While there are many resources online about how to get to Portovenere and Palmaria, I cannot seem to find a resource that explains exactly how one can experience the Blue Grotto on Palmaria Island. Apparently, you have to go in boats (similar to Capri's Blue Grotto) but unlike with Capri, there do not seem to be a lot of tour companies that come up in searches that take people into the Blue Grotto on Palmaria. If anyone has any info on this, I would be grateful! Thanks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
lisa,
I don't know of any tour operators that provide small boats to the Grotta Azzurra on Palmaria, but you might check the various ticket booths near the boat dock in Porto Venere. As I recall, there were some that offered tours, but I can't recall the details.
Posted by
OP
Albany, NY
238 posts
Thanks, Ken. I am the type that has to plan every minute of every day (LOL...maybe because I am former radio and TV broadcaster) so I will have to try and find some place online where I can book a tour or ticket on a boat.
Is Portovenere worth a day trip from Levanto? My Inn recommends Camogli. I wanted to check out Sestri Levante because that seemed like an appealing place to me. Then I read about this Blue Grotto near Portovenere.
I like to take photos, shop and eat. I am not much into hiking (not in good enough shape) or seeing museums/sites. So...on my 3rd day in the area I will either go North or South. Not sure...open to ideas.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
295 posts
I was in Portovenere in October and really enjoyed it. I was there just for 1/2 a day and that was perfect. Easy to walk around and great options for photography. I was able to find a company that runs trips from there to Palmaria island. They actually do all three islands. Here's the details. Departure time for boats from Portovenere: 12am, 2.30pm (on weekends and holidays: 10am, 11am, 3.30pm, 4.30pm).Price: 10 euro (6 euro for children aged 6-11). When you buy ticket Portovenere + Cinque Terre (~20 euro), this excursion is free of charge. A piece of advice: during excursion the islands are always on the right of the boat, so take a comfortable seat. After you have seen the smallest island of Tinetto, the second part of excursion begins - you will be told about and will be shown the famous caves of Palmaria, the boat can go inside of the cave but not very deep or approach them very close. !So you can take a seat on the nose of the boat in advance, otherwise there will be no vacancy after the first cave. The most famous caves: Grotta Azurra (The Blue Cave) and Byron (The Arpaia Cave). Looks like they do the caves.