Review: La Spezia to Monterosso Boat Tour (One-Way)

Planning a trip to Cinque Terre? Well, one experience you really should think about is the boat tour from La Spezia to Monterosso. It’s almost a slower, scenic option compared to the trains and, you know, hiking trails, and offers completely stunning views of the coastline that, actually, you simply can’t get anywhere else. So, recently I hopped on one of these tours and I thought I’d share my experiences and, you know, offer a few tips for anyone who might want to do the same.

Setting Sail from La Spezia

La Spezia itself is, in some respects, a pretty lively port city. First off, before getting on the boat, I thought I’d take a stroll along the waterfront. You can find various shops, cafes, too it’s almost the place you might want to stock up on snacks and drinks for the journey, though there are usually refreshments sold on board, yet having a backup isn’t a bad idea. As I was saying, the departure point is fairly easy to find – typically near the main harbor area, so you want to give yourself enough time to locate the correct dock and, in fact, get settled.

Boarding the boat felt like the start of a little adventure, really, I could feel the buzz from others excited about seeing the Cinque Terre villages from the sea. You’ll want to get on early enough to snag a great seat; the upper deck offers absolutely panoramic views, but it’s a bit exposed to the sun, or the lower deck will protect you from the weather but with slightly hampered viewing potential. So, people tend to make their choice!

Cruising Along the Ligurian Coast

Once the boat pulls away from the harbor, the view slowly opens up to pretty spectacular. Actually, the Ligurian coastline is stunning. I mean, that cliffs plunge into the turquoise water, with pastel-colored villages clinging to the hillsides. First up, the boat typically cruises past the towns of Porto Venere and, actually, the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto before really reaching the Cinque Terre. It’s worth keeping your camera at the ready to grab quite some amazing photographs.

As a matter of fact, the audio commentary on board actually provided neat info about the area’s history, the local culture, and the main landmarks. So, I found it was quite interesting learning about the region as I was sailing past it. Actually, it certainly gives you a better feel for Cinque Terre other than just seeing the colorful buildings.

The Cinque Terre Villages from the Sea

As the boat approaches the Cinque Terre, very each of the five villages appears, like, so uniquely charming. First, Riomaggiore is built so high upon the cliffs, you’ve got Manarola with those terraced vineyards cascading down to the sea, next up there is Corniglia, perched high above, then Vernazza is known for its, very picturesque harbor. Then the last up is Monterosso. Honestly, each village presents its own, just a little, perfect photo opportunity from the boat. So, in some respects you will want to have the battery fully charged and a high-capacity memory card on that device.

The tour usually allows you to get a completely different perspective on the layout of villages as well. So, it will help you figure out how you would want to plan your time if you’re, in fact, thinking about visiting them on land. The boat, very, generally, slows down near each village, or it even pauses for a bit to give you plenty of time to capture the beauty and, in a way, to appreciate each spot from a unique angle.

Arrival in Monterosso and Exploring

The boat tour usually finishes up in Monterosso, you know, the westernmost of the Cinque Terre villages. Very, very different to the other villages, Monterosso has the most sandy beach and feels quite bigger compared to its sister villages. That said, it’s absolutely the perfect spot to take a refreshing dip in the sea, just lounge on the sand, or go explore a bit after your journey.

You might take a short walk around the old town area and, too it’s almost admire the architecture, just check out the local shops, or taste those tasty Ligurian foods. Actually, Monterosso is so well-known for its anchovies and pesto, I guess it’s worth finding a trattoria for lunch or for dinner. So, you have to experience these local flavors!

Tips for Taking the Boat Tour

• Check the Weather: The boat tours are usually, actually, weather-dependent, so, it’s almost always wise to check the forecast beforehand and have backup plans should tours get cancelled.
• Book in Advance: During peak season (summer months), the tours sell out, as a matter of fact it is a very busy destination and I always find it beneficial booking ahead, especially if travelling in peak periods!
• What to Bring: Think about bringing sunscreen, shades, just a little, and a hat, really, to protect you from the sun. Very, very, in fact, don’t forget a jacket, very because it can get a bit breezy out on the water. Also, as I was saying, water is an excellent idea, too!
• Photography: Bring along the camera, and the fully charged battery! Actually, you don’t want to be without capturing the beautiful Cinque Terre from sea.
• Motion Sickness: In some respects, if you are easily prone to sea sickness, actually, I recommend some medicine or, you know, something preventative before going on the tour.

Well, that boat trip from La Spezia to Monterosso gives you just a different perspective and it lets you, too it’s almost experience the beauty of Cinque Terre from the sea. Now, whether you’re so keen to take wonderful pics, unwind out on the water, or learn more about this part of Italy’s coast, well, in my opinion, it’s, in fact, an excellent addition to the Italian vacation.

#CinqueTerre #LaSpezia #Monterosso #Italy #BoatTour “`