Palmaria (island)

Island Island in the Gulf of La Spezia with trails

Off Portovenere, Palmaria island offers coastal trails, sea caves and small pebble coves; visitors hike ridge paths, kayak sheltered bays and watch ferries cross to Cinque Terre and La Spezia.

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Palmaria is a Mediterranean island at the mouth of the Gulf of La Spezia on the Ligurian coast of northern Italy, notable for its natural scenery and coastal trails. It forms part of a small archipelago together with the nearby islets of Tino and Tinetto.

Palmaria has seen intermittent military use because of its strategic position at the gulf entrance and contains fortifications and batteries dating from various periods. The island has also long been used by fishermen and as a local leisure destination.

Situated off the Ligurian coast near the town of Portovenere in the province of La Spezia, Palmaria is reached by short ferry services and lies within sight of the Cinque Terre coastline.

  • Location and access: Part of the archipelago at the entrance to the Gulf of La Spezia and lies opposite the town of Portovenere, with ferry connections to the mainland and neighbouring islets.
Palmaria (island)
Isola Palmaria (Palmaria Island), Porto Venere (La Spezia), Liguria, Italy
44.0427, 9.8456
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How to Get to Palmaria (island) #

Palmaria Island sits off Portovenere in the Gulf of La Spezia. Regular ferries and seasonal hydrofoils run from Portovenere and from La Spezia harbour (and from nearby Lerici) - crossings from Portovenere are only a few minutes and from La Spezia typically under an hour depending on service. La Spezia is reached by car via the A12/A15 autostrada; once in Portovenere or La Spezia follow local signs to the ferry terminals and then disembark on Palmaria and explore on foot.

Tips for Visiting Palmaria (island) #

  • Take the earliest ferry from Porto Venere or La Spezia to beat the day‑trip crowds and give yourself time to walk several trails before midday boats return.
  • Land at the main Porto Venere-side dock and follow marked paths inland-many visitors stay near the landing but miss the island's western cliffs and secluded coves accessed by short hikes.
  • If you want quieter swimming spots, head to the island's east side trails away from the main picnic/beach area; those bays are less visited by the big groups.

Best Time to Visit Palmaria (island) #

The best time for Palmaria is late spring to early summer for good weather and fewer crowds; peak summer is busiest for swimming.

Late spring-early summer (ideal)
May-Jun · ≈15-25°C
Pleasant temperatures for hiking and swimming with fewer day-trippers than peak summer.
High summer (beach season)
Jul-Aug · ≈20-30°C
Warmest and busiest period-best for swimming and boat trips but expect crowded ferries and beaches.
Autumn (calmer)
Sep-Oct · ≈15-22°C
Milder, quieter conditions good for walking the island and coastal viewpoints; some services may reduce hours after August.

Weather & Climate near Palmaria (island) #

Climate

Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (930 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
2° – 10°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
3° – 11°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
5° – 14°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
7° – 17°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° – 22°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° – 26°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 19 mm.

92 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° – 29°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.0h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° – 29°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° – 25°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° – 20°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
6° – 14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
3° – 10°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Palmaria (island)

Tino (island)
Tino (island)
Small private island near the Ligurian coast
Island 1.8 km
Tinetto
Tinetto
Tiny Ligurian island with early Christian ruins
Island 2.2 km
Orto Botanico di Montemarcello
Botanical garden showcasing Ligurian coastal plants
Park 8.8 km
Cinque Terre National Park
Cinque Terre National Park
Coastal national park of terraced villages and cliffs
National Park 9.9 km
Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
Coastal towns and islands renowned for dramatic cliffs
Historical Site 11.7 km
Sarzana Cathedral
Sarzana Cathedral
Romanesque-Gothic cathedral in Sarzana, Liguria
Church 12.1 km
Luna (Etruria)
Luna (Etruria)
Ancient Etruscan-Roman city near the Ligurian coast
Archaeological Site 13.9 km
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre
Coastal string of five fishing villages with terraces
Area 14.3 km