Porto Venere is a picturesque town located on the Ligurian coast of northwestern Italy. It is situated at the southern end of the Gulf of La Spezia, known as the Gulf of Poets, and is part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is named after an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Venus.

Porto Venere has a rich history dating back to the 1st century BC when it was a Roman military base. The town's most famous landmark is the Doria Castle, which dates back to the 12th century and was built to protect the town from pirates. The castle sits atop a rocky promontory and offers stunning views of the Gulf of La Spezia.

Another popular attraction in Porto Venere is the Chiesa di San Pietro, a medieval church built on the ruins of a Roman temple. The church features a black and white striped facade and a bell tower with a small marble pyramid at the top. Inside the church, visitors can see a number of frescoes dating back to the 13th century.

Porto Venere is also known for its colorful houses and narrow streets, which are lined with shops and restaurants serving traditional Ligurian cuisine. The town's harbor is home to a number of fishing boats and pleasure boats, and visitors can take a boat tour of the nearby islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto.