Portofino, Italy (Portofin)

Updated: 13.06.2022
Yulia Klaos

Portofino (Ligurian Portofin name) is a town and seaside resort (commune), part of the province of Genoa, located in Liguria, on the Ligurian coast of the Italian Riviera (Riviera di Levante, Golfo del Tigullio).

Portofino, the town is quite small, consisting of only several streets, two squares and the harbour.

The patron Saint of Portofino is considered to be St. George.

The origins of Portofino go back to ancient times: there are versions that Portofino originates from Phoenician origin, others argue that Portofino dates back to Greek origin, and some prove that the Roman.

According to Pliny the Elder, Portofino was founded by the Romans and named Portus Delfini (Port of Delphini), due to the large number of these animals that lived in coastal waters.

Due to the geographical location among rolling hills with dense vegetation and small semi-enclosed Bay, protecting the area from winds and high waves and to promote the picturesque, Portofino was a fishing village that in the late 19th century began to gain popularity. First the British and then by other aristocratic tourists from Northern Europe began increasingly to visit Portofino. On the hills near the Harbor began to appear expensive vacation homes. All this has led to the fact that by 1950, the area tourism replaced fishing as the main industry of the city and the waterfront has become a continuous ring of restaurants and cafés.

Portofino is now one of the most beautiful, desirable and popular resorts of the Italian Riviera associated with wealth, celebrities and aristocrats.

Portofino Harbor and Piazzetta Square

Portofino Harbour is a Harbor (port of Portofino Bay), around which are grouped Portofino and which is the main tourist spot in Portofino.

From the city, near the harbour, is the most famous and visited area of Portofino Martiri Dell Olivetta (Piazza Martiri Dell Olivetta) better known as the Piazzetta (Piazzetta).

The harbour and the square represent a single ensemble and are the most picturesque place in Portofino.

Along the perimeter of Martiri del Olivetta square, colorfully painted buildings are located close to each other, on the ground floors of which there are cafes and restaurants with outdoor tables. Read more about the port and the Piazzetta...

From the port of Portofino you can take boat trips to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte, in the resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure or national Park Cinque Terre.

Near the Marina of Portofino is the Museum del Parco (Museum of the Park / Museo del Parco), which is an open-air sculpture center, created in the early eighties and built on the basis of a garden on terraces of different levels with sea views.

Visiting the Museum is possible from June to end of September every day except Tuesday. The entrance ticket is 5 Euros.

The Streets Of Portofino

Portofino - a city consisting of only a few streets that lead to the main square - Piazzetta.

Along the streets: cafes and restaurants with tables under the open sky, also small shops and boutiques, there are hotels and apartments.

The main street of Portofino is Roma street (Via Roma), leading from Piazza della libertà, where buses arrive from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino's main square Martiri Dell Olivetta.

The length of the street is only about 200 meters. Along the street are concentrated the most elite shops and boutiques of Portofino, there are also cafes, restaurants, 5-star hotel Belmond Splendido Mare, Appartamento Portofino and featuring air conditioning U Camin.

Some parts of the streets of Portofino, lined with black and white pebbles with simple patterns (floral and nautical theme) in the style and using the technique of "resceu" (risseu - Genoa paving) - a typical Ligurian paved using the stones.

The Beaches Of Portofino

Portofino itself has no beaches. The seaside of Portofino is a harbor.

Near the center of Portofino there are two not very clean little bays and one beach awarded with the Blue Flag award:

- beach-bay del Olivetta (Spiaggia dell'Olivetta), located between the rocky shores of Cape Portofino. On the beach pebbles. You can only get on foot, following the trails and steps of the hill, which is also located Castle Brown;

- beach Bay Port (Bay Port Srl), which is a small pebble and rocky Cove, located 500 metres from the harbour of Portofino. To get to the beach you should follow the only road along the sea leading from Portofino to Santa Margherita Ligure.

Within the beach there is a restaurant.

Above the beach is a 4-star hotel Piccolo Portofino. It features a rocky beach with a bar, terraces with sea views. The room price includes: Breakfast or Breakfast and dinner.

This beach may not be suitable for a comfortable full-fledged beach holiday, but we still recommend a stroll before it, the views are fascinating;

- beaches in the Bay of Paraggi (Paraggi). The Bay is located between the resorts of Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino in the distance about 1.6 kilometres from the harbour of Portofino.

The Bay of Paraggi includes two beach areas:

Paraggi beach - the only sandy beach near Portofino, is an open Bay, on both sides framed by hills and is a public beach, but at it there are also private beach clubs, as well as at many other beaches of Riviera, offering a full range of beach services;

sand and shingle beach Cove with clean sea and gently sloping entry into the water. There is a sports club on the beach. Read more about the Bay and the beaches of Paraggi...

The main sights of Portofino

Portofino, in itself is a landmark. However, there are several notable places and objects in the city.

Hills Of Portofino

Tiny Portofino is surrounded by hills that are part of the National Park of Portofino. It is these hills and protect the small Bay from the wind and still doing very picturesque.

From the sea and harbour, is a high promontory of Portofino, the most beautiful and most visited of the hills surrounding the resort.

On the slopes of the promontory are three main attractions of the city:

- Castle Brown (Castello Brown).

History the Castle Brown originates from the 1400s when the castle was built as a protective structure from the invading enemies. During its history, the castle underwent many changes, and was ruled by several owners.

Currently in the castle hold various events, including weddings and banquets, is a Museum. The castle's terrace offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The cost of entry is 5 Euros;

- St. George Church or the Church of San Giorgio (Chiesa di San Giorgio) - the Catholic Church, according to the plaque located in the Church, built in Romanesque style in 1154.

The exterior and interior of the Church is simple and modest.

Inside are the relics of St. George, the patron Saint of Portofino, brought by sailors returning from the Crusades.

Near the main entrance to the Church lies the square, which is also the same name viewpoint (Terrazza San Giorgio), which offers the best in Portofino panoramic views of the Harbor of Portofino, the Central square of Martiri del Olivetta, sea waters and wild rocky coast of the Cape;

- the lighthouse of Portofino (Il Faro Portofino), located on the hillside at the entrance to the Bay. Near the lighthouse there is a small cafe.

There are hiking trails along the cape.

From the side of the city, the green hills of Portofino Park come up to Portofino, along which tourist routes also run and with panoramic views of the center of Portofino, the sea and the surrounding area.

The Church Of St. Martin

St. Martin's Church or the Church of San Martino (Divo Martino / Chiesa di San Martino) - the Catholic Church located in the oldest part of Portofino.

The Church is one of the symbols of Portofino and its decoration, and also the largest Church and the main Church of the city.

The Church most likely dates back to the period between the 10th and 12th centuries. Was built in the Romanesque-Lombard style, replacing the earlier primitive chapel, located on the pier.

During its history the Church has repeatedly undergone changes and alterations. Major changes were made during the nineteenth century.

Inside the Church are: the organ and some valuable paintings and sculptures.

Church Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Oratory Church of the assumption of the blessed virgin Mary or Santa Maria Assunta (Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta / Oratorio di Nostra Signora Assunta) is in Gothic style.

The oratory, named after the Assumption, was founded in the 14th century. During the fifteenth century, the church underwent several structural changes.

Inside the Shrine are two large crucifixes - one white and one black. Crucifixion "involved" in the procession on the occasion of the feast of St. George.

The Church is located in the heart of Portofino, near the harbour in Via Roma, 26.

Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte

The Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte, also known simply as Capodimonte (Abbazia di San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte) - the complex, was originally a monastery located in the bay between the rocky hills of Portofino Park, about 5 kilometers from the center of Portofino. Geographically belongs to the city of Camogli.

Built in the 10th century as a Benedictine monastery, during the history the Abbey was rebuilt and enlarged.

Currently, the complex of Capodimonte is possible to visit, the cost of entry is 7 Euros.

There is an equipped beach near the monastery complex, several restaurants and bed and breakfast Locanda del parco di Portofino.

You can get to San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte on foot from Portofino along the trails of the park (a route of medium difficulty) or from one of the sea excursions. Ferries depart from Portofino Marina (Portofino Harbor), the cost of a boat trip is 8.50 Euros - there, 13 Euros - there and back, the journey time is about 25 minutes.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office near Molo Umberto I (the Piazzetta).

The Statue Of Christ Of The Abyss

The statue "Christ of the Abyss" (Italian name Il Cristo degli Abissi) - a large statue of Christ, located under water near the coast, near Capodimonte.

The statue was installed under water in August of 1954 in the Gulf at a depth of 17 meters to protect fishermen and scuba divers and in memory of Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to use scuba gear. Read more about all of the sights of Portofino...

Things to do in Portofino

1. To take a walk in small streets of the city and along Portofino's harbor.

2. Have a snack in one of the many cafes and restaurants of the resort.

3. To examine the main sights.

4. Admire the famous fashionable Harbor from the observation deck near the Church of St. George (free) or from the terrace of brown castle (for a fee - the entrance to the castle).

5. Make one or several Hiking trails Hiking trails of the Park of Portofino.

6. Walk along the coast to the Bay of Paraggi (or further to Santa Margherita Ligure), enjoying sea views.

7. Take a boat trip on the ferry (boat) to Capodimonte, Santa Margherita Ligure, or tiny resorts National Park Cinque Terre.

How to get to Portofino

There is no airport in Portofino, and there is also no train station.

To get to Portofino from the nearby major cities such as Genoa and Milan (including Bergamo). The nearest airport is in Genoa, next in Milan and Bergamo. Cheap flights to Italy...

From any city in Italy, including to and from airports, you can get to Portofino by taxi. Book a taxi/shuttle service is possible in advance, even from home. At any time of the day, at the airport, you will meet your driver with a sign, which will be written your name and surname. To order a taxi is enough to inform your flight details! View the price and book a taxi here...

One of the most convenient ways independent movement in Italy is a car. You can rent a car in advance, even from home, the car will be waiting for you upon arrival. Cars can pick up and rent here...

Parking in Portofino is located on Piazza della libertà (Piazza della Libertà) and in close proximity to such. The average cost of paid Parking is 5 Euro per hour; 5 hours - 18€; 12 hours - 25 Euro 24 hours - 37 Euros; 48 hours, € 61.

Of public transport in Portofino run a bus line 82 from the town of Santa Margherita Ligure, located approximately 5 kilometers from Portofino.

From the railway station of Santa Margherita Ligure there are daily public bus line 82, which make stops in Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Santa Margherita, then follow along the coast (Covo di Nord Est and Paraggi) and drive to Piazza della Libertà.

Ticket price: € 3 - there, 5 - there and back; at the driver € 4 - to 6 - back and forth.

Also from Santa Margaretha Ligure to Portofino can be reached by taxi, car, ferry, foot or Bicycle.

The Hiking route is very popular among tourists. The path runs along the coast most of the way accompanied by a pedestrian sidewalk, and on the way beautiful views.

You can get to Santa Margherita Ligure from nearby cities (including from Genoa and Milan) by train or bus.

From Genoa is more convenient to travel on direct trains (trains). Trains run frequently, the ticket price of € 2.80, journey time 16 minutes, depending on the train.

Tickets for trains can be found on the website of Trenitalia or here. Tickets can be purchased online, at railway stations, ticket offices or machines. Before the trip, the ticket must be composted in machines located on the platforms or transitions to the platforms.

Bus tickets to Genoa can be bought here (FlixBus) (for example, a direct bus from Bergamo airport, the fare is about 10 euros).