Portofino is a fantastic Italian location, based in the Riviera Ligure, considered by many one of the world’s eight wonders. It is a small town of no more than 500 people, placed upon its bay. It’s kind of a natural bowl which has become the world’s famous Piazzetta.
Portofino became famous in the 60s, when the rich and famous characters of the “Dolce Vita”, actors, actresses, pop stars, and rich aristocrats frequently started visiting it for its twilights, exclusive parties, and breathtaking views.
At the time, the high society moved from Via Veneto and Piazza di Spagna in Romeduring weekends to Portofino, Capri, Saint Tropez and Montecarlo, Cortina and Saint Moritz.
These were the compulsory spots, in addition to Porto Cervo, once known as theCosta Smeralda, during summers. Through time, Portofino has seen a high standard of living thanks to its exclusive guests, huge yachts, famous boat races such as theZegna Trophy and for its incredible and natural beauty.
These were the compulsory spots, in addition to Porto Cervo, once known as theCosta Smeralda, during summers. Through time, Portofino has seen a high standard of living thanks to its exclusive guests, huge yachts, famous boat races such as theZegna Trophy and for its incredible and natural beauty.
Today one goes to Portofino to feel good, because it is a fantastic place, full of magic, where to meditate and make peace with oneself. We suggest visiting Portofino during Easter times, that is when Easter falls in the month of April, until the end of September.
If the weather allows it, you can take a small Ferryboat from the Molo Umberto I (the one on the right) to San Fruttoso or to Camogli, two beautiful viallages right on the opposite side of the Portofino mount.
In San Fruttuoso you can either have lunch or dinner. In front of Camogli you can stay at Punta Chiappa, where you will find rocks for sun baths. There, you can eat at Trattoria da Spadin, a cozy place on the sea.
What else: no really good restaurants in Camogli, great icecream at Auriga Bar and lovely clothes at Julie, a small and lovely boutique on the sea.
Portofino is a very wonderful place, with beautiful villas, but during the high season, too much touristic.
Camogli on the contrary still preserves its fishermen’s village mood, and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
During winter times we advise it only if there is good weather. During some months, between October and February, a lot of shops and hotels are closed. However, if there is the chance of good weather, a visit is well worth the time. For the remaining period, April to September, we suggest it on any day, although best if between Thursdays and Sundays.
There isn’t much to do in Portofino, only rest and relax. It is the best place for this goal. The Piazzetta is always full of people, and you feel as if you’re in your living room. There are many Restaurants, serving especially fish, we suggest for example DaU Batti at Vico Nuovo 17 (behind the Piazzetta) where you must try their secret-recipe-cooked scampi, the famous single-brand boutiques such as Ermenegildo Zegna in the Piazzetta, managed by Serena Belli, and others.
In Via Roma you’ll be able to find on the right a small shop of cute local pot pieces. We also suggest an “aperitivo” at Winterose at the end of the Calata Marconi (the left one). It is a type of boutique of good wine with renowned brands. You’ll be able to enjoy a glass of wine a meter away from the sea.
You can learn about Portofino’s Restaurants on our pages here.
You can see Portofino’s Boutiques on our pages here.
For anything else, if you’re thinking of staying a night or two, we advise you stay at the Splendido Mare, a 5 star luxury hotel on the Piazzetta, or the Nazionale, a retro-styled 4 star hotel near it.
If you also want to swim in the sea, you could stay at the Piccolo Hotel, a very nice 4 star hotel, at 5 minutes walking distance from Portofino. It has a splendid private beach.
You can see where are located and book all three of these Hotels in Portofino on our hotels map here.
We suggest you visit Portofino’s Lighthouse. It is takes about 30 minutes walking which starts from the Piazzetta on the right. There are plants, fields, and you will feel calm. Take water with you and wear heelless shoes for this walk. We also suggest you visit the Brown Castle, on the same road, there is a fantastic view where you’ll be able to take pictures or film the surroundings.
Visit our suggestions page on what to see in Portofino here.
At about 10 km from Portofino, more precisely in a town called Rapallo, you’ll be able to play Golf surrounded by green colours, on a field of 5.629 metres, with a total Par of 70. It is a very hard field, full of natural obstacles, such as the three streams which run across it, which makes a lot of the holes hard to play. Built in 1931, it is surrounded by green fields enriched with various types of plants. It is the closest to Portofino.
Even a boat trip is a fantastic idea to pass the time in Portofino. We suggest visitingSan Fruttuoso, with its Christ of the Abyss and the Abbey, thevery romanticCamogli, Paraggi which has crystal-clear water and Santa Margherita Ligure. There are taxi boats in the Piazzetta on the right or, on the same side but up ahead, the public boats.
Visit our 3D panorama page about Paraggi and Portofino Bay.
There are no nightclubs or discos in Portofino. The closest is the Carillon in Paraggi – 30 minutes walking distance. We suggest visiting it from June to September only on Friday and Saturday nights, whereas for the remaining periods, only on Saturdays.
If you make clubbing one of your habits we only suggest you visit only on Saturdays during the months of July and August. The people there are quite young, between 20 and 40 years of age. The dress code is fashionable, not too elegant. They play mainstream, house and 70s. For women wearing high heels and who don’t want to walk, we suggest taking one of our cars. If you want, you’ll be able to have all the fun you can get by using our car plus driver service, up to 8 people – for trendy and freedom-full nights in Versilia at the Twiga, at Montecarlo’s Jimmy’s or at Le Vip Room in Saint Tropez.
Round trip on the same night with no driving stress or alcohol limits. We remind you that in Italy the alcohol consumption limit when driving is 0.50 g/l and during Friday and Saturday nights there are a lot of police controls.
Visit our Limo service to book your sparkling night here.
In Portofino you can wake up late in the morning, have breakfast in the Piazzetta, take a boat trip or swim in the Paraggi beach, enjoy an Aperitivo from 18 until 20:30, and have dinner around 21:30. During weekends and in the summer season, women usually go to dinner dressed quite elegantly. You’ll have the chance of buying a nice dress in many of the famous boutiques present in Portofino.
We always suggest wearing a tiny sweater on the shoulders from 18 onwards.
The Piazzetta is made up of hand shaped sandstone, so be careful when wearing high heels, try walking in the appropriate corridors. In town you will find a pharmacy, a hairdresser, food shops, newspapers and places where to get cigarettes.
There is a fantastic night every year on the 23rd of April on the Piazzetta in Portofino. It is San George’s Bonfire. They start a huge fire with lods of wood in front of the sea, serving grilled fish, playing music, dim lights, lots of people which all make for a very romantic atmosphere.
Check out a video of the Bonfire here.
Hears the famous song of Fred Buscaglione “I Love Portofino” here.
We do not suggest spending more than one day in Portofino in the period from October to April.
Keep in mind that if you choose an Hotel in Rapallo or Santa Margherita Ligure, reaching Portofino could be a nightmare. Endless queue of cars barely moving. So if you need to spend most of the time in portofino trade confort for closeness.
Portofino World, a world apart.
Comments:
Portofino, far and the way the most beautiful location on our trip. In our view, one of the most idyllic places in the world and we have travelled far and wide. We are so glad to have had this day. November 3, 2009.
Spencer & Melody Rosenberg
