Portofino what to visit: 5 things to see absolutely

Italian version 🇮🇹

Portofino what to visit: 5 THINGS TO SEE ABSOLUTELY

✅ Before starting with Portofino what to visit – 5 things to see absolutely, here are some really interesting links about Portofino and Tigullio. Take a look! 😉

Portofino what to visit: welcome to Portofino, the most beautiful place in the world!

Before all, some very useful information, especially if you are going to visit Portofino for the first time.

You can reach Portofino very simply, taking the coastal road that starts from Santa Margherita Ligure.

There are no free car parking spaces, but there is a municipal parking garage (the minimum rate is 5 euros per hour) and a small private car park (Capriccioli).

In the summer and weekends it is very difficult to park, because the places fill up quickly.

So, consider other methods as well. There are buses leaving from Santa Margherita, ferries, you can rent bicycles or scooters, or you can have a nice walk.

Portofino is a very “expensive” place. Anyway, you can visit and appreciate it, even spending a few euros.

✔ In fact, what we propose you in this reading, is absolutely cheap!

Take a look at: The incredible Christ of the Abyss in San Fruttuoso

1️⃣ Portofino what to visit: The Piazzetta!

Famous all over the world for its beauty, its charm and frequented by people (and VIPs) from all over the world, Piazzetta is the first obligatory stop in Portofino.

Portofino, piazzetta di Portofino — Portofino what to visit: the Piazzetta by night! – Photo by Lolla Pensa from the **Gruppo Facebook**

The Piazzetta is a unique spectacle, with its tall and colorful houses, facing in a semicircle on the square and on the quays of the marina.

You can walk around looking at the splendid shop windows, enjoy an ice cream or relax with a coffee, sitting like true VIPs in a Dolce Vita movie. 😇

Piazzetta di Portofino — Piazzetta by day – Photo by Dante Bergamini, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

You’ll immediately understand why the Piazzetta has been immortalized in so many films, soap operas and songs.

Enjoy the moment! 🥂

Take also a look at: Portofino beach, the best 3 beaches in Portofino!

2️⃣ The Brown Castle (Castello Brown)

Portofino what to visit. The Castello Brown is located on the hill of Piazzetta and has a very long history.

It was built in the late Middle 16th century – on the ruins of a Roman fortification, dating back to the second or third century AD. It once served as a military fortress to defend the village.

Portofino, Castello Brown — Portofino what to visit: Castello Brown – Photo by Cristina Beltramo, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

The Municipality of Portofino definitively bought the property in 1961, making it a venue for exhibitions, weddings and cultural and social activities.

One of the wonders of the Castle, is the Mediterranean garden, composed by various species of flowers, including many rose plants, and wonderful pergolas.

Portofino, piazzetta — What a view from Castello Brown! Photo by Sara Cenacchi, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

From here, you can admire an incredible panorama on Portofino and it’s Gulf.

Castello Brown can be reached with a 10 minutes easy walk. The entrance fee is 5 euros.

Castle opening hours:

15 March to 31 March: from 10 to 17
1st April to 31st May and 1st September to 31st October: from 10am to 6pm
from 1st June to 31st August: from 10am to 7pm
November 1st to March 15th: Saturday and Sunday only, from 10am to 5pm

Take a look at: The incredible Christ of the Abyss in San Fruttuoso

3️⃣ The Portofino Lighthouse

Portofino what to visit. The Lighthouse has been active since 1910 and is 40 meters up on the sea.

With a range of 16 nautical miles, Portofino lighthouse is still today a fundamental guide for all the sailors.

Portofino, Faro — Portofino lighthouse -Photo by Dante Massera, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

Located on the top of the homonym “Punta del Faro” – reachable by continuing the route from Castello Brown – it ideally represents the border between the Tigullio Gulf and the neighboring Golfo Paradiso, on the eastern side.

The Lighthouse has a guardian, but it cannot be visited.

So, you might be thinking: why I need to see the Lighthouse, if I can’t visit it?

Portofino, Faro di Portofino — Arriving at the lighthouse – Photo by Paulo Jose da Silva, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

Very simple. For the absolutely unique and spectacular view from here.

Plus, with a little bit of luck, it’s the perfect spot for dolphin and (more rarely) whale sightings.

Take also a look at: How to arrive at Portofino Lighthouse and Olivetta Beach

4️⃣ Portofino beach

First of all, a necessary premise. Portofino does not have a real beach, as almost all the other Ligurian cities.

▶ The Bay of Paraggi is – “in fact” – considered the beach of Portofino. Paraggi, is located on the road to Portofino, just 1.5 km before.

You will not be confused. The beauty of Paraggi Bay will leave you breathless. Paraggi Bay it’s considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.

Baia di Paraggi — Paraggi bay – photo by Alessandra Frumento, from our **Gruppo Facebook**

Here in Paraggi, there are various beach club and free access points, including a wonderful little “bay in the bay”, called Niasca.

Take also a look at: Paraggi bay, 3 things you need to know!

Let’s go back to Portofino…

▶ A few hundred meters before entering in Portofino, there is a very small but suggestive bay, with a little free beach, called Spiaggia del Cannone.

Portofino, Baia del Cannone — Baia del Cannone – Photo by Marisa Saragni, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

It can be reached walking down a ladder, that starts at the side of the carriage road.

Take also a look at: Walk of kisses, the best path in Portofino!

▶ Still in Portofino, continuing on foot along the path that connects the Church of San Giorgio to the Lighthouse, you can reach a very small beach, called “spiaggia dell’Olivetta“

Spiaggia dell'Olivetta, Portofino — Path to the Olivetta little beach – photo by Marisa Saragni, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

This place is also sadly known to historical chronicles.

In December 1944, German soldiers massacred here 21 partisans and a civilian, in retaliation. In the small bay, you can see a commemorative plaque, with the names of the fallen.

Furthermore, the Germans wanted to blow up the Borgo and raze it to the ground. If this didn’t happen, we must say THANKS to a very brave woman. Find the whole story here!

Take also a look at: 5 things to see in Santa Margherita Ligure

5️⃣ The churches

Portofino what to visit? Last but not least, the churches.

There are the Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta, the Church of San Martino and the Church of San Giorgio, reachable by the same walk that leads to Castello Brown and the Lighthouse.

The church of San Giorgio, is located in a magnificent raised position with respect to the square, which dominates from above.
Originally, it was built during the 12th century on the remains of an older chapel.

Chiesa di San Giorgio, Portofino — San Giorgio’s church – photo by Dante Bergamini, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

During the Second World War in Portofino, the church was completely destroyed during an air raid. The current structure was built only in 1950, faithfully respecting the original.

Inside are the remains of San Giorgio, patron saint of Portofino.

Portofino, San Giorgio, Falò di Portofino — San Giorgio’ s celebrations in Portofino – Photo di Santa Magazine, from the **Gruppo Facebook**

The parish church dedicated to San Martino is located in the oldest part of the village.

Inside, there are pictorial and sculptural works, such as the Annunciation of the eighteenth century, the canvas of the Madonna del Rosario, and a painting depicting the saints Rocco, Sebastiano and Pantaleo by a Ligurian painter of the sixteenth century.