Dolcevita Aperitif Golden Hour Cruise in Portovenere Archipelago

As you pass Torre Scola, you'll admire this solitary stone sentinel rising from the sea. Built in the 17th century to guard the Gulf, its weathered walls and dramatic setting evoke tales of pirates, battles, and lost time—an iconic and poetic fragment of maritime history.

As you glide by Isola del Tino, the setting sun bathes the majestic San Venerio lighthouse—one of the few still active in the Mediterranean—in golden light. Its beacon, guiding sailors since the 19th century, flickers tenderly across the waves. Below, the crumbling monastery ruins whisper of ancient devotion, while the echoes of WWII bunkers and hidden military installations lend a poignant drama to this secluded isle’s timeless charm.

Sailing by the tiny island of Tinetto, you'll glimpse the remains of an ancient monastery nestled among the rocks, kissed by sea spray and time. This peaceful, uninhabited islet—part of a UNESCO site—feels suspended between sky and sea, a silent guardian of centuries-old spiritual devotion.

As the boat slows and stops in front of Portovenere, guests can savor their Dolcevita aperitivo while taking in the enchanting view: pastel houses cascading to the sea, the Doria Castle watching from above, and the Church of St. Peter perched on the cliff’s edge—where land meets legend and the light dances on the waves like poetry in motion.

Duration: 15 minutes

Just before returning to port, you’ll pass the picturesque borgata marinara of Cadimare, with its quaint waterfront and colorful fishing boats. Beyond it looms the Arsenale Militare, a hidden city within the city—off-limits, mysterious, and steeped in naval history. Its silent presence adds a final touch of charm and intrigue to your journey.