This small fishing village on the Ligurian coast just a short drive from Genova has over the years become the seaside resort of choice for the world’s rich and famous.  Italian fashion icons Dolce & Gabbana are often photographed with superstar visitors at their villa here.  Nestled around a tiny harbour, this town is accessible by boat or road, but with very limited vehicular access to the town centre.  The nearest train station is in the neighbouring town of Santa Margherita Ligure.  

See:

• Being a small holiday resort and fishing village, there isn’t a lot of sightseeing to be done in Portofino.  The Castello Brown was built in the 16th century, and overlooks the town and the sea.  The Hotel Splendido in the centre of town is a former monastery that was abandoned due to repeated Saracen attacks in the 16th century. 

Experience:

• Portofino is all about the experience – the beaches, the lifestyle, the shops, the food and wine.  The town centre has boutiques of Italy’s top designers, a wide variety of restaurants and cafes fill the streets, and the villas in the surrounding hills offer idyllic panoramas of the area.
• Yachting is a popular activity here, and also a popular way to arrive into the town.  Hire a boat, bike or moped to explore the area.

Secrets of the City:

• In 1954, a statue of Christ was submerged in the bay to protect fishermen and divers at sea.