Is the coastal town of Portofino in Italy worth a visit?
A fishing village on the Ligurian coast south-east of Genoa cannot be more picturesque. Portofino is one of the most attractive postcard views on the Riviera di Levante.
Not a single house or hotel that doesn’t fit there stylistically. Because that’s the way it is, the jet set has been meeting there since the 1950s. The most recent example: the dream wedding of Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker. But a visit is also worthwhile for less well-heeled holidaymakers.
Take a look across from the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia on a yacht, spend a weekend at the Hotel Splendido and then quickly go to a meeting in Milan: This or something similar is the daily routine of many established Portofino visitors. This is joined by the nouveau riche and those who would like to be. A trip to Portofino is worthwhile just to experience this show with your own eyes.
Small but nice
25 years ago it was practically impossible to find a parking space in Portofino by car. In the meantime, the municipality has built a multi-storey car park, fee 6 euros per hour. However, the supply is still not sufficient to meet the demand.
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Because the small cul-de-sac to Portofino from Santa Margherita Ligure is very narrow, the rich and famous tend to keep to themselves in the evenings. Many day visitors therefore come with the excursion boat from La Spezia, Sestri Levante and Genoa.
Shop and drink like Flavio Briatore
However, there is not much space in the village with just 416 registered residents (source: ISTAT). There is the Via Roma and the central Piazzetta, lined with small cafés, restaurants, shops and boutiques with outrageous prices adapted to the desired clientele.
Hiking in the nature park
There is a nice walk past the Portofino lighthouse and the legendary Brown Castle to Punta Portofino at the end of the peninsula. If you stay longer, you should definitely hike through the Portofino Nature Park along the coast to Camogli. One of the most beautiful spots in Italy’s Liguria region.
