Aug. 2025
Portofino is a small, picturesque fishing village turned luxury resort town located on the Italian Riviera, in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. Famed for its pastel-colored houses, luxury yachts, and crystal-clear waters, it’s one of the most iconic seaside destinations in the Mediterranean.
The nearest station is Santa Margherita Ligure, with connections to Genoa. There are ferries or private boats connect Portofino to nearby Riviera towns.
What Makes Portofino Special
- Natural Harbor: The town is built around a small, sheltered bay lined with luxury yachts, fishing boats, and waterfront cafes.
- Colorful Buildings: Brightly painted Ligurian-style homes in yellow, pink, and terracotta cascade down the hillsides.
- Exclusive Atmosphere: A longtime destination for movie stars, royals, and international jet-setters. Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rihanna have all vacationed here.
- Protected Parkland: Surrounded by Portofino Regional Natural Park and Marine Reserve, offering pristine nature trails, cliffs, and diving spots.
Top Attractions
- Piazzetta di Portofino: The heart of the village, a small square with cafes, boutiques, and stunning views of the harbor.
- Castello Brown: A 16th-century fortress on a hilltop offering panoramic views of Portofino and the sea.
- Church of San Giorgio: A lovely coastal church that houses relics of St. George and overlooks the town from a scenic cliff.
- Lighthouse (Faro di Portofino): Located at the tip of the peninsula, with spectacular sunset views.
- Paraggi Beach: A nearby sandy cove with emerald water, popular for swimming and snorkeling.
Portofino is small but a popular place to visit, so we decided to take a day trip to there by train and ferry. It was indeed very nice and relaxing there. We enjoyed a quick lunch at an outdoor café in front of the harbor. There were so many luxury boats and yachts parked there. I could only imagine the lifestyle of these rich people and quite jealous that they could spend more days there.
We hiked up to Castello Brown, in order to enjoy the full view of this beautiful peninsula town. I could even see the other side of Portofino, which we did not have time to visit, but I am still glad to spend time here, especially that it was more like a vocational place for European locals, hidden from international tourists.
