Portofino: a dream town from a beautiful song
In the past I only knew the name Portofino from a popular song “Love in Portofino” but now I know that it is one of the most beautiful towns in the Italian Riviera.
I recently wrote about my visit to Milan, and today I want to tell you about a different Italian town. Portofino, which is the town I visited, is in my opinion one of the most charming towns on the Italian coast. It has all the things I like: beautiful nature, blue sea, rocky cliffs, narrow streets, colourful stones, a yacht marina, excellent cuisine and pure luxury.
Portofino draws the rich and the famous. This was where Wayne Rooneygot married, and where Kylie Minogue vacations, and, last but not least, it was also one of the filming locations for the US TV show The Bold and the Beautiful.
The town has quite a long history the traces of which can be found in the local monuments. I recommend that you start the sightseeing on the main market square or the Piazzetta, surrounded by picturesque tenement houses. This is definitely the best place to stop for lunch – I recommend ordering fish.
The next stop on your sightseeing itinerary should be the Castello Brown dating back to 1557, located on the bay. It currently houses a museum and it is worth visiting not only because of the collection it holds, but also the view on the town and bay. Those who love visiting old churches will not be disappointed with the St Martin’s Roman church. Inside you will find many sculptures and paintings by the artists of Genua and Liguria.
Nature buffs will also find something special in Portofino. The town is situated on the premises of a protected National Park. There are no public beaches here and diving is only permitted in designated sites. The same applies to walking in the area – you are only allowed to follow designated trails.
I spent my time in Portofino on rest and relaxation. I heartily recommend the same to you. A slow walk, coffee at one of the numerous cafés or lunch in a restaurant overlooking the sea is definitely the best option for a carefree day in this pretty town. And once you are done with the R&R, be sure to go shopping in one of the boutiques of the world’s most famous luxury brands.
