To reach Portofino itself by the most direct road route, take
the Rapallo exit from the A12 motorway. The coast road leads into a small
piazza with resident-only parking, but the (small and expensive) public
multi-storey car-park is adjacent.
Alternatively a regular bus service from Santa Margerita
Ligure railway station terminates here or, in season, you can catch a
coastal pleasure boat from Genoa or Camogli.
Whichever way you chose to visit this pearl of the
Mediterranean, the journey will be worth it, and you will be following the
footsteps of The Duke of Windsor, Hemingway, the Burtons, Onassis and many
others seeking leisure and diversion. A short stroll from the piazza
leads past chic designer shops such as Gucci to the harbour, with its famous
pastel-tinted houses. There is a wide choice of wine bars and restaurants catering
for visitors by both land and sea.
The small yacht haven was the point of departure for Richard
the Lionheart on the 3rd crusade, and today, deceptively, offers
300 mooring berths, and in season will be full to capacity with yachts passing to and
from other nautical highspots such as Monaco.
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Classic view |
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This guide book view of Portofino is from the small terrace outside the parish church of San Giorgio. |
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Harbour entrance |
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The harbour opens out onto a large bay formed by the Portofino peninsula |
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Reflections |
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The tall quayside buildings are reflected back by the dappled light of the clear harbour waters. Colourful fish abound. |
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Buoys await |
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Early in the season (April) there is space for more boats - but for how much longer? |
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Quayside |
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Early evening, and the fading light still catches the far side of the harbour |
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Motor yacht; San Giorgio behind |
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Anyone for gin and tonic? |
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Yachts at mooring |
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There are two seriously pleasing yachts here today, the dark blue one in the distance boasting teak decking. |
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Coastal path |
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A small yacht at anchor in the shade of the wooded hillside |
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Oranges |
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Citrus fruits thrive this far north because of the mild winter coastal climate |
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Wisteria |
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And the wisteria drape their cool blue blooms in April |
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Cliff |
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The sea-side view from the terrace at San Giorgio |
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Splash pool |
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And today a placid, crystal-clear sea swirls around the rocks |
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To enjoy a short stroll amongst magnificent scenery, take
the paved path up to the parish church of San Giorgio (dragon-slaying
emblems abound). There are magnificent views both back over the harbour and
out to sea. Then perhaps continue to Castello Brown, with lush gardens and
panoramic
views from its terraces (open to the public), and on to the lighthouse ('Falo').
The walk takes you past beautiful walled villa gardens.
Follow this link to return to the Portofino Peninsula page.
E mail:
kerrie@anitalianadventure.co.uk
0039 0141 851 154
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