Portofino is a stunning fishing village on the Italian Riviera. Famous for its beautiful harbor and vibrantly colored buildings, it’s one of the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean!
More refined than Positano and less crowded than Capri, Portofino is the ideal Italian seaside village. Its winding streets are lined with the perfect mix of small boutiques and high-end shops, its central piazza is filled with charming restaurants serving Ligurian staples, and it is blissfully free of the large groups who take over much of the Italian coast during the summer season. Once a quiet fishing town, Portofino was discovered by the jet set during the mid-20th century and it has not yet lost its luster. Here are six things that should be on every visitor's list. Visiting the Italians fishing village of Portofino is one of the most interesting things you can ever do on your holiday.
Portofino is a small village located close to Genova, in Liguria. It overlooks Tigullio Gulf and it only has about 400 residents. Portofino is not just a jet-set destination, but it’s also a picturesque village close to beautiful natural landscapes and hosting several pieces of cultural and artistic heritage. As a consequence of its fame, it’s a really expensive destination and you had better visit it with a day trip or just spend a weekend there. For a longer vacation, there are plenty of resorts nearby that are cheaper and quieter.
1. DINE ALFRESCO IN THE PIAZZETTA.
Portofino’s famous Piazzetta is where visitors go to see and be seen. The main square is surrounded by bustling restaurants, from traditional eateries like the celebrity favorite Da Puny to small bars like Bar Mariuccia, which is the perfect spot to enjoy a morning espresso or an evening apertivo. Chuflay restaurant, which is located front and center, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and boasts a sprawling outdoor terrace with one of the best views of the marina in town. The restaurant serves classic Ligurian dishes, like pasta served with Genoese pesto sauce, traditional fish soup, and warm octopus salad, and it is located inside the Belmond Splendido Mare, which is the sister property of the iconic hilltop hotel. Don’t forget to stop at the nearby Gelateria San Giorgio after your meal for a scoop of the best gelato in town.
2. VISIT THE ABBEY OF SAN FRUTTUOSO.
Accessible only by boat or by a two-hour hike down a mountain, this beautiful beach is situated in front of a 12th century abbey. One of the most beautiful beaches in the area, it is surrounded by crystal clear water and lush hills. If you visit during the day, you can stop for lunch at Da Giovanni which borders the tiny beach and specializes in fresh grilled seafood and pesto pasta.
3. ENJOY AN APERITIVO AT THE TIP OF PORTOFINO.
Al Faro di Portofino is located on the terrace of Portofino’s 100-year-old lighthouse, and boasts some of the most breathtaking views in the area. The bar can only be reached on foot, and while the meandering path does include quite a few stairs, the chance to see some of Portofino’s most famous landmarks up close makes the walk well worth it. When you arrive at the lighthouse, which juts into the sea at the tip of Portofino, you can reward yourself with spritzes, wine, locally brewed beer, and plenty of snacks. The terrace can also be rented out for private dinners, where guests can enjoy gourmet meals while taking in the sunset.
4. Admire its old and colorful houses.
Together with the central square of the village (“Piazzetta”), the tall and narrow buildings overlooking the sea are the symbol of Portofino. Like in other villages nearby, they are colorful and aligned along the narrow strip of land between the sea and the hills. It’s very rare to find white houses in Liguria because there is an ancient tradition of painting them with pastel colors.
5. Visit Brown Castle.
This ancient military fortress was built in the XVth century to protect the Tigullio Gulf from pirates and enemies in general. It saved the village from the Venetians’ fleet in 1435 and it was rebuilt and extended several times throughout the centuries. Castello Brown was originally built as a fortress in the 16th century. History of the name: in 1867 the castle was purchased by Montague Yeats Brown, English Counsel in Genoa. He and his descendants owned the property from 1867 to 1949. The castle itself is visible from the main plaza in Portofino, and it’s really fun to walk up to the castle and appreciate the stunning views overlooking Portofino along the way. The way to the castle leads through impressive natural beauty and greenery. It’s a steep walk up the hill, but the views are worth it! Its best position on top of a promontory offers a great view of the entire gulf and its garden is the perfect place to take amazing pictures.
6. Visit San Martino Church.
It’s the chief church in Portofino and it’s really ancient (it was built around 1100 A.C.). San Martino Church is situated on an opposite hill across the harbor from the Church of San Giorgio. The church is perched on the hill, close to the central plaza. The facade of San Martino Church is visible from many points in Portofino. The church has an impressive interior with stained glass windows and ceiling paintings. The interior is decorated with colorful paintings, mosaics, and statues. Once inside, you’ll discover many beautiful paintings, especially the one called “Madonna del Rosario”, whose author is still unknown.
7. VISIT THE AREA MARINA PROTETTA PORTOFINO
Area Marina Protetta Portofino or The Marine Protected Area of Portofino includes the municipalities of Camogli, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. The area is famous for its cliffs and beautiful little inlets. Take a boat trip to get the best views of the scenery, to see the villas and the houses on cliffs and the beautiful shoreline.
You can also take the red carpet trail from Portofino to Santa Margherita. It’s a well-marked walking trail that is about 5 km. It takes about 1 hour to walk between Portofino and Santa Margherita using this trail. On the way, you will see turquoise blue water, beautiful houses perched on cliffs, and multi-colored buildings lining the seaside.
8. Visit the Parks’ Museum.
An open-air museum close to the local marina. It hosts several contemporary artworks that are located among trees and bushes in a beautiful terraced garden. This visit is perfect to admire the Mediterranean scrub, the sea and to enjoy some contemporary art all at the same time. This particular concept was developed during the 80s and the collection has been constantly implemented with works by famous artists like Fortunato Depero or Lucio Fontana. For more information: http://www.museodiportofino.it/
9. TRAVEL TIPS: HOW TO GET TO PORTOFINO.
Do not attempt to drive your car directly to Portofino. The town is very small, and most likely your car will not be allowed. The best way to get to Portofino is to start at the neighboring town of Santa Margherita and take a boat, ride a bus, or simply walk! My favorite way to get to Portofino is to walk a beautiful trail from Santa Margherita.
By boat. Take a boat from Santa Margherita to Portofino. The views are amazing on the boat ride.
By bus. The bus ride from Santa Margherita to Portofino takes about 15 minutes.
Walk from Santa Margherita to Portofino on red carpet trail. Drive to Santa Margherita, park the car, and then take a beautiful walking trail to Portofino. The red carpet trail is about 5 km. It’s a pleasant walk that takes less than 1 hour to get to Portofino from Santa Margherita. This is my favorite way to get to Portofino. It’s a great experience to walk leisurely surrounded by beautiful views and to get a bit of exercise before arriving at luxurious Portofino.
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