October Day Trips near Portovenere

October is a great month to visit the Gulf of Poets: the weather is still mild, the natural landscape delights our eyes with the distinctive autumn colors, the flavors of fall are celebrated with wine and food festivals. On top of this, there are less tourists around meaning that – with less queues and cheaper prices – you can probably do a lot more during your break on the Italian Riviera.

If you are staying in Portovenere as your base for visiting Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets, we have some articles with tips on how to enjoy your time in the area, for example: Top 10 Things to do in Portovenere, Castles of the Riviera Spezzina, Exploring Lunigiana, Tour in La Spezia’s Oyster Farms, Wine Tasting in Portovenere, What to do on a Rainy Day.

Autumn 2025 cultural events and art exhibits in the Gulf of Poets include:

• Ut pictura poesis (until 8 October 2025 at Castello di Lerici) – An exhibition celebrating poet Giuseppe Conte and his long collaboration with Domenico Paladino, leading figure of the Italian Transavanguardia.
• Gerhard Wolf’s Collection (permanent collection at CAMeC La Spezia) – Showcasing the permanent collection of the art historian and director of the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florence, with works spanning diverse modern and contemporary styles.
• Sarzana Senza Tempo (4 and 5 October 2025 at Fortezza Firmafede, Sarzana) – A grand re-enactment of the 1487 battle between the Florentines of Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Genoese of Gianluigi Fieschi, with markets, falconry, duels, a tournament, and a final parade.

If you have more days available and want to make the most out of your Italian vacation, in October you can easily organize day trips in Liguria and even in the neighboring regions of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. In this article, Discover Portovenere Blog suggests some events and sightseeing that you can enjoy with less than 2 hours’ drive away from Portovenere.

Marble Tour & Art Exhibits in Carrara (Tuscany)

Carrara, the city in Tuscany that is famous for its marble, is only one hour away by car from Portovenere. There you can enjoy an interesting tour in the marble quarries, complete with a visit at a sculpture workshop and a light lunch at Colonnata.

The team at Grand Hotel Portovenere will be glad to assist you in organizing your marble quarry experience across the border in Tuscany. By the way, did you know that Portovenere’s territory also has its own marble? It’s the exclusive Portoro, a fine-grained, black marble, with strong white and gold veining that resembles the ripples in a stream.

Carrara is also home to the Museo CARMI – a museum dedicated to marble and Michelangelo, definitely worth a visit!

Vintage Sailboats in Viareggio (Tuscany)

Raduno Vele Storiche Viareggio has become one of the most attended events in the sailing world. It takes place from 15 to 19 October 2025, when Viareggio will welcome the fleet of vintage, classic and traditional boats. In addition to competing in exciting regattas at sea, these boats will give life to the first floating museum of Versilia.

The boats can be admired for free by the public, who will have the opportunity to find out about their history and characteristics indicated on special panels placed in front of each hull.

Cosplay in Lucca (Tuscany)

In autumn, Lucca becomes the colorful set of Lucca Comics and Games, an internationally acclaimed event dedicated to comics, cartoons, games and video games. In 2025, the festival takes place from 29 October to 2 November.

Walking around Lucca during these days is a great experience for children, adults and even spectators who know nothing about the world of comics and games. You’ll feel like being catapulted in a fantasy world, where you will find people wearing beautiful costumes and detailed accessories around every corner.

Food experience in Parma (Emilia Romagna)

Cross Liguria’s border to reach one of Italy’s top food regions – Emilia Romagna. Find a foodie paradise in Parma, which is a 2-hour drive away. Here you visit a variety of Food Museums, including the Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano, of Pasta, of Wine and Museum of Prosciutto – among others.

If you are looking for food festivals: the village of Calestano hosts the Fragno Black Truffle National Fair between October and November!

Art in Genoa (Liguria)

Liguria’s capital, Genoa, is a fantastic hub for art lovers. Among the exhibits not to miss in October 2025 are:

• Moby Dick – The Whale. From Antiquity to Contemporary Art (Oct 11, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026, Palazzo Ducale) – A major exhibition inspired by Herman Melville’s novel, with sections based on key chapters and works by artists such as John Akomfrah, Wu Tsang, Guy Ben-Ner, Carsten Höller, Thomas Ruff, Fausto Melotti, Piero Manzoni, and Dadamaino.
• Art Kane – Visionary (Oct 16, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026, Palazzo della Meridiana) – An eclectic retrospective dedicated to American photographer Art Kane (1925–1995), bringing over 100 of his works to the city for the first time.
• San Giorgio. Stories, Images and Identities from the East to Genoa (Oct 31, 2025 – Mar 1, 2026, Musei Nazionali di Genova: Palazzo Reale & Teatro del Falcone) – The first major exhibition devoted to St. George, patron saint of Genoa, exploring his legend and symbolism across cultures.

October in the Gulf of Poets

Are you looking for a hotel that is located between Liguria, Tuscany and Emilia Romagna for your Italian fall break? Visit the website of Grand Hotel Portovenere to discover its ideal location and special offers for direct bookings.