Things to do and see in Portofino Italy

Things To Do In Portofino Italy - One Of The Best Places To Visit During Summer

Updated October 29th, 2019, Posted by travelwith2ofus


🔽 DEAL ALERT!
Get up to 20% off selected hotels!

Book hotel and pay with Bitcoin Book flights and pay with Bitcoin


Like so many beautiful villages and towns in Italy, Portofino is not to be outdone. This Italian fishing village and tourist resort is noted for its breathtaking harbor, scenery, beaches and cuisine.

Located in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, Portofino has been associated with many celebrities and noted members from the artistic community.

 

Walking around is not a bad option because Portofino, by no means is a large town, and most hotels and beaches are within walking distance. Other activities in Portofino include kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.

You can also explore the village, especially places like the northern shore, where you will find the Abbey of San Fruttuoso.

Some of the nearby beaches include Camogli, Chiavari, Lavagna, Paraggi and Sestri Levante. Best activities in Portofino, beside relaxing on the beaches and taking in the harbor scenery is sampling the cuisine.

There are many restaurants and each serve their own unique versions of local and regional specialties.

FYI: In October 2018, Portofino was hit by a storm and the only road into the town was washed away. However, in an update on April 6th, 2019, That's Liguria reported that, "The first line of the road 227 is officially reopened. For tourists that want to pass it through on foot, by car or by bus. The road is opened 24 hours a day."

Check out our women's travel tees, thank tops and hoodies
We have links to product and services from our affiliates. We may receive compensation when you click on those links, at no cost to you of course.

Portofino
Portofino is a fishing town and vacation resort in Genoa province on the Italian Riviera. It is famous for its striking harbor and past association with celebrity and artistic guests.

The town is around the small port and has colorful buildings along the shore. It is one of the most ideal and photogenic fishing ports in the Mediterranean.

Portofino possesses an exceptional natural heritage that comprises of rural and maritime civilizations and religious architecture. It also has clusters of rural houses with tiny orchards and portions of land with grapevines and olive trees.

Italy is beautiful, but why should I visit Portofino?

As the place where art, glam and nature congregate, there is no doubt that Portofino is one of the optimum places to visit during summer, or just for a weekend.

Even the trees in this beautiful village are worth seeing. There are numerous places one can visit and diverse activities you can engage in to ensure that you spend their vacation in style.

Windwardside, Saba


Inspirational Travel Quotes

Check out our 12-part series on inspirational travel quotes that will motivate you to travel and explore the world.


I'm on vacation, what do I do in Portofino?

On vacation, shopping therapy is an activity one can engage in. Portofino has some glamorous charm with Via Roma as a famous fashion street.

A stroll along Via Roma allows you to admire its dreamy windows. The street also houses the boutiques of some of the well-known fashion houses and brands so you can buy whatever meets your eye. Additionally, you can stock up on leather items, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

 

Once in Portofino you can also take advantage of a boat tour on the coast and discover the town. In case you happen to visit Portofino during summer, you can go sunbathing at Paraggi beach. It is a small bay enclosed by mountains. Swimming in the crystalline water with a view of the green mountains can make a visitor love Portofino even more.

 

Those interested in the local traditions can walk through the streets of Portofino’s Borgo and visit the artisan workshops where the women gracefully work stylish patterns of bobbin lace.

Portofino Hotels

Portofino is a beautiful village with breathtaking views, so you should definitely stay at a hotel which allows you to enjoy every moment of its amazing scenery. Check these Portofino hotels out.
Hotel Nazionale Portofino, Portofino

Hotel Nazionale Portofino, Portofino

Some landmarks within walking distance include:

Portofino Regional Park - One minute walk.

Portofino Marina - One minute walk.

Church of St. Martin - One minute walk.


Belmond Hotel Splendido, Portofino

Belmond Hotel Splendido, Portofino

Some landmarks within walking distance include:

Church of St. Martin - One minute walk.


Paraggi Beach - A five minute walk.

Castello Brown - A six minute walk.


Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare, Portofino

Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare, Portofino

Some landmarks within walking distance include:

Portofino Regional Park - One minute walk.

Castello Brown - Seven minute walk.

Marina di Rapallo - 18 minute walk.



Last time I checked my bank account I wasn't rich. What are the costs of things in Portofino?

Most popular restaurants in Portofino have a table service charge of approximately three Euros so when choosing a place to eat; you ought to take that into consideration.

Beers cost 10 Euros and above so when you want to indulge you should be ready to spend money. The meals in Portofino are tasty, but pricey.

The taxis in Portofino charge 35 Euros for a short trip, so you should carry enough cash to move around. The schedules of the buses are regular and cost around one Euro from Santa Margherita Ligure train station to Portofino.

You can also choose to get a rental car that is available at affordable prices, and which will allow you to move around more comfortably. 

 

With many attractions and economical accommodations, there are exclusive Portofino hotel deals and great offers available. The prices of hotel rooms in Portofino range from $79 to $302.


There has to be some place you must visit while in Portofino. Give me the 411!

During a vacation to Portofino you have to dive into the past and visit the Brown Castle. Being Portofino's pride and joy, the fifteenth-century castle is on the town's harbor. It was originally built to act as the port defense, but later it developed into a magnificent villa. Nowadays, the timeless castle is a house museum that the public can access.

 

As a tourist, set some time aside to admire Saint George church. It houses the remains of Saint George, the city's patron that the local sailors brought home from Crusades.

If you still feel energetic enough, you can hike out to the lighthouse to enjoy Portofino from high above. The path to the lighthouse has flourishing vegetation and offers a panoramic peek of the sea and coast all round. Another must visit place is the breathtaking and pristine Regional Park of Portofino to enjoy nature.

The Statue of Christ of the Abyss that is underwater is another spectacular place one must visit while in Portofino. The statue protected fishermen and scuba drivers, and it represents a benedictory Christ facing up to the sky with open arms. So when in Portofino book a diving experience to have a look at this unique statue.

 

An individual can also go for an outdoor trip at Cinque Terre since the beautiful Portofino is close to other wonderful places. One can spend a day exploring places such as Monterosso Mare, Manarol and Santa Margerita Ligure.

Cameras And Accessories to capture the moment
Are you planning to visit Portofino for sometime in the future? These cameras and accessories will help you capture all those amazing moments.


What's the food scene like there? What should I eat in Portofino?

Once in Portofino, a person should ensure that they enjoy a cup of high-quality Italian coffee at Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta. The famed restaurant was once a place where celebrities and artists came to relax and chat during a coffee break while filming.

While there is a great deal of foods to sample in Portofino, you shouldn't leave without tasting these local delicacies:

Pesto

The Ligurian Coast is considered the birthplace of Pesto, you will notice this sauce served with almost all meals in Portofino. This sauce has been perfected over time and a must for every tourist. 

Trofie pasta

Not just any pasta, Trofie pasta is as unique as its name. The twisted pasta is served with pesto sauce. Can be served fresh or dried. Either way expect a pleasant treat.

Focaccia

Focaccia is a local cheesy flatbread that is eaten all day every day. This delicious doughy bread is so addictive it is served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Focaccia  

Seafood

Many delicacies in Portofino incorporate seafood due to its location. The local fish is known as Besugo and features heavily in the menu.

The fish is commonly prepared in a unique way of baking under a mound of sea salt. Expect to sample lots of juicy seafoods cooked in very simple ways yet very exquisite. 

It is essential to note that most of the restaurants in Portofino close once a week, so when you choose a place to eat you should remember this.

For instance, Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta closes on Thursday while La Locanda di Colombo in Santa Margherita is open only in the evenings and does not operate on Sundays. 

 

The eating places in Portofino offer different cuisines. Some provide Italian food while a few specialize in Spanish food. Therefore, depending on your preference for the day, you can effortlessly find what you want to eat. One thing is sure, you will not be disappointed with the food here.

Do they speak English in Portofino?

Most of the Portofino residents converse in Italian, not English, which makes it a challenge for an individual who, is not articulate in the language.

If you are lucky enough, you may find another person in the area who understands English and can, therefore, help them translate.

Additionally, the employees in most accommodation spots are well versed in different languages, English being one of them. A person visiting Portofino is hence able to stay in a hotel where there are people who can understand them.

 

So! If you are planning to visit Portofino, it is advisable that you do so during the high season so that you can have a memorable experience. During the end of the season, you may save money in terms of hotels and other bills, but miss out on the fun-filled activities.

 

For more information about Portofino and other places in Italy, visit Italia.it
Italia.it is the official website for tourism in Italy.


THE TRAVEL ANGELS WILL BLESS
YOU IF YOU SHARE THIS PIN.
⬇


You may also like:

FASHION


TRAVEL