Private Shore Excursion to Cinque Terre from La Spezia

TOUR OF THE FIVE LANDS

**Departure :** Port of La Spezia (Polo Garibaldi) | **Timetable :** 08 : 00 – 15 : 40

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## Detailed Program and Roadmap

1. **1. Departure from the Port of La Spezia :** 08:00.
Meeting on board at the cruise terminal (Polo Garibaldi). The van NCC is waiting for you to get out of the city quickly and take the coastal road, avoiding morning traffic.

2. **2. Route La Spezia → Portovenere :** Duration : ~30 minutes.
You walk along the Napoleonic provincial road along the Naval Base. A pleasant journey through the seaside villages of Marola, Cadimare and Le Grazie, offering a splendid view of the Gulf of Poets.

3. **3. Stop in Portovenere :** 08:30-10:00 (1 hour and 30 minutes).
The driver will drop you off at the beginning of the pedestrian zone. You have an hour and a half to explore the village in total relaxation before the arrival of the mass of tourists.
*What to do:* Stroll along the Palaisade a Mare (the typical colourful tower houses), visit the spectacular Church of St Peter perched on the cliff and look out over Byron Cave. There is also time to climb up to Castello Doria or for coffee at the tables on the harbour.

4. **4. Route Portovenere → Vernazza (With 2 Photo Stops):** Total duration : ~1 hour and 25 minutes.
Go up from Portovenere to take the spectacular Cinque Terre Coastal Road (SP370). The NCC will allow you to stop in total safety at the most beautiful viewpoints for two special stages:

5. **5. Stop in Vernazza (Lunch and Extended Visit):** 11 am: 25 - 1 pm: 55 (2 hours and 30 minutes).
Thanks to special permits from the NCC, the car will leave you as close as possible to the beginning of the pedestrian area. With two and a half hours you have plenty of time to descend to the beautiful little square on the marina and enjoy a full Ligurian lunch (trofie with pesto, mixed fried food and a glass of local DOC white wine) without any hurry. After lunch you can visit the Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia or climb to the remains of the Doria Castle.

6. **6. Route Vernazza → Corniglia :** Duration : ~20 minutes.
Short and suggestive transfer by car that climbs the surrounding hill to reach the central village of Cinque Terre.

7. **7. Stop at Corniglia :** 2 pm : 3 pm - 2 pm : 55 (40 minutes).
The car deposits you directly at the entrance of the village, **avoiding the famous Lardarina staircase (382 steps) ** that faces those arriving by train. In 40 minutes you can walk along the narrow Via Fieschi, enjoy a homemade ice cream and reach the terrace of Santa Maria, the only viewpoint from which you can admire all five lands at once.

8. **8. Return Corniglia → Port of La Spezia :** Duration : ~45 minutes | Arrival at 15:40.
Take the Litoranea towards La Spezia. The descent to the city offers one last beautiful view of the inner harbour before leaving you back onboard at the cruise terminal (Polo Garibaldi) by 15:40.

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### Table of Times Summary

| Route / Stop | Timetable | Time Management |
| - - - | - - - | - - - |
| **Departure Porto La Spezia** | 08 : 00 | — |
| Travelling to Portovenere | 08 : 00 - 08 : 30 | 30 minutes by car |
| **PORTOVENERE STOP** | **08 : 30 - 10 : 00** | **1 hour and 30 minutes stop** |
| *Stop Photo 1 (Collina Spezia)* | *10 : 15 - 10 : 30* | *15 minutes stop photo* |
| *Stop Photo 2 (Hill 5 Terre)* | *10 : 45 - 11 : 00* | *15 minutes stop photo* |
| Arrival in Vernazza (Net Guide 55 min) | 10 : 00 - 11 : 25 | Total route including the two stops photo |
| **Vernazza stop** | **11 : 25 - 13 : 55** | **2 hours and 30 minutes stop (Lunch)** |
| Travelling to Corniglia | 13 : 55 - 14 : 15 | 20 minutes by car |
| ** CORNILLA stop** | **14 : 15 - 14 : 55** | **40 minutes stop** |
| Return to the Port of La Spezia | 14 : 55 - 15 : 40 | 45 minutes by car |

> **Travel note:** This itinerary ensures a perfect balance between Guide times and relaxation in the villages. Photo stops (10 : 15 - 11 : 00) take advantage of extraordinary morning sunlight, ideal for avoiding backlight on the sea and taking pictures with vivid and saturated colours.