Portofino, Italy is a big draw for tourists and celebrities alike. This small fishing village is located in a picturesque location of tranquil deep blue waters. It’s also notable for being a holiday resort with luxury hotels and apartments to stay at. There is a thriving art community, so the shopping will both be exciting and unique, as you’ll be able to bring home unique pieces that you can’t buy from just any shop in Italy.
Portofino’s harbor is surrounded by columns of tall apartment buildings in varying shades of rosy colors. Boating is a popular activity here, but you can also enjoy learning about the history of the village and viewing the sites during your visit.
There are many reasons why tourists love to choose Portofino over any other harbor city in Italy. If you’re spending time in Italy, no trip would be complete without adding this harbor town to your itinerary.
How to Get to Portofino, Italy
Portofino, Italy is located on the upper west side of mainland Italy, or that long tall boot, on the Ligurian coast. It’s located within the Liguria region and the province of Genoa (GE). It’s a small village that only comprises 2.6 square kilometers of land. The elevation from the sea is only 4 meters. There are only about 450 permanent residents here, many of them working in the fishing or the tourism industries.
Portofino is about 45 kilometers from Genoa where you can find the transportation hub of this region. The closest major airport is the Christopher Columbus airport in Genoa. You can choose to rent a car. Your drive will only be about 35.8 kilometers. Be aware that if you do drive your car into this small village that there isn’t a great need to drive around. There is also one parking garage there, and it’s quite expensive, about 5.00 euros per hour.
You have a variety of choices when traveling from Genoa to Portofino. You can travel by train, or take the ferry in. If you’re coming from Rome, there is also a direct train straight into Portofino.
Most travel agents recommend that you simply take the ferry in. You can hop on a boat at Genoa, or from Rapallo, or Santa Margherita.
The History of Portofino
Pliny the Elder lived from AD 23 to AD 79. He called this portion of Italy the “Portus Delphini” or “Port of the Dolphin”.
In one record from 986, Adelaide of Italy has assigned the village to the closest Abbey, San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte. In 1171 it became a part of Rapallo. Then in 1229, it became a part of the Republic of Genoa. During this time the town has had a thriving fleet of fishing boats. The merchant marine also set up in the Republic of Genoa, but since there was little space in the harbor for their boats, they only used it temporarily.
In 1409, Portofino was sold to Charles VI of France and the Republic of Florence. But after the King was ousted, the Florentines took back Florence and gave Portofino back.
During the 15th century, four notable families ruled in this region. These included the Fieschi, Spinola, Adorno, and Doria families.
In 1815, Portofino became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1861, it was a part of the Unified Kingdom of Italy.
Portofino became a popular destination for tourists starting in the late 19th century. The British were the first visitors to discover its tranquility, then the aristocracy from northern Europe began to visit.
Travel to Portofino in the 19th century involved getting there by horse and cart. This journey began at Santa Margherita Ligure. Two famous British people were noted for making a journey to Portofino a popular travel destination—Aubrey Herbert, diplomat—and Elizabeth von Arnim, novelist. Soon many British expatriates were building houses in this region.
By 1950, tourism had actually exceeded fishing in revenue in this small village. Around the port were many restaurants and cafes.
More Recent History of Portofino
It’s believed that Portofino was the inspiration for Portmeirion in Wales. This village was built between 1925 and 1975. The architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis has denied that claim, though he said that Portofino did give him the image of a perfect example of manmade adornment of a harbor.
Leo Chiosso wrote the “Love in Portofino” song which was released in 1958 and sung by Fred Buscaglione.
The love of Portofino has traveled as far as the USA. At the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida is a full-scale replica of Portofino Bay.
Even Tokyo has a replica of Portofino in their Tokyo DisneySea adventure park in Chiba, Japan.
Portofino has had its share of exposure in many TV shows and film, including Top Gear and Beyond the Clouds (1995). Andrea Bocelli recorded a concert in 2013 in Portofino which can be purchased on DVD. Even Ferrari has named one of its cars after Portofino, in 2017.
The Exciting Sites of Portofino
There are many interesting sites to see in Portofino. Most of them comprise part of the unique history of this small fishing village. Here’s a small list of a few things that you can see during your time here.
Statue of the Christ of the Abyss
This statue is a bit difficult to see, as you have to go scuba diving to see it. In August 1954, it was installed underwater. It lays in the inlet at a depth of 17 meters. Its purpose is to protect fishermen and scuba divers from danger.
It was to honor Dario Gonzatti, who was the first Italian to use scuba diving gear. He passed away in 1947.
The statue was created by Guide Galleti. The statue features an image of Christ as he looks upwards with open arms and offers blessings and peace.
Castello Brown
You can see the Castello Brown structure high above on a cliffside. This used to be a castle fortress used to provide defense for the harbor. It’s believed it was built in the 15th century. The castle was essential in holding back an attack on the town in 1575.
The structure was enlarged by 1624. Sadly, the tower was destroyed in 1798 by Napoleon. It was eventually abandoned in 1815.
The castle became a villa after undergoing renovations in 1867 onwards. It underwent further restoration until 1949. Finally, in 1961, the City of Portofino purchased it. Today it is a museum that you can visit.
Church of St. Martin & Church of St. George
The village has two churches that are worth a visit for their historical record. The first is Church of St. Martin or Divo Martino. This church was built in the 12th century.
The Church of St. George is also quite interesting, where you can see relics of some of the saints.
Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta
The Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta has been built in gothic style. It’s also known as the Church of the Confraternity of the Assumption. This church doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside you can see some beautiful stained glass windows. Your visit will be short, as there’s not a lot to see inside, but you can light a candle if you wish.
Here you’ll get to see a sculpture called Madonna of the Chains. This was to record the time when barbarians would invade the region, and chain the locals of Riomaggiore up, to get them to pay a ransom for release.
Where to Stay in Portofino
There aren’t a lot of hotels to stay at here, but you can also choose an apartment for rent.
The Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare is rated five stars and the best you’ll find here. It rises above on several levels against the hills. Here you can expect luxury and excellent customer service.
If you’re looking for luxury but not at such a high cost, the Eight Hotel Portofino and the Hotel Piccolo Portofino might interest you.
If you’re seeking something more affordable for your family to stay at, the Albergo Nazionale and the Eden offer the basics. Both are still good locations and have great service.
If you want a fully equipped room, the U Camin features a variety of apartments with a fully equipped kitchen. There is also a beautiful garden to enjoy. Each apartment holds up to 4 people. There is also the Appartamento Fondaco which offers good value for travelers.
Celebrations in Portofino
Portofino’s patron saint is St. George. Once a year, on April 23rd, a small celebration is held for St. George’s Bonfire. There is also a religious celebration held for the first Sunday after this date.
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Book Your Trip to Portofino Today
Portofino offers many opportunities for rest and relaxation, but you won’t get bored if you want to venture out walking. There is much to see and do here in this relaxing seaside town. You may even be inspired to create art, like the hundreds of other artists who venture here each year.
