7 Amazing Places To Visit In Portofino, Italy
Here are some amazing places to visit today in Portofino, Italy. Portofino village is a gem nestled in the province of Genoa, northwestern part of Italy. It has many photogenic landscapes. Rows of pastel-colored houses, yacht clubs, beaches, beach clubs, iconic dishes, and what’s more, is what made Portofino one of the best fishing villages in Italy. Free Travel Checklist
It’s a place for those yearning for repose, enjoyment, and a laid-back atmosphere. Despite being a small village, it’s a costly place to vacation, consequent to its attractive landmarks and luxurious life.
For a complete, luxurious holiday in Portofino, be ready to plan ahead. Nonetheless, there are other alternatives to spending less money, like lodging in cheap hotels in the village or driving to any neighboring village.
However, Portofino is ranked the 15th most visited place globally; thus, millions of tourists flock to this small coastal town for a luxurious and independent holiday.
Are you thinking of where to visit while in Portofino? This article pinpoints seven must-see landscapes in Portofino. So, let’s get started.
Explore The Famous Brown Castle
Overlooking the village of Portofino in panoramic view is this charming 15th-century castle perched on a promontory.
The castle has a wealth of history evident through ruins of the Roman watchtower discovered where the castle stands.
It was formally called the castle of San Giorgio when it served as an ancient military fortress to Genoese. Its location made it a safe harbor to attack and defend the village from the pirates and others.
Over the years, the castle was reconstructed until it was purchased by a British consul Sir Montague Yeats Brown, thus, the name Brown.
Under this British consul, the castle was converted from a fortress to a villa. He created a Mediterranean garden in the castle with the help of his wife. Pine trees, rose flowers, pergolas, etc., overflows in this garden.
The castle remained an heirloom to Brown’s descendants until it was sold to another British couple, Colonel and Mrs. John Baber, who restored some ruined parts of the castle before it was bequeathed to Portofino in 1961.
Take many selfies while you are in its garden.
Shop At The Classic Boutiques In Portofino
Portofino is voted the best boutique village in Italy, and most international celebrities frequent there to shop some of their luxurious wares.
What made Portofino an expensive resort town is its classic fashion arcade and boutiques.
Most world’s top fashion brands like Armani, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga are situated there.
The locals are great craftsmen, as seen in the quality bags, laces, and jewelry they produce. You can shop at places like Mingo, Blue dream, Brunetto Tiziano, to name a few.
Do you want to have the feel? Withdraw some money from your savings, and shop in these boutiques in Portofino.
Visit Chiesa di San Martino (St. Martin’s Church) In Portofino
Situated at the periphery of Portofino is the 11th century San Martino church. Dedicated to the nativity of St. Martin’s. The church is the largest and oldest temple in Portofino.
Striped with pastel colors and adorned in a Romanesque pattern, San Martino is one of the highest flocked landmarks in Portofino.
These past centuries, the church was altered and modified, of which the last of its modification occurred in the 1800s. Lying next to the church is its bell tower with grandiose windows and enclosed with a dome from whence Portofino can be fully viewed.
The church’s interior has arches and columns and is opulently designed with marble, crystal glass windows, golden textures, and important paintings and sculptures. Most famous among these paintings is the eighteenth Madonna del Rosario.
Explore San Fruttuoso Abbot
Right on the village of San Fruttuoso rises this venerated 10th-century upscale monastery, built by Greek monks on the order of St. Benedict.
It was later dedicated to St. Fruttuoso, who was killed in 125 AD by the Roman Emperor Valerian.
The monastery is perched above a mint-colored bay. Its building is lavishly structured and has been renovated several times until its last renovation in the sixteenth century.
Behind the monastery sits a watchtower used as a defensive haven against pirates. Inside the abbot is where the remains of St. Fruttuoso were buried. The abbot’s crypt houses the tomb of the Doria family, which played a major role in building the abbot and a few other tombs.
You can walk about an hour from Portofino park museum to reach the abbot or take a boat ride.
Snorkel Into Christ Of The Abyss
Perfect divers and snorkelers.
The Christ of the abyss is a gigantic bronze statue of Jesus Christ plunged into the sea in the San Fruttuoso village, close to San Fruttuoso monastery.
This eight-foot-tall statue was sculpted and placed in the sea in 1954 by the sculptor Guido Galletti. The statue is recognized as the largest Christ statue in the world, and it’s a source of inspiration to all scuba divers. And also a good way of acknowledging the underwater.
Its placement was to commemorate the first Italian scuba driver, Gario Gonzatti, who died in 1947 in the water.
The sculpture awaits all dive-lovers with its outstretched arms and upward gaze to admire and appreciate the man-made wonder from 1954 till date.
Only expert divers can spot this in clear view, but if you are not good at snorkeling, look forward to the pictures on display around the place.
Beach Time In Paraggi Beach
As Portifino comprises a beautiful haven, paraggi beach is the highest and most beautiful beach in this fishing village.
Other beaches are shallow and rocky, which elevates paraggi beach as the best to revel. However, you will find red corals all over the beach, and the beach is loved by tourists and locals alike because of its charming emerald colors.
Being a public beach, it’s free, but when looking to enjoy yourself more by worshipping the sun in a lounger, you can move to beach clubs around.
Enjoy to the brim at the beach!
Visit Portofino Park Museum
Complete your tour in Portofino at this outdoor park museum. Most stunning outdoor museum in the world, this park museum is located off the tranquil harbor in Portofino.
Established in the 1980s, the park museum houses many flowering plants from across the world, and some contemporary artworks are exhibited there.
Some sculptures dangle from the tree branch like the colossal rhinoceros, whereas some are sitting on the ground.
Its peaceful surroundings make it a perfect place to repose.
Don’t forget to take pictures when you visit!
Concluding Note 7 Amazing Places To Visit In Portofino, Italy
Embarking on a sightseeing tour in Portofino is genuinely worth it. You will find many stunning landscapes in this small fishing village, and there are many things you can engage yourself in for a memorable holiday – that’s why Portofino is regarded as a pearl in Genoa province, Italy.
Get your things ready and explore these exotic landmarks in Portofino!
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