The Charming Portofino- 7 Things To Do In A Luxurious Italian Coastal Gem

Nestled south of Genoa lies the charming town of Portofino, a summer destination for affluent visitors. It’s a perfect day trip from Genoa and an excellent preparation for hiking in Cinque Terre.

Along its shoreline, you’ll find the wonderful beaches and hiking opportunites. Embraced by the colourful houses, Portofino will remind you to the lovely French towns such as Menton.

Portofino is one of the prettiest places in Northern Italy, making the Liguria region an incredible destination for romantic holidays.

Exploring Portofino Natural Park offers stunning trails in a Mediterranean ambiance, which would be a pity to miss.

Be ready for your Italian adventure in Portofino and to discover more of the Ligurian coast.

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How to get to Portofino

Reaching Portofino from Genoa is easy, making it a fantastic day trip. Traveling by train from Genoa Centrale or Genoa Brignole to Santa Margherita Ligure/Portofino will take approximately 40 minutes. Then take a bus to cover the next 5km towards Portofino, which stays just across the train station.

1. Piazza Martiri & its harbour

The charming little square or Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta awaits you as you step down to Portofino. With Marina di Portofino in view, you can admire the colourful houses around and trendy restaurants.

Vibrating the meaning of Italian Dolce Vita, you’ll enter its fantastic history, transferring you to the world of various celebrities. Portofino reminiscents to Ernest Hemingway, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton or Clark Gable, bringing the peace of Hollywood.

It’s an incredible fact that this little square hosted many movies such as Wolf of the Wall Street or the Murder Mystery.

2. Enjoy the little hike to the Castle Brown & Spiagga del’Olivetta

On the small hill surrounding the town, a wonderful castle will catch your eyes. Following the road to Castle Brown will lead you to the Mediterranean scenery and stunning vegetation. After the breathtaking view of the castle, you may visit it for a small fee.

Taking roots in the 15th century, you can relax in its garden caffe and enjoy the views. Hiking to the castle would take about 20 minutes one way.

Spiaggia del’Olivetta hides down the way to the center unveiling a tiny beach full of charm.

3. Continue to the lighthouse

Following your way further to Portofino Lighthouse will lead you to stunning views as the ocean spreads in front. Though you cannot visit it inside, the tranquil atmosphere that intertwines with the views will be your reward.

Standing on the cliff as a guide to sailors, it’s very well worth visiting. To get there, it’s about a 30-minute walk from the center, and you can relax at the onsite cocktail bar.

4. Hiking to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso & its cute beach

Unfolding the trails of Portofino Natural Park, you’ll be allured by the little bay with the San Fruttuoso Abbey. Within 5 km from central Portofino, you’ll have a perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim. If you’re not in a mood for walking, taking a boat a fantastic way to reach it.

Observing the fishes will give you a fantastic chnce for your snorkelling adventures. The abbey which sits right on the seashore unveils its rich history. This stunning cove is not totally isolated as you can enjoy a stunning food in La Cantina.

5. Relax at Baia Cannone, close to the center

Baia Cannone is a fantastic way to stop the day in a charming little cove. Only 10 minutes walk from the town by the road, you’ll have a chance to take amazing photos.

Being much in the shade, it gets dark pretty soon.

6. Enjoy the Beach at Bagni Fiore

Strolling further away from Portofino towards Santa Margherita about 20 minutes, Bagni Fiore is a peaceful retreat. Since boats are not allowed, it’s such a fancy location.

Considering the presence of Brigitte Bardot and Elisabeth Taylor, Bagni Fiore becomes pretty exclusive to visit. Being the part of the Natural Park, it’s surrounded by the Castle of Paraggi and Kissing Promenade.

There’s a fantastic beach club on the beach, but don’t expect it to be cheap.

7. Take the Cruise around Portofino

Cruising around Portofino might be your favourite way to discover the surrounding sites and enjoy the coastal scenery. As Portofino has a treasure of places to visit, you’ll perhaps need more than a day to discover the area.

Instead of any boat, try the traditional gozzo boat. With these small boats, you can enjoy a private atmosphere, just like at Lake Como, making it more romantic. Experiencing the culture of a fishing village will be even more stunning with the boat tour in Portofino.

Not just a boat tour, kayaking or snorkelling will give you a sense of adventure in Portofino.

Taking a ferry to Punta Chiappa

Punta Chiappa is a wonderful place to retreat on the Western shore of the peninsula. Traveling by boat is a fantastic way to enjoy the coastal scenery and the surrounding mountains.

The lovely church- San Nicolo di Capodimonte- enriches the area at Punta Chiappa.

Bonus- Visiting the towns around Portofino

Cinque Terre is a popular destination that perfectly complements a visit to Portofino.

A visit to Camogli will give you a chance to escape the crowds. With pastel-coloured buildings sitting on the hills you’ll have another set of Ligurian pictures. Castello Dragone is an awesome place to dive into Italian history and open only in summer. Hiking in Camogli will perfectly connect you with the beauty of Ligurian coast. Take a trail from Portofino to Camogli and absorb the picturesque landscape.

Santa Margherita Ligure

This charming town is very well worth visiting on your return to Genoa and strolling along its seaside promenade. Villa Durazzo is one of the most stunning historical sights to visit with the beautiful park around.

Tips before you come

Being a popular tourist destination, Portofino is quite expensive to visit. That’s why I would recommend a day trip from Genoa and get the most of your visit.

As it’s a protected natural area, you should take a special care of respecting the environment. That’s also a reason to explore the National Park and not only a town. With its marvelous bays, Portofino is a town that you’ll love to return.

Getting to Portofino by car is not suggestible as it’s difficult and expensive to find a parking place.

Final thoughts

If you’re hiking Cinque Terre on a day trip, don’t miss a visit to Portofino. Not minding the prices, you can easily make just another day trip and enjoy the luxurious vibes. Such a charming town is a perfect opportunity to enjoy amazing beaches and coastal hikes in Northern Italy.

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