Sightseeing in Portofino - what to see. Complete travel guide
Portofino is the smallest town in the Italian province of Genoa. This is an elite tourist destination that is equally popular with Italians and foreign guests. Many popular films were staged in Portofino in the 90s of the previous century. After this, the Italian resort gained worldwide recognition and started attracting celebrities, politicians, and simply rich people. Local beaches amaze their guests with cleanness and well-developed infrastructure. The Blue Flag label is proof of the high environmental standards of Portofino beaches. The resort is located in a beautiful area with rich vegetation, and the sea offers an unforgettable opportunity to see and swim with dolphins.
The first mentions of the Italian resort date back to the 10th century. However, some sources suggest that there was a settlement here many centuries earlier. The ancient Roman literature of the 1st century AD contains information about Portus Delphini or the Port of the Dolphin. The port got such an interesting name because or a big number of these aquatic mammals that lived in the region. In 1229, Portofino joined the Republic of Genoa, the rulers of which decided to locate fleet in the settlement. Two hundred years later, when the king of France Charles VI was leaving Genoa, he sold the settlement to Florence. However, soon Portofino returned to its previous owner.
Portofino is a coastal town but there are almost no good beaches here. There are some coastal areas but they are usually rocky and are a private territory of hotels. When local people and tourists want to sunbathe, they usually go to one of the nearby settlements. If you book a room in a hotel with a private beach, you will not be disappointed. Even rocky beaches are still good enough to enjoy quality pastime on the Mediterranean coast. Water is clean and transparent here, so it is easy to see the underwater world in detail. Vacationers are always welcome to rent sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as different equipment for such water sports as diving and canoeing.
Would you like to visit the most unusual attraction in Portofino? For this purpose, you will need to take a boat ride. Don’t worry, there is no need to dive in order to see the “treasure” of the town. The water is so clean and transparent that it is easy to see everything hidden in the depths of the sea. A bronze statue of Jesus Christ sank in the coastal water in 1954. Jesus has his arms stretched upward as if he is talking to heaven. Authors called their work “Christ of the Abyss”. This mesmerizing sculpture is dedicated to Dario Gonzatti.
Why is this statue dedicated to him? In 1947, Italian diver Dario Gonzatti died not far from the bay in Portofino. He was the first diver who made an underwater adventure. The height of Christ of the Abyss is two and a half meters. The statue stands seventeen meters deep into the sea. However, this distance doesn’t prevent tourists from seeing this landmark of Portofino without diving. Once, a ship’s anchor damaged the hand of Jesus Christ. The sculpture was brought back to the surface, repaired, cleaned from the sticky seaweed and silt, and then returned to the sea abyss. This is where the sculpture has been standing since that time.
Do you like mountains? In Portofino, tourists have an opportunity to visit the regional park that has many hiking trails on the mountain slopes. The total length of the trails is approximately eighty kilometers. Each path leads travelers to an observation area with a stunning view of the two and its surroundings. While going to the top, you might encounter various local animals such as salamanders, goats that live on the mountain slopes, and numerous squirrels. There are also wild boars but it is better not to approach them. Continuous bird singing will make your walk even more pleasant.
There are no direct routes to Portofino, so prepare to make a change. As a rule, tourists prefer to arrive in Genoa first. After this, the sea is the most comfortable way of reaching Portofino. There is a ferry that connects the two settlements every day. In Genoa, there is a large airport that receives flights from many large European cities. The distance from the airport to Portofino is forty-five kilometers. It is always possible to reach the resort town by bus or taxi.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Portofino and surroundings
Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Portofino
♥ Castle 'Castello Brown' Portofino, 0.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure' Santa Margherita Ligure, 3.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello di Rapallo' Rapallo, 5.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello della Dragonara' Camogli, 7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Chiavari Castle' Chiavari, 9.4 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all parks
National and city parks around Portofino
♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale delle Cinque Terre' , 44.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano' , 86.9 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Portofino and around
♥ Art museum 'Doge s Genoa' Genoa, 24.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Diocesan Museum' Genoa, 25 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Museum of Genoa Cathedral s Treasure' Genoa, 25 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Musei di Strada Nuova' Genoa, 25.2 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Palazzo Reale' Genoa, 25.7 km from the center. On the map
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Sights around Portofino from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Riomaggiore Town
From the series “Small Flamboyant Towns Painted with Van Gogh Colors”
Check on the map: Distance from Portofino center - 48.6 km.
The old town has a national-scale symbol - the delicious wine that is brewed following special recipes. There are some wonderful ethnic restaurants, where visitors are offered specialties of the freshest seafood and best local wine. A wine bottle remains the most popular tourist gift. You can buy it just at the winery. Riomaggiore is one of the few towns in the world, where it’s prohibited to drive a car. Mountain streets are very narrow and steep. Travelers will find it convenient to travel on foot or by bicycle. Tourists can also rent a scooter. …
Read further Distance from Portofino center - 48.6 km.
Vernazza
From the series “Amazing Cities on the Rocks”
Check on the map: Distance from Portofino center - 41.9 km.
The Church of St. Margaret of Antioch is the town's main attraction. Its construction began in the 11th century. It was originally a striking example of the Romanesque style. It was completed with original Baroque elements after reconstruction in the mid-18th century. The palace with galleries is located near the temple. It is considered one of the most luxurious buildings in the town. Some of the old fortification walls and towers of the 16th century have been preserved here. A striking monument from the 17th century is located in the immediate vicinity. This is the Church of St. Francis. Fans of historical sites will be able to walk around the grounds of the Doria Castle. It was built in the 11th century. A magnificent view of the surrounding area opens from its territory. …
Read further Distance from Portofino center - 41.9 km.
Search touristic sites on the map of Portofino
All about Portofino, Italy - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Portofino, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Portofino in few days.
