Tigullio's pearl: Portofino

From a simple fishing village to a VIP holiday destination: this is Portofino, “the pearl of the Tigullio”, known by all for its colorful houses, the famous square (piazzetta) and especially for being one of the most loved Italian places by the international jet set. Kardashian clan, Dolce e Gabbana, Valentino, Beyoncè and Jay-Z, Rihanna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston, are just some of the celebrities who spent their holidays here, enjoying the blue sea, relax, and high fashion shopping. Portofino, famous elite tourist destination, also offers “normal” tourists a lot of entertainment, from the sea to cultural attractions.

Starting from the famous piazzetta, in the village you can admire the 'Oratorio di Santa Maria Assunta, San Martin’s Church and Saint George’s Church, located on the promontory of the same name reachable on foot. Also here is the Brown Castle, an ancient military fort of the sixteenth century, and the lighthouse of Punta di Capo, one of the most panoramic points of the area. Walking along the paths of Mount Portofino you can also reach San Fruttuoso Abbey, towards Camogli, also accessible by sea: a very suggestive place of peace, in whose bay is located the famous “Christ of the abysses”, a bronze statue placed at 17 meters deep, wonderful attraction for diving lovers; for them there is also the backdrop of Cala degli Inglesi. For those who like to relax at the sea, in Portofino there are no great beaches, as well as in Liguria: to get to the only stretch of sand you have to go to Paraggi, whose homonymous bay is also called “Portofino beach”. From Portofino nearby, there is also a path called “Kisses Path”, dedicated to the most romantic. Trekking lovers will not be disappointed: Portofino is located in the Regional Park of the same name, with 80 km of paths that wind along the territory. And for those who are hungry for culture, at the foot of Brown Castle, on the Umberto Pier, there is the Park Museum. Founded in 1987, presents over 100 works of contemporary art by internationally renowned artists, spread over three natural terraces that make up the garden. Art and nature merge together, creating an exciting outdoor path.

Portofino is the most famous locality of the Ligurian Riviera of Levante, in the western part of the Gulf of Tigullio. We advise everyone not to try to get there by car: the town is closed to traffic, except authorized. To reach Portofino, therefore, you have to first arrive in Santa Margherita Ligure (highway A12 Genoa-La Spezia, exit Rapallo) and from there continue by taxi or bus. Santa Margherita is also the train stop to get off and continue by public transport indicated above. Definitely more suggestive to arrive to Portofino by sea: every day depart boats from Genoa, Camogli, Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure.