Staying in Manarola for 2 nights and wondering what people think of taking the ferry to Portovenere and the 3 islands? Is it worth it, or should we just stick to our own part of the coast? Thanks.
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Martin Also, check to see if the weather effects the ferry schedule. I know the ones that go between the CT towns sometimes don't run when the water is rough meaning they could be cancelled all day! Bobbie
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
If you have the time, Portovenere is almost a 6th CT town. It's really quite nice. The ferry trip from Monterosso to Portovenere is extremely scenic although you can catch the ferry at Manarola. Note Bobbie's comment. When the seas are rough, the ferries will not run. This happened to us for two days before things calmed down enough for the ferry to run. Still, the seas were rough enough that the ferry only went to Portovenere from Monterosso and did not pull into any of the other towns. We had a nice lunch and took a later ferry back to Monterosso.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
On an Italy trip in July 2009 we enjoyed Portovenere. Took the boat from Vernazza and it was a beautiful day with perfect weather. Have been to the C.T. before but not Portovenere and glad we went. As others stated the boats will not run if the water is rough. Buon Viaggio!
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Martin Not sure what month you are planning to visit the CT but the ferries only run spring through fall. When we visited in mid April several years ago, the ferry had not started for the season. Bobbie
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
45 posts
We are going in THREE WEEKS. Can you tell I'm getting excited? It sounds like everyone enjoyed the trip to Portovenere. So if the weather will cooperate we will train or hike to Monterosso and catch the ferry so that we see the whole coastline, do Portovenere and the three islands by it, and then take the ferry back to Manarola. Thanks for all of the great comments. Martin.