Portovenere and Cinque Terre private tour from La Spezia

A Mercedes minivan instead of a crowded bus through Italy's most photographed coastline.

A private shore excursion from La Spezia port takes up to 7 passengers through Portovenere and three villages of the Cinque Terre in a comfortable minivan with an English-speaking driver guide. The 9-hour tour includes port pickup and drop-off, bottled water, and time to explore narrow alleyways, stop for photos, and optionally take a ferry through the villages or taste local Vermentino wine. The itinerary builds in flexibility so you set the pace through this UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Portovenere and Cinque Terre villages

• Stroll Portovenere alleys to San Pietro church
• Optional ferry ride to Vernazza for lunch
• Lunch in Vernazza by the bay
• Drive to Corniglia village
• Optional gelato or Vermentino wine-tasting in Corniglia
• Stop for photos and optional wine-tasting

The experience

The tour starts at the port of La Spezia and moves into Portovenere, a working fishing village where you walk through narrow alleyways to reach the church of San Pietro, which sits on a promontory with views across the bay. From there, you have the option to take a ferry (additional cost) that passes Riomaggiore and Manarola on the water before arriving in Vernazzo, where the village faces a small bay ringed by cliffs and two ancient watch-towers. The church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, built in 1318 with its foundations in the sea, dominates the harbor: a natural place to stop for lunch.

After lunch your driver takes you to Corniglia, the oldest of the Cinque Terre villages, built around the 11th century on a promontory surrounded by vineyards and olive terraces rather than directly on the coast. You reach it by climbing 365 steps or by a hiking trail from Vernazzo if you prefer. The tour includes time here for gelato or a wine-tasting of Vermentino, the local white wine that grows in the terraced landscape above the sea. Throughout the day there is built-in flexibility: you can stop the car when a view catches you, linger for photographs, or add a tasting without the day feeling rushed.

The minivan holds a maximum of 8 people, which means no queuing at village entrances and no waiting for a large group to reassemble. Your driver speaks English and Italian, and the tour is timed to cruise ship schedules. You provide your ship name, docking time and re-boarding time at booking so the return to port aligns with your departure. Bottled water is included throughout the day.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the day.
• English and Italian-speaking driver guide.
• Port pickup and drop-off in a private Mercedes minivan.
• Transport between all villages and stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Luccalimo

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a family or small group and want to avoid the crowds on larger coach tours. The minivan holds a maximum of 8 people, so you move through villages without waiting for a large party to regroup. Choose the ferry add-on if you want to see the villages from the water and have extra time for photos from the boat. Skip it if you prefer to spend more time on foot in each village or to move at a slower pace through the landscape.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can I take the ferry through the Cinque Terre villages instead of driving between them?

Yes, the ferry from Portovenere to Vernazzo is available as an add-on at additional cost. It passes Riomaggiore and Manarola on the water and gets you to Vernazzo in time for lunch, though you'll still meet your driver for the drive to Corniglia afterward.

What is Vernazzo like, and why is it a good lunch stop?

Vernazzo is a fishing village with proud maritime traditions, facing a small bay surrounded by cliffs and two ancient watch-towers. The church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, built in 1318 with its foundations literally in the sea, overlooks the harbor, making it a natural gathering point for restaurants and a memorable place to eat.

Is the walk up to Corniglia difficult, or can I drive there?

Corniglia sits on top of a promontory 365 steps above the sea, so your driver can take you by car. If you prefer, there's also a hiking trail from Vernazzo that climbs uphill through the terraced landscape, and you can arrange to meet your driver at the top.

How much time do I have to explore each village?

The tour is 9 hours total and includes flexibility built into the schedule. You'll have time to walk through Portovenere's alleyways, spend several hours in Vernazzo for lunch, and visit Corniglia for gelato or wine-tasting, with moments to stop for photographs along the way.

What happens if my ship is delayed or I need to return to the port by a specific time?

At booking, you provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time. Your driver will plan the return to the port to align with your ship's departure, so the tour fits within your time ashore.