A Day in Portofino
Welcome to the Ligurian fishing village of Portofino! This small clustered village of pastel buildings is located between Genoa and La Spezia on the Italian Riviera and it’s calling your name! Stunning views, delicious food, and loving people fill this charming village.
If you want to stay in Portofino, prepare to truly unwind! You can honestly see it all and do it all in one day. We stayed in Rapallo which was a short ferry ride with just a quick stop in Santa Margherita. Our plans included the Cinque Terre as well so Rapallo was most central for our needs and had a ton of content too.
A Day in Portofino, Italy
A Gem Along the Italian Riviera
Getting Here
Grab the ferry from Rapallo and enjoy the beautiful views! The ride is less than 30 minutes and seeing the coastline from the water is priceless. (Actual price of the ferry is around 10-15€)
Shopping
Don’t let the traditional village look deceive you; this village is quite chic! You can pick up little regional sorts of gifts, or you can head over to Hermes, Louis Vuitton, or Salvatore Ferragamo. If shopping is your thing, you’ll be sure to find what you seek. Ladies, if you want something more local for you or the kids, head to Sartoria Antica.
A Beautiful Walk
The port area is the perfect location for shopping, having a snack by the water, and to have a drink. The best view, however, is up at Al Faro di Portofino Lounge Bar, a mere 1.1km walk up. So follow along and see all this greatness along the way. Upon reaching Al Faro, you’ll be able to relax, unwind, and enjoy fabulous cocktails with the most amazing views over the Ligurian Sea!
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Chiesa di San Giorgio
Along the walk is a 12th-century church with a rustic yellow facade. While the church itself has seen better days, it’s quite charming. It was constructed in 1154 in Romanesque style. The church was destroyed in the 2nd war but rebuilt in 1950 with the plans from the original construction.
Inside of the church, you’ll find relics of St. George from the crusades. The outside grounds feature a beautiful cemetery that’s worth the quick visit.
Castello Brown
Just two hundred meters past the church you’ll pass Castello Brown, a house museum that overlooks the village and the sea. You can enjoy the view from that look out or tour the relics and the garden.
This castle was constructed in 1557 and is believed to have been used for harbor defense since it’s initial build. Military engineer Giovanni Maria Olgiati designed it.
In 1622 the castle was expanded to its current size. There was a smaller tower that was destroyed by the English under Napoleon’s reign. The castle was then abandoned in the early 1800s and purchased by a private owner in 1867 where he and his descendants owned the property until it sold in 1949 to Colonel and Mrs. John Baber, of England.
In the year 1961, the property was sold back to the City of Portofino.
Al Faro di Portofino Lounge Bar
The walk to this point is sure to have proven to be more than worthwhile. The views are striking, and you’ll be sure to have excellent photos to document your adventure! Grab a table at Alfaro di Portofino Lounge bar and relax and unwind. Light snacks are available as well as an extensive menu of cocktails, wine, and of course - gelato!
We spent around 3-hours just chatting, taking a few photos, and sampling the delicious fresh drinks! The walk back was downhill so quite easy, especially after knocking back a few cocktails!
Dinner: Taverna del Marinaio
After narrowing down the list of great options for dining in Portofino, I landed firmly on Taverna del Marinaio. We made reservations ahead of time which I always recommend in Europe, especially in peak seasons.
This region is famous for its pesto, and you'll quickly see why. It’s incredible. The menu is guaranteed to please, but I have to recommend the Pappardelle al pesto “corto,” a small pasta starter course before your main. It’s the best example of simplicity on a plate and being a perfect dish.
For your main course, there are plenty of fish options and most likely fresh specials. The staff was incredible, and we enjoyed the selection!
I'm a US expat, blogging photographer and world-traveler who may or may not like tequila a bit too much.