Palmaria Island – Liguria: paths, caves and cliffs in the green island of the Gulf of Poets. Palmaria Island is located in front of Porto Venere, in the heart of the Gulf of Poets. It is the largest of the Ligurian islands and is part of the UNESCO heritage together with Porto Venere and the Cinque Terre. An island of maritime pines, Mediterranean scrub and white cliffs that descend steeply into the sea. Wild and discreet, it is an ideal place to walk, swim and listen to the voice of the wind in the leaves. 🌿 A green island between rocks and silence: Palmaria is covered with dense vegetation, made up of holm oaks, brooms, mastic trees and ancient agricultural terraces. Paths that cross it lead to viewpoints, disused military fortifications and cliffs overlooking the open sea. A changing landscape that combines nature, history and quiet. 👉 Tip: Leave Porto Venere in the morning and walk the island's hiking ring: in a few hours you can explore it all, with panoramic stops and coves for swimming. 🌊 Clear sea and hidden caves: The coasts of Palmaria offer pebble beaches, low rocks and transparent coves. On the western side are the Blue Grotto and the Grotta dei Colombi, which can be reached by boat or with small excursions. The water is clear and invites you to stop and be silent. 👉 Tip: Bring mask and fins: the stretch between Cala Fornace and Pozzale is ideal for snorkeling, among fish, algae and clear seabed. 🚶 ♀️ Paths and paths between history and nature: The island preserves historical testimonies such as the Umberto I Fortress and ancient mills. The routes are well marked and suitable even for inexperienced walkers. Silence, interrupted only by the rustle of the wind or the song of cicadas, accompanies every step. 👉 Tip: Climbing towards the highest point of the island, the view opens onto Porto Venere, the island of Tino and the Ligurian coast: a perfect place for a solitary break. 🛶 Boat excursions and perspectives from the sea: Seeing Palmaria from the sea means grasping its proportions, vertical profiles and its harshest dimension. Boat trips depart from Porto Venere or La Spezia and also allow you to skirt the nearby islands of Tino and Tinetto. 👉 Tip: Rent a kayak or a small gozzo in the afternoon: the sunset light on the west coast of the island is among the most evocative in the Gulf of Poets. 🍋 Nature, slowness and respect for the place: The island is part of the Porto Venere Regional Natural Park, and its beauty depends on the protection of its fragile balance. Walking in silence, not leaving rubbish, avoiding off-trail paths: small gestures that are part of the experience. 👉 Tip: Bring water, comfortable shoes and a trail guide - you won't find any shops or bars, but the scenery will reward you with peace and authenticity. Palmaria Island is an intact corner of Liguria. A place made of light, wind and slow steps, where every stop reveals a deeper sea and a truer time.