It has been several years since our last visit to Portofino, a fishing village and holiday resort on the Italian Riviera, so we decided to return.
Last autumn a terrifying storm hit the area and part of the road into Portofino from Santa Margherita Ligure was destroyed. It is still being repaired so we took the 15 minute boat ride from the pier in Santa Margherita.
Arriving in Portofino by boat is an excellent way of doing things. It is a tiny harbour with a semicircle of gorgeous colourful buildings. We even managed some blue sky after a cloudy start.
I spotted this interesting relief above one of the churches near the harbour.
…and this above an old door.
It doesn’t take long to wander around the harbour, so a short walk up the hill behind the village was in order.
From the path is an excellent view of 16th century Castello Brown. The 1922 novel Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim was inspired by the author’s stay there. A film of the same name was filmed in the Castello in 1991. I recommend both the novel and the film.
There is a pretty church at the top of the path with a kind face watching from beside it.
The view of the harbour from the top is worth the walk.
We enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch at La Gritta.
The open air gallery was not open, but some of the exhibits can be seen from below and above.
The boat sailed past an enormous yacht and some spectacular houses on its way in and out of Portofino.
Many of the businesses along the water’s edge were damaged in the storm last year, but most are well on the way to being ready for the season. We were informed that the road will open this Sunday, 7th April. I’m sure things will be back to normal soon.
The road in to Portofino is narrow and there isn’t a great deal of parking in the town, so the boat from Santa Margherita Ligure is a good idea. Tickets cost €12 return and can be bought on the pier from where the boat leaves.
This is the most beautiful village we visited….I am sure there are others but for us it was so charming. Glad to hear that they are well on the way to recovering from the storm. What a yacht!
By: Kerry & Jim on April 2, 2019
at 11:39 pm
There was lots of damage along that coastline and it good to see they are recovering. Many shops and restaurants were closed, but having the road open should help that.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 3, 2019
at 5:16 am
I have a copy of Enchanted April, a very fine film!
By: Rob Mc Artor on April 3, 2019
at 3:54 am
I love the book and the film.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 3, 2019
at 5:16 am
We used to stop at Portofino for lunch on our way from Antibes to Bagni di Lucca. It was the perfect lunch stop for us. We loved the place….
By: Mulino Dominillo on April 3, 2019
at 5:34 am
We love it too. One day, several years ago, we had morning tea in Portofino, lunch in Monaco and dinner in Cannes…a good day.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 3, 2019
at 7:25 am
Lovely post and beautiful photos, Debra. I love Portofino and did not realize it had been damaged last year…
By: Margie Miklas on April 3, 2019
at 6:11 am
150 metres of the road fell into the sea. I knew about this but I didn’t know that many of the buildings along the coast were damaged as well. I’m sure it has been a tough time for many people. I hope they have a great season.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 3, 2019
at 7:27 am
Wow…And it’s a lot of work for all that cleanup as well …glad they are making progress
By: Margie Miklas on May 16, 2019
at 9:59 pm
So beautiful. There are so many more parts of Italy I haven’t seen, and this one may be top on my list!
By: chef mimi on April 3, 2019
at 1:08 pm
The coastline in that area is spectacular.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 4, 2019
at 5:20 pm
Lets hope that all the businesses reopen for the season and that it is a good one for them. We love the area, it is postcard beautiful.
By: Karen on April 6, 2019
at 5:56 pm
[…] Portovenere and Portofino are also on the list of day trips. This year maybe I will venture to nearby Tellaro and Lerici for the first time. […]
By: Where to go in 2020? | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 30, 2020
at 8:53 pm