Forget the bus. You need to see Portofino Italy from the coastline in a boat to take in the magnificent views. You see the stunning landscape from a boat and admire them both from the sea. With the Traghetti Portofino lines, you can reach the various villages of the Cinque Terre, but you need to start from Rapallo, which is a 15 minute boat ride from Santa Margherita Ligure. You then switch boats to visit the Cinque Terre. Again, a bit of a schlep. Use Santa Margherita Ligure as your base for both areas.
Are they hiding out? Are they happy? What do they do? Are they bored? Are they stuck within their castle? Can I hotwire their yacht and take it for a spin? You know… random thoughts. How this trip to Portofino all started was through an invite to stay with friends in Ruta, just on the other side of Genova. I took the train to Recco where they picked me up, and we drove to their place in the wilderness.
It was a beautiful, little place within a secluded, wooded complex. You enter the driveway and go down a steep, winding decline to arrive at the complex. Continue down a dozen steps and there was a communal swimming pool flanked by imposing, cliche Cyprus trees, and the Mediterranean Sea in front of me.
The sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea below were magical. I feel like I am in the middle of nowhere. We fired up the grill that night and dined outside as the sun went down. The atmosphere had the sights and smells of a campground, but with really great accommodation. The topic of travel came up around the campfire, and I mentioned an article I read saying the villages of the Cinque Terre were going to put a cap on the number of tourists.
The article said tourists would need to buy a card to visit the towns and trails. They want to limit the number of tourists visiting Cinque Terre to 1. Seemed like quite a drastic reduction. There are lovely trails there, particularly if you are considering hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza , and you can easily see why the Cinque Terre is so popular.
The area around the Cinque Terre is very delicate, and with too many tourists traipsing around, they not only risk damaging the landscape, but also their major source of revenue through tourism. My friends immediately asked whether I had visited Portofino. Portofino is definitely worth a visit, but it depends on what you are into.
You disembark to find a little beach area, a variety of restaurants, shops and some streets leading off into different directions. The port area is quite congested and not a place to swim, but just a place for boats to come and go. Portofino is tiny with about permanent residents. Seriously, residents! We decided to head up to Chiesa San Georgio for the best views of Portofino and to enjoy our lunch alfresco. The cemetery is also quite unique. The views are spectacular here and it was less crowded than by the port area.
The magnificent gardens would make a great backdrop if you are considering getting married in Portofino. Again, this town is quite baffling. Either everyone is mega wealthy, or they go elsewhere to shop. I also pondered about all the cruise ships that stop in Portofino. Just where does everyone go? Restaurants in Portofino can be pricey.
We checked out a few and decided the price tag was a bit high for what we wanted. Plus, we were on the ferry schedule. So build in plenty of time in Portofino to wander the small streets and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. We bought something quick and fresh from a local bakery and found a quiet place to have a picnic. Not very Portofino-like, but enjoyable, none the less. If I had more time, I would have chosen one of the following highly-recommended best restaurants in Portofino.
First up is Chuflay Bar and Restaurant. This restaurant is connected to the Belmond Splendido Mare Hotel , right on the main square. So if you are looking for the best restaurant in Portofino Italy, this has to be it. The menu is quite diverse with plenty of starters, pastas, meats and seafood mixed with Ligurian accents. For other Michelin restaurants you need to head to Santa Margherita Ligure. Ristorante Puny at Piazza Martiri dell Olivetta, 5 is another highly-rated best restaurant in Portofino.
The name makes me laugh. Puny, as in tiny! There are about 15 tables on the terrace and the same inside, and you may be grappling with an A-lister to get a table. We love the territory where we live and have selected for you the best of the best. Email: info beautifuliguria. Get travel tips and insiders info straight from the Italian Riviera.
Hit enter to search or ESC to close. What comes to your mind when you hear the name Portofino? Go ahead and read our ultimate guide to experience Portofino like a local. Where is Portofino located? What does Portofino mean? The origins of Portofino date back to Roman times. The bay of Portofino in fact was one of the few safe shelters on the Ligurian coast. What is Portofino famous for?
What to visit in Portofino? If you feel like walking 10 more minutes, continue on the path to the left of the church. What to do in Portofino? If you like outdoor activities , this is your paradise. And to relax and sunbathe? Well, Portofino does not have a beach but here you can find our suggestions on the best places to swim and the best beaches in Portofino and surroundings Is it possible to go from Portofino to the Cinque Terre by boat?
Therefore the journey could be a bit boring and tiring. Where to eat in Portofino? A delicious break? How many days to spend in Portofino?
Where to stay? When to visit Portofino? How to get there? What are the closest airports? How far is Portofino from the Cinque Terre? Which is better Portofino or Positano? Contact us and we will be happy to help you to plan the perfect trip for you. Leave us a message. I agree to having my data processed as outlined by the Privacy Policy.
Subscribe me to your newsletter. 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.
If you like swimming and you are in Portofino in August, take part in this special competition taking place every year.
It is conceived for amateurs of all ages. The starting point is Niasca beach, while the arrival is at Santa Margherita a village close to Portofino. This is the most popular beach in Portofino and it is famous for its green water. The beach is sandy and large and it is surrounded by the Mediterranean scrub. San Fruttuoso is a tiny coastal village only reachable on foot following this trail or by sea.
It has only 36 residents. While everybody sails on luxury yachts or large ferries, try a kayak to slowly explore the coast and spend a couple of hours discovering hidden places and beautiful natural locations.
A local pasta dish seasoned with a sauce made with both pesto and tomato. In front of San Fruttuoso beach, there is a famous diving spot where you can see a huge bronze statue of Christ with open arms. This statue was commissioned by one of the most important Italian scuba divers to honor a friend that lost his life during the testing of some diving equipment. For more information visit here.
In Portofino and other villages nearby, there are several possibilities to learn the basics of survival techniques and do some open-air training. These activities are generally organized during weekends and you can spend 2 days with a group and a guide in a safe environment and in close contact with nature. Located on the seafront, hotel Piccolo Portofino offers luxurious rooms in a historic villa, a private rocky beach with a bar, and stunning views across the sea.
Rooms have terraces or balconies. Check the latest prices and book Hotel Piccolo Portofino here.
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