Portofino Italy Sightseeing

Exploring Tigullio Gulf

Portofino Italy sightseeing is a unique experience. The best way to go about it is to adopt a leisurely pace and just stroll through the village, visiting its most interesting spots while basking in the luxurious atmosphere and stunning surrounding beauty. Here are our top suggestions:

Church of San Martino

Approaching Portofino by the winding costal road, you will immediately come across on your left, the Church of San Martino (Divo Martino). It was built in the XII century in Romanesque Lombard style and then completely renovated in the eighteen hundreds.

The Church of San Martino

The Church of San Martino

When entering the church you cannot miss the stunning modern bronze door. It’s a creation by the Milanese sculptor Costanzo Mongini and depicts a miraculous event which supposedly occurred in the 18th century where San Giorgio protected Portofino from a pirates’ attack by unleashing a storm off the bay.

The Church of San Martino

The church has an elegant medieval architecture from its facade and charming churchyard in the outside to its ceiling arches in the inside that emphasize the ceiling paintings to its rose windows and bell tower.

Inside the Church of San Martino

Some of the key features inside the church are an 18th century wooden statue of the Virgin of Sorrows as well as a large, newly renovated sculpture by Maragliano depicting five figures: the Deposition of Christ, Mary Magdalene, St. John, Joseph of Arimathea and the Virgin of Sorrows. In a memorial stone on the wall, next to the picturesque recess of the first chapel, is commemorated the return passage of Papa Giorgio XI to Rome after his Avignon period in 1376.

18th century wooden statue of the Virgin of Sorrows

The church's belltower

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Portofino Italy Sightseeing: Main Piazza and Marina

Just around the corner from the Church of San Martino, you can turn into Via Roma, and walk down to the central Piazza Martiri del’Olivetta in town surrounded by its charming, colourful houses and leading to the Marina of Portofino.

Walking down from the Church of San Martino

Take a leisurely walk down this cobbled street give you the chance to pass by several of the posh boutiques where most of the celebrities come to shop while mooring in Portofino.

Here you will find the stores of famous Italian designers such as Armani, Pucci, Ferragamo etc as well as other small boutiques offering unique pieces including one with stunning Murano glass jewellery.

The exclusive boutiques along via Roma

There are also several tourist shops offering the typical memorabilia, souvenirs and postcards to explore and choose from.

Tourists eploring the local shops

Getting closer to the main Piazza Martiri Olivetti, you will start passing by small restaurants and bars tucked between the exclusive shops.

Once you reach the Piazza feast your eyes on the beauty that opens up in front of you. Soak in the protective feel of the colourful tower houses that surround the square and frame perfectly the port with its moored local boats and flashy yachts. All of this is overlooked by Brown Castle perched on its emerald-green hill. The square is a great place to just sit, taste some regional foods and wines and enjoy the atmosphere.

Portofino Italy Sightseeing Gallery: Portofino Main Piazza

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Portofino Italy Sightseeing: Intl Sculpture Centre

Continuing along the wharf of the Marina, and while drooling over the luxurious yachts moored in the port, make sure that you look to the left over the green hills. You will notice sculptures in marble, bronze, steel and glass displayed amongst the green plants and beautiful flowers in the hilly gardens of Portofino. They are part of the open-air Park Sculpture Museum of the town featuring sculptures from contemporary Italian and international artists ranging from Messina to Guttuso, from Fontana to Pomodoro and many more, allowing you to wonder through the gardens and admire the statues up-close as well as the views over Portofino.

The Park Museum - International Sculpture Centre

The Park Museum is opened between the months of June and September, the opening hours are between 10am-1:30pm and 3pm – 8pm ( except for Tuesdays when they are closed all day).

The Park Museum - International Sculpture Centre

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Portofino Italy Sightseeing: Il Faro

From the Brown Castle you can turn left and continue on your way towards the Lighthouse (Il Faro) at Punta del Capo.

The Lighthouse - Il Faro

The scenic path that leads the way is surrounded by olive trees and you get the chance to enjoy stunning views over the Gulf as well as the lush green beauty of the nearby villas’ gardens. It is a very pleasant, easy walk and once you get to Il Faro, it opens up a magic panorama with a view from Punta Manara in Sestri Levante to Capo Noli, beyond Genoa.

Portofino Italy Sightseeing Gallery: Il Faro

There is a bar offering refreshments at the Lighthouse terrace so you can relax, take the views and catch your breath before heading back towards Portofino.

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Portofino Italy Sightseeing: Church of San Giorgio

Church of San Giorgio

The church of San Giorgio is located on top of the promontory overlooking the picturesque Bay of Portofino and it can be reached either by taking the street up on the right from the Piazzetta in town or taking the path on your way back from Castello Brown and the Lighthouse.

Keep right on the Piazzetta...

and take the street going up towards the Church

The street that leads up to the Church of San Giorgio is full with souvenir shops and displays of the local crafts and laces…

The church structure dates back from 1154 but has been destroyed and rebuilt at least four times during the centuries. It is almost oval in shape and inside houses the relics of San Giorgio brought back by Sailors who participated in the crusades. They are preserved in a shrine carved into the marble under the altar of the church.

The Church has a lovely courtyard offering a spectacular birds eye views over the Bay of Portofino on one side and on the other over the open Mediterranean sea…

Portofino Italy Sightseeing Gallery: Church of San Giorgio

Thank you for visiting our guide… we look forward to welcoming you to Liguria and hope you will love it as much as we do !

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