Tucked along the Ligurian coast between Rapallo and the wild headlands of the Portofino promontory, Portofino, once-sleepy fishing village, has gradually become a global icon of beauty and style. Its pastel harbor, Hollywood glamour, and discreet luxury are instantly recognizable; however, Portofino’s true charm lies elsewhere. From scenic hikes to secret coves, these are the best things to do in Portofino.
Every journey starts here: the Piazzetta; intimate and sunlit, framed by cafés and pastel facades that glow softly under the Ligurian light.
Today this square is a symbol of elegance, where yachts drift just beyond the moorings and people sip aperitivi (happy-hour) from sparkling crystal glasses. But once, this was where fishermen hauled in their catch, where nets dried on the stone steps and daily life unfolded slowly, to the rhythm of the sea.
That rhythm hasn’t vanished. It echoes still; in the slow sway of boats in the harbor, in the quiet clink of espresso cups on sun-warmed tables. The Piazzetta remains what it has always been: a meeting place, a stage, the soul of Portofino in miniature.
The path begins just above the Piazzetta, climbing gently between maritime pines and dry-stone walls, leading to a natural terrace that embraces Portofino from above.
Castello Brown, once a Genoese fortress guarding the bay, was later transformed into a private villa by the British consul Montague Yeats Brown, and today it stands serene above the town, wrapped in terraced gardens and maritime light.
Inside, echoes of past guests linger: diplomats, poets, travelers drawn here by the hush and the horizon. And it’s outside, on the sun-warmed terraces, that Portofino truly reveals itself: the curve of the harbor, the shimmer of sailboats, the headlands fading into blue.
Just beyond Castello Brown, a short path leads to the Church of San Giorgio: modest, sunlit and beautiful.
Originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt after WWII bombings, the church is dedicated to Saint George, Portofino’s patron saint, said to have protected sailors and villagers through storms and wars alike. Inside, silence feels sacred: soft light, stone walls, a quiet that speaks of centuries of faith and shelter.
Outside, the world expands again: from the terrace, the view is pure Liguria; the harbor below like a painting, the sea stretching beyond the cliffs, infinite and calm.
Just beyond Portofino, a curve in the coast reveals Paraggi Bay, which is an unexpected oasis of soft sand and emerald waters.
Sheltered between rocky promontories and shaded by maritime pines, the beach feels like a secret, even when it’s not. Moreover, the sea here is calm and glassy in the morning, perfect for a quiet swim before the crowds arrive.
Portofino may be refined, but its food stays true to its roots: simple, seasonal, and unmistakably Ligurian.
Try trofie al pesto, made with basil from the surrounding hills, or a slice of golden focaccia, soft and savory. Also, fresh grilled fish, drizzled with olive oil and lemon, is a staple here; honest and full of flavor. Pair it with a glass of local Vermentino, and let time slow down.
But Portofino is just a taste of what Liguria has to offer. Along the coast, you’ll find places where food is still made by hand and served with pride. In Rapallo, stroll among market stalls before learning to prepare traditional pesto with mortar and marble. In Recco, watch local experts stretch the famous focaccia col formaggio, before sitting down to a full Ligurian lunch.
The Portofino Natural Park unfolds in a network of trails that slip through chestnut woods, wind along cliff edges, and open onto sunlit terraces above the sea. This is where the rhythm of the Riviera slows, and the old Ligurian soul still breathes.
Some paths are wide and shaded, scented with pine and bay laurel. Others are steep and wild, skirting dizzying drops where falcons glide. But all of them lead somewhere worth pausing for: a stone farmhouse draped in bougainvillea, a lemon grove clinging to the hillside, or a view that silences conversation.
From Portofino, the trails reach out like ancient veins toward San Fruttuoso, Santa Margherita Ligure, and the scattered sanctuaries of the headland; places still reachable only by foot or by sea.
Set in a quiet cove framed by steep cliffs and forest, the Abbey of San Fruttuoso appears almost by surprise. With no roads leading here, you can arrive by boat, skimming past pine‑draped promontories, or on foot via the trails of Portofino Natural Park.
This Benedictine abbey, dating back to the 10th century, was once a refuge for monks, pirates, and fishermen. Its silence still carries the weight of centuries, broken only by waves lapping at the beach and the rustle of wind in the pines above. But the real magic lies just offshore.
Seventeen meters beneath the surface the Christ of the Abyss rises from the seabed: a bronze statue with outstretched arms, placed here in 1954 to bless the waters and those who venture into them.
Sunlight filters through blue water, illuminating his robes and the fish dancing around him. It’s one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic dive sites and one of the most unforgettable things to do in Portofino
At the edge of the promontory, past the ochre houses and the church square, begins a narrow paved path. It winds through Mediterranean scrub, shaded by pines and dotted with agaves and low stone walls. Along the way, glimpses of the sea flash through the foliage; gradually, they come ever closer and ever louder.
Then, at the very tip of the land, there is the Lighthouse of Portofino.Built in 1917 and still active today, this white, cylindrical lighthouse rises 12 meters above the cliffs, casting its beam across the Gulf of Tigullio to guide ships safely into the harbor. Perched 40 meters above sea level, it’s both a navigational tool and a silent witness to a century of coastal life.
Portofino wears elegance like a silk scarf, yet its essence reveals itself in quieter moments: the gentle waves near San Fruttuoso, the pine-scented breeze on hidden trails, the soft clink of glasses in the Piazzetta as evening falls.
However, exploring the best things to do in Portofino is just the beginning. Indeed, to the west, the colorful harbors of Camogli, Recco, and the Cinque Terre villages beckon with their timeless charm. To the east, Portovenere rises with dramatic cliffs and ancient churches.
Together, these jewels create a coastline made for lingering; a journey shaped by light, salt, and flavor. And the best way to experience it fully is with the itinerary The Ligurian Coast between Le Cinque Terre and Recco: a path through some of the Riviera’s most soulful corners.
