Palmaria Island: landmarks and beaches

Palmaria’s Historical Background

Palmaria Island was considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 1997, along with Portovenere and the Cinque Terre. This destination occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the Gulf of the Poets in La Spezia, which historically took a defensive role for the regional states protecting the beach and La Spezia’s port. This destination is also widely known by its legends, like the Grotta Azzurra, a famous cave known by the striking blue of its bright waters, traditionally believed to be protected by marine deities.

How to get to the island

If you want to come to this mysterious place, you have two main transportation options: 

● Ferry services: if you wish to visit the area on your own and stop at the sites that interest you the most, or walk to every corner, you can use the ferry. Ferry is a practical means of transport, available at almost any time, that allows you to get to the island. Once there, you can get off the ferry and go walking through it or use other means of transport to get from one side of the island to the other. Ferries usually take off from Portovenere and ticket prices are around 15 euros and there are multiple daily ferry routes. 

● Boat tours: You can find a boat that will take you to the destination taking off in Portovenere. You can see the sunset from the boat or even visit the cave, with lunch included, in a magical outing for around 70 euros. To have a more private experience, you can look for private renting, where prices may differ widely from one owner to another. 

What to do in Palmaria

Palmaria is an excellent location to go hiking due to the plentiful plant and animal species, and diverse landscapes with distinct topography that will defy your daily training routine:

Hiking Trails and Viewpoints

The first recommended hiking trail is the circumnavigation, called Periplo dell’isola Palmaria. This route bypasses the area and offers spectacular views and the islands of Tino and Tinetto. You will find some main points of interest of Palmaria like the cove of Pozzale (Cala del Pozzale), the Grotta Azzurra or the Punta Carlo Alberto. This route lasts around 3 hours and the level of difficulty is moderate. Another recommended route is the Monte Muzzerone route, which takes you to the highest point of the island (Monte Muzzerone) offering unforgettable views of the Gulf of La Spezia and the Cinque Terre National Park. Throughout the 3 hours of walk along rocky and steep areas, you will visit landmarks like the Fort Cavour and armored tower of Umberto I (Torre Corazzata Umberto I) or the Cala del Pitonetto.

Palmaria Island´s beaches

After a good hike, it is necessary to refresh ourselves and take time to relax on the best beaches that the island has to offer. Therefore, we can also give some advice on where to go anytime you need to relax: 

The first recommendation is the Punta Secco beach (Spiaggia di Punta Secco), a beach with crystal-clear water whose coastline is a mix between sand and pebbles. The amazing seabed blends easily with the depths of the ocean in an open sea leaving Terrizzo on its east side and the Pozzale beach on its southern side. This beach offers the perfect space to either stay calmly enjoying the sun on the shore, or going for a deep swim. The second recommendation is the Cala Fornace (Cala della Fornace), an evocative and intimate cove that will let you find the peace you need away from the crowds. This cove is only accessible by the sea and its beaches are made of gravel and pebble surrounded by vegetation. The last recommendation of  Palmaria island´s beaches is Terrizzo beach, a very-well located beach next to the port, free and easily accessible to the visitors. 

Landmarks in Palmaria

For those of you who are keen on culture, going around the isle you can see fascinating monuments that will help you better understand the history of this magical place. 

The Fortress Umberto I (Forte Umberto I) dates back to the 19th entury and is commonly used for the hosting of weddings and other ceremonial acts. This fortress is a military structure named after Umberto I of Italy when it was built by the Royal Navy (Regia Marina) under his reign. Initially, it was a defensive system to protect the coastal area of the Gulf of La Spezia and the ship base of the area. The Fortress Umberto I was designed to resist maritime and land attacks with a panoramic view of the gulf as it is in one of the highest points. Next, you can visit the Semaforo Battery (Batteria Semaforo), a military fortification built on the highest side of the island with a former circular tower that would alert the town about the Turkish attack. During the second half of the 19th entury, the battery of the station was built in the highest part of it with the intention of reaching out the enemies ships’ decks. Later on, it was transferred to the Portovenere’s local council, who restored it and used it as a shelter and an environmental education center. 

The Church of St. Peter (Chiesa di San Pietro), contrary to what many may think, isn’t located o Palmaria Island, but in Portovenere. This place, besides offering mind-blowing views, is one of the most symbolic landmarks of the city and was built on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple devoted to Venus. It is the first Christian of this area dating back to the 5th century, and whose modifications were made between 1256 and 1257. In 1494, a severe fire struck the city and the Church was also affected, which was later stricken with the attacks of Charles VII’s fleet. Finally, the mesmerizing Colombi cave (Grotta dei Colombi) is one of the most interesting geologic formations with limestones and other sedimentary rocks shaped by the action of the sea. This is due to its location, a cliff located in the southern side of Palmaria facing the open sea with an altitude of 30 meters above sea level. 

Restaurants

To finish an amazing day, enjoy a wonderful dinner at one of the fantastic places you can find in either Portovenere or Palmaria. We can offer some dining options to choose the one that best fits your preferences: 

● Locando Lorena: this is one of the most popular dining restaurants of the area. Although not in the isle, you will have the privilege of tasting an exquisite selection of fresh seafood with a glass of wine while enjoying a spectacular view to the sea. The price range goes from 50 to 100 euros. 

● Ristorante Palmaria: located in Portovenere, this restaurant can offer you a premium experience with exclusive high-cuisine dishes that use fresh local products. You can either have dinner inside, or go outside Palmaria’s Restaurant to its outstanding terrace from where you will see the Portovenere’s port just 50 meters away. 

● Il Gabbiano: this restaurant is located on Palmaria Island, which is a great advantage. Il Gabbiano is very well known for its fresh seafood and traditional Italian cuisine. If you want to have a tasty dinner with the Portovenere and Church of St.Peter’s views, this is your place. The main recommendation here is to try the marinated fish with a selection of wines of the area. 

● Bar Il Timone: in this restaurant you will find local Italian dishes rooted in traditional recipes of the area. Moreover, this restaurant is environmentally green as it cultivates its own vegetables used in their dishes and Italian cuisine, growing fresh seasonal products to enjoy typical Ligurian dishes overlooking the sea.

Recommendations before traveling

To have a great time during your visit, it is recommended to follow some tips on when to visit and where to go, especially if you are taking the risk of running out of time. Therefore, we can provide you some useful guidelines on the lines below: 

When to Visit: Weather and Activities

Palmaria is in the Mediterranean area, that means that during spring and summer is the best time to visit to this destination. During the months of April and May, the temperature is warm and sunny, which makes it the perfect scenario to do some open-air activities like hiking. During the months of June, July and August, temperature might be hotter, but it is the perfect moment to go if what you are looking for is spending time at the beaches in Palmaria. 

Palmaria's Beauty: Best Viewpoints in Palmaria

To take pictures with great light and unbelievable views, you can go to the Punta Secco viewpoint. Here, you can have overwhelming panoramic views of the sea and its neighboring islands. Another option is the Fort Cavour (Torre Corazzata Umberto I), the former military fortress with panoramic views to the Gulf of La Spezia and the Portovenere town. Faro di Punta Scuola is a military building, requested by the Republic of Genoa between the 16th and 17th century to protect the coast. Nowadays, this building has a pentagonal shape with the capacity to host between 8 and 10 people, you can see it very close and have wonderful views of the sea. 

Packing your luggage for Palmaria

Depending on the time of the year you go to Palmaria island in Italy, temperatures can vary from warm to really hot, so there we recommend you take cotton breathable clothing, shorts and skirts. Since Palmaria is an island, you will probably need your swimsuit or bikini to go for a swim or lay down on your towel while taking advantage of some rays of sun. However, don’t forget to pack long-sleeve t-shirts and comfortable sweatpants if you are planning on hiking. Regarding footwear, pack your sports shoes, your flip-flops and trekking shoes if needed. 

Try to go as lightweight as possible with very little luggage with just the amount of clothes needed, your toilet kit, first-aid kit and your bottle of water. Don’t take too much or anything unnecessary.

More Questions about Palmaria Island

How do I get to Palmaria from La Spezia?

If you are staying in our hotel NH La Spezia, we guess you will need transportation from the very center of the city to the Island. You can first drive on your own private car to La Spezia’s port, or take a bus that will get you there. Once in the port, you can take the ferry to be on the destination in just 30 minutes. 

How long does it take to hike around Palmaria?

Palmaria is a very small island, so it usually takes up to 4 or 5 hours (the most) to walk around it completely. However, depending on your fitness level, it can take you the complete five hours or much less time than expected. The main and most important thing is to make sure to be wearing the appropriate footwear and sunscreen to make the route as comfortable as possible.

Is Palmaria accessible for families with young children?

Palmaria is an island with many different beaches. Therefore, you can either find plans and activities designed to just have a fun weekend with your friends, as you can find relaxing familiar plans to spend a good time with your children and loved ones. You can always travel to Palmaria and previously design your own personalized and loved vacations to make sure your little ones are entertained and having a good time.

Can I visit the island on my own or do I need a guided tour?

Palmaria is a very little island. Therefore, you can walk it on your own and see it completely yourself. However, if you’d like some historical background, you can always approach the Tourist Office of La Spezia to ask for recommendations and gather some information.