Sightseeing in Portofino - what to see. Complete travel guide

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.

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.

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
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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♥ Castle 'Castello Brown' Portofino, 0.4 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure' Santa Margherita Ligure, 3.3 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello di Rapallo' Rapallo, 5.3 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello della Dragonara' Camogli, 7 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Chiavari Castle' Chiavari, 9.4 km from the center. On the map


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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♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale delle Cinque Terre' , 44.5 km from the center. On the map


♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano' , 86.9 km from the center. On the map


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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♥ Art museum 'Doge s Genoa' Genoa, 24.9 km from the center. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Diocesan Museum' Genoa, 25 km from the center. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Museum of Genoa Cathedral s Treasure' Genoa, 25 km from the center. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Musei di Strada Nuova' Genoa, 25.2 km from the center. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Palazzo Reale' Genoa, 25.7 km from the center. On the map


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. …
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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. …
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Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide.
Read this
25.09.2023
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide.

25.09.2023
Search touristic sites on the map of Portofino

