Palmaria Island is located in front of the village of Portovenere, from which it is separated by a narrow stretch of sea. It is part of an archipelago that also includes the islands of Tino and Tinetto. Its territory is part of the municipality of Portovenere.
Since 1997, Palmaria Island, together with the other islands of Tino and Tinetto, Portovenere and the Cinque Terre, has been included among UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Palmaria Island boasts some records in terms of biodiversity: a botanical variety of about 500 species makes its flora a core of great interest. Holm oak forests overlooking the sea, pines, oaks and strawberry trees, as well as typically marine plants such as sea fennel. Furthermore, thanks to the island’s microclimates, many wildlife species are present.
The west side of the island consists of very high cliffs and striking caves such as the Blue Grotto that can be visited by boat, and the Doves’ Cave that can only be reached by rappelling down with ropes. This last cave in particular has proven very important for the study of early human settlements in the Gulf, as fossil bones of Pleistocene animals such as chamois and snowy owl have been found inside it, but above all burial remains, which attest to the presence of man at least five thousand years ago.
In the southern part of the island called “Pozzale”, there is the quarry now abandoned and once used for the extraction of the precious black marble with golden streaks called “Portoro”.
On the island there are also many military constructions of great historical interest: on the summit of the island, inaccessible as it is a former military territory and currently in a state of abandonment, there are the Forte Conte di Cavour and several bunkers dating back to World War II.
Palmaria is entirely walkable on foot thanks to a ring trail that allows you to experience it step by step while enjoying breathtaking landscapes.
By staying at Downtown Blue Apartment you will have the opportunity to visit this wonderful island, another jewel of the Gulf of La Spezia.