Palmaria Island Swim 2026

Portovenere offers a range of options including historic boutique hotels converted from 17th-century harbor houses and modest apartments overlooking the Doria Castle. Prices during the late May period generally range from €140 to €280 per double room/night. Visitors often choose to stay within the village walls to minimize travel time to the morning start line. Camping facilities are limited directly in the town but can be found along the nearby coastline, offering an alternative for those seeking a more rugged base.

The weekend provides opportunities to explore the Gulf of Poets through kayak and SUP excursions, allowing a closer look at the sea caves of Palmaria Island. Visitors can engage in trekking along the ridge trails that connect the coastal fortifications, offering elevated views of the swimming course. Gastronomy focuses on local Ligurian traditions, with opportunities for pesto-making workshops and tastings of Vermentino wines sourced from the terraced vineyards overlooking the sea, deeply tied to the rugged terrain of the Cinque Terre area.

1. Boat tour of the islands (Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto). 2. Trekking in the Porto Venere Regional Natural Park. 3. Visit to the Church of San Pietro overlooking the sea. 4. Excursion to the Cinque Terre (accessible by sea). 5. Lord Byron's Grotto.