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The Mediterranean pearl, Portofino is a small seaside village with colorful houses, picturesque landscape, crystalline water, cultural heritage and also its exclusive geographical landscape, making it a renowned destination worldwide. Known for its “Dolce Vita” vibe, it has been visited by many celebrities as well. With no more than 500 residents, this village is located close to Genova, in Liguria and overlooks the Tigullio Gulf. Despite being compact in nature, it's quite expensive and a day trip or a weekend maximum is recommended. So, if you are on a tight budget of time and money, these are the must-visit places and things to do in Portofino.
Iconic Places In Portofino To Visit In Only Two Days
Visit Portofino’s Iconic Square
La Piazzetta is Portofino’s iconic square, overlooking the harbor and boats galore are anchored at the port. It’s a place where one can bask in traditional specialties, explore plentiful boutiques, art galleries, restaurants or merely admire the aligned pastel colorful houses on the strip of land between hill and the sea. Basically, an An idyllic coastal town with private yachts and sailing boats makes up the scenic image. Also, it is a central gathering place to experience the true essence of arched porticos, pastel houses, vintage cafés, designer boutiques as well as serenity alongside.
Visit Brown Castle
This historic house museum built in the 15th century is located high above the harbor of Portofino which has been used for military defense since Roman times. The purpose of protecting Tigullio Gulf from pirates and saving the village from the Venetians fleet in 1435, this place is available currently for private events, congresses, meetings, weddings, parties and celebrations, as well as exhibitions and displays of art and culture. Offering an incredible view of the entire gulf, its panoramic terraces, the ambiance inside its rooms and its ancient majolica tiles makes it stand out.
A Visit to San Martino Church
This ancient church of Portofino which was built around 1100 A.C has Roman-Lombard style architecture. The interior of the church is decorated with frescoes, huge chandeliers, arched openings and monumental columns. Few paintings such as “Madonna del Rosario”, "Annunciation" of the eighteenth century as well as another painting portraying saints Rocco, Sebastiano and Pantaleo Ligurian artists of the sixteenth century are quite prominent.
The Portofino Marina
Often renowned as the most famous port in the world, Portofino Bay is home to the Portofino Marina, a famous harbor home to pleasure boats and super yachts. One can watch the yachts anchored and also enjoy the view of the Marina club overviewing the water and the deep green woods. If one needs to immerse in the relaxed vibe of Italy, there can be nothing more relaxing than this.
Visit The Open Air Museum
The Park Museum is an Open Air Museum which is located close to the local marina. Known as Museo Del Parco, it has a beautiful terraced garden interspersed with contemporary artworks as well as a vintage collection. Truly, a heaven for art lovers, there are a lot of eccentric and interesting things. A huge rhino hanging in front of an uphill park is the center of attraction here. The entrance cost is around 5 Euros per person at the museum.
Hiking In Portofino That Can Be Done With Two Days
Amongst all the trails, Portofino to Camogli is one of the popular trails for hiking. With difficulty as medium and 3 hour duration, it is a trail overlooking the panoramic views. Hiking from Camogli to Punta Chiappa starts at Camogli train station and the main parking. After 40 minutes, one views the colorful houses of San Rocco and at the end, an amazing view of the coast.
Shopping In Portofino
Portofino exudes luxury in every bit. Famous for the luxurious brands such as Armani, Vuitton, Hermes etc, it is a shopping hub. Also, there are plenty of artifacts, souvenirs and variety of jewelry and shoes. Antica Sartoria offering Positano style, Brunetto Tiziano, Emilio Pucci, Missoni, Salvatore Ferragamo are few Italian brands worth checking.
The recommended places for shopping are:
- Umberto I Pier
- Calata Marconi
- via Roma and Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta
- Nives Portofino (known for its wonderful embroidery)
- Mingo Portofino (a must-visit shoe shop)
- Spinnaker
Have More Than Two Days? Add These To The List
Diving As A Surreal Experience
Diving the Italian Riviera to see the Christ of Abyss is another surreal experience in Portofino, Italy. An underwater statue of Christ of Abyss is found in water between the Ligurian towns of Camogli and Portofino. To represent Christ in the new world, it is a memorial for divers who have lost their lives while diving. The first bronze statue submerged was the work of artist Guido Galleti in memory of Italy’s first scuba diver, Dario Gonzetti who died in 1950 over there. For diving adventures, one can hire boats as well as non divers can see a copy of the statue in the nearby San Fruttuoso Abbey.
San Fruttuoso Abbey
With a colorful history, San Fruttuoso Abbey is located in a small bay at a secluded location. As it is difficult to access, it has maintained its aura over centuries. With lush green woods, it can be reached solely by boat or a hiking trail through the Portofino National Park. Also, it's a point for the dive to Christ of Abyss and a beach is in front of the abbey. In the past, this place was ideal for the monks to build a monastery.
Well, these are the major destinations of Portofino which can be covered in a day or a weekend. Also, as Portofino is quite pricey in nature, one can also stay in nearby towns such as Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Recco, Chiavari, Genoa, if not exactly in Portofino.