Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour: Portovenere & Villages

St. Peter's Church rises from a rocky point you'll pass close enough to see the stone detail.

A three-hour sunset boat tour departing from La Spezia that sails past Portovenere's clifftop church, crosses into Cinque Terre National Park, and passes four of the five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia and beyond), while prosecco and local appetizers are served on the return through the Gulf of Poets as villages light up after dark. The boat carries a live guide in English or Italian and stays close to cliffs, hidden bays and coves unreachable on foot. A dip in clear water is possible near Corniglia in summer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour of Cinque Terre

• Relax on floating lounge before tour
• See St Peter's Church from boat
• Cross Strait of Le Bocche
• View Riomaggiore village at sunset
• Pass Manarola village
• Pass Corniglia village and enjoy aperitivo
• Return through Gulf of Poets at night
• Enjoy floating lounge before disembark

The experience

The boat leaves La Spezia as a floating lounge where you settle in before the engine starts. You'll pass St. Peter's Church first (a small Romanesque structure built on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea at Portovenere), then cross the Strait of Le Bocche between the Island of Palmaria and the town itself. That crossing marks the boundary: behind you is the Gulf of Poets, ahead is Cinque Terre National Park and the villages that cling to the cliffs.

Riomaggiore appears as the sun begins its descent, followed by Manarola (the most photographed village on the coast), and then Corniglia, the only one of the five without a port. The boat stays close enough to the cliffsides to show you the detail of the buildings and the way the villages sit on the rock. In summer, the water near Corniglia is clear enough that swimmers can jump in. As you turn back toward La Spezia, prosecco and local appetizers come out on deck, and you watch the sunset paint the water while the villages fade into darkness. On the return through the Gulf of Poets, the west coast lights up with small lights from Le Grazie and the other hamlets that make up Borgate Marinare: a view most travelers never see from the water.

The guide speaks English or Italian throughout. Soft drinks, beer and prosecco are included, along with tasty local appetizers. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces on board are accessible as well. Bring your own towel if you plan to swim. There is no restroom on board, so plan accordingly for the three-hour duration.

What’s included

• Prosecco, beer and soft drinks.
• local appetizers.
• a live guide in English or Italian.
• close passage past St. Peter's Church at Portovenere, the Strait of Le Bocche, and four Cinque Terre villages seen from the water.
• the option to swim near Corniglia in summer.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Friday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 16:30

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (2 to 6 years) · Infant (under 2)

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 floating platform with our logo”

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HOPHOP BOAT

Is this one for you?The three-hour duration means you leave La Spezia in late afternoon and return after dark, timing the tour to catch the sunset over the water and the villages lit up on the return. A sequence you can't replicate on a morning or midday departure.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years); Infant (under 2).

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 swim during the Cinque Terre sunset boat tour?

Swimming is possible near Corniglia during summer months when the water is clear, and you can jump in from the boat. Bring your own towel, as none are provided on board.

What is St. Peter's Church and where do I see it?

St. Peter's Church is a small Romanesque structure built on a rocky promontory at Portovenere, overlooking the sea. You'll pass it close enough by boat to see the stone detail of the building as it rises from the cliff.

Which Cinque Terre villages does the tour pass?

The boat passes four of the five villages: Riomaggiore as the sun begins to set, Manarola (the most photographed on the coast), Corniglia, and the fifth village on the return. You see them from the water, close to the cliffs where they cling to the rock.

What drinks and food are included on the tour?

Prosecco, beer, soft drinks (cola, juices and water) and tasty local appetizers are served, with prosecco and appetizers coming out on the return as the sun sets and the villages light up after dark.

Is the boat accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces on board are accessible as well. Service animals are allowed.

How long is the tour and what time does it depart?

The tour lasts three hours. You begin by relaxing on the floating lounge before departure, then sail past Portovenere and through Cinque Terre National Park, returning as darkness falls over the Gulf of Poets.