies depending on the group's pace.

What is the Byron cave and why does it matter?

The Byron cave is a sea cave near Portovenere, carved into the cliffs and named for the English poet Lord Byron, who found inspiration there. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the boat passes it en route to Cinque Terre.

How many people can book this private boat?

The boat accommodates between two and eight passengers, depending on which group size option you choose at checkout. Smaller groups can book a two-person boat. Larger groups up to eight travel together on a single boat.

What food and drinks are included?

Ligurian cakes, typical local specialties and various drinks from the Liguria region are served onboard. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour.