For those who love Mediterranean vegetation, excursions, beautiful sea, and tranquility, Palmaria island, the largest in Liguria and the Portovenere archipelago, is heaven on earth. Together with the small islands of Tino and Tinetto, it draws almost three suspension dots on the Gulf of Poets, of which the archipelago has contributed in a decisive way to writing history, for example, by giving birth to San Venerio.
The island has been under the control of the Navy for a long time and still is in part. This is because, since the Napoleonic era, the Gulf and its island have been tagged as strategic for the maritime defense of the peninsula. Napoleon and later the Kingdom of Italy built important fortifications on its surface and on the entire coast, and a prison of forced labor which can still be reached with the suggestive stairway of the condemned. During the Second World War, Palmaria Island was a fundamental anti-aircraft attack point, evidenced by the numerous war posts still visible.
Palmaria Island Beaches
The military presence, so crucial for the history of the whole territory, has allowed the preservation of nature and the sea to reach extraordinary shades of blue. The blue cave of Palmaria Island, which can be reached by boat or kayak, is one of these most beautiful sea points, not only in the Gulf but in Italy. Even the Palmaria Island beaches are among the most pristine, suggestive, and most loved by the locals. The beaches of Carlo Alberto and Pozzale are the most popular, along with the Island’s only equipped facility, located right in front of Portovenere, on the Island’s tip.
- The Gabbiano: a fully equipped private facility located on the Punta in front of Portovenere. Its location makes it exposed to the sea current and the wind, therefore pleasant on the hottest summer days. The beach has a pebble bottom.
- Punta Secco: a gravel beach, a shallow and sandy seabed, and the beautiful view of Portovenere, which, together with the proximity to the Terrizzo, make it a very appreciated swimming destination for locals in the summer.
- Carlo Alberto: it takes its name from the small battery located very close to the extreme tip of the Island, almost opposite the church of San Pietro, with a beach characterized by large pebbles (not very comfortable). The exposure and current of the Portovenere canal make the water always particularly clean and fresh.
- Cala Maiella: it can be reached by a path that is not easily passable on the route that joins Terrizzo to Pozzale on the side facing the Gulf, characterized by the frequent presence of white trunks carried by the waves and by the shade that soon reaches the beach.
- Il Pozzale: a beach loved by the people of La Spezia, can be easily reached with our direct ferry from La Spezia or from the trail that allows you to walk the entire Island. The seabed is irregular, the beach is surrounded by a light rock which makes the summer days rather hot, and the pine forest behind it, partly occupied by the military aeronautics, offers good refreshment. The view that can be enjoyed in complete tranquility from the Pozzale is among the most beautiful in the Gulf.
Trekking on the Palmaria Island
For those who love trekking in nature, it is recommended to go on a tour around the Island, which takes about two hours, and good trekking shoes. You will have a splendid point of view on the characteristic white cliffs that slope down towards the sea, diving here and there in beautiful waters.
Palmaria Island has a triangular shape: the sides towards Portovenere and the Gulf of La Spezia are the most populated. Here it is possible to find some private houses, a restaurant, and public and reserved beaches for Navy and Air Force employees. On this side, the coast slopes gently down to sea level, covered by the typical Mediterranean vegetation; the side facing west towards the open sea, more impervious, is instead characterized by high and bright white cliffs overlooking the water, with numerous caves.
Palmaria Island has a triangular shape: the sides towards Portovenere and the Gulf of La Spezia are the most populated. Here it is possible to find some private houses, a restaurant, and public and reserved beaches for Navy and Air Force employees. On this side, the coast slopes gently down to sea level, covered by the typical Mediterranean vegetation; the side facing west towards the open sea, more impervious, is instead characterized by high and bright white cliffs overlooking the water, with numerous caves.
If you want to avoid going around the Island, you can walk a shortcut toward its center. For example, along the stairway of the convicts (scala dei condannati), it is possible to reach Forte Umberto I along the stairway that those condemned to forced labor, prisoners at Varignano, walked down to build the fort.
It is essential to be adequately equipped to trek around the Island and to appreciate the difficulty of some stretches. Therefore, sports clothing, shoes, and a water bottle are crucial.
How to reach the Palmaria Island
It is essential to be adequately equipped to trek around the Island and to appreciate the difficulty of some stretches. Therefore, sports clothing, shoes, and a water bottle are crucial.
