When visiting Portofino, many see the town as a prime place to simply relax and refresh, letting their cares wash away in the serenity of this charming coastal town. However, there are a variety of activities to enjoy in the Ligurian town beyond the breathtaking views of the unique harbor and enjoying a nice pasta al pesto.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN PORTOFINO

True to its serene nature, there are not many festivals or big events that take place in the town of Portofino. While some cities in Italy boast a plethora of major events that people can enjoy, Portofino has a handful. However, the events it does feature should not be missed.

Every year on the 23rd of April, the Feast Day of San Giorgio, the town’s Patron Saint, is held in the Portofino Piazzetta. On this day, strong, local men proceed through the streets carrying massive tree trunks that have been shaped into crucifixes so as to feel the pain of Jesus. The procession ends in Portofino’s famous Piazzetta, where the tree trunks are set up, and then surrounded with tree branches, scraps of old fences, pieces of old, broken boats, broken doors, and anything else that might burn. In the evening, the tree trunks are lit and the townspeople of Portofino celebrate around the massive bonfire. Locals grill fresh fish on barbecues, drink wine, set off fireworks, and sing songs and play music as they dance around the bonfire until the pennola falls to the ground. According to local tales, if the pennola falls towards the sea, it signifies a good season ahead. Visitors to Portofino in April should try to catch the fabled San Giorgio Fire.

A month later, in May, Portofino hosts its only other annual event. The Zegna Trophy is a yearly sailing regatta, which is a sporting event featuring a series of boating or yachting races. Every year, a fleet of yachts converges on the Portofino harbor, and race through the nearby seas as the yacht owners compete to see who has the fastest and best designed yacht. The Zegna Trophy is enjoyed by spectators as much as it is by the yachters who participate in the event.

Aside from these two annual events there are many other wine and musical festivals that occur sporadically. Those who manage to catch one of the special festivals that Portofino plays host to should consider themselves fortunate.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Those who visit Portofino should make a point to visit its famous Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is built on a promontory over the Portofino harbor, just past the Church of San Giorgio, only a short hike from the Piazzetta. The verdant path to the Lighthouse is surrounded by charming gardens and olive groves. Visiting the Lighthouse offers some of the most stunning views of the Portofino Harbor, and travelers can enjoy a drink and an aperitif on the terrace as they take in the fresh sea air.

Visitors to Portofino who are more interested in art and sculpture should also make a point of visiting the Museo del Parco, also known as the Park Museum and International Center of Open-Air Sculpture. Also located near the Church of San Giorgio, in a green area that slopes down towards the harbor, this open-air museum allows visitors not only a glimpse of the stunning gardens and flowerbeds, but also allows people to view fascinating and breathtaking sculptures. Many masterpieces from classical and contemporary artists all around the world are housed here for visitors’ viewing pleasure.

And for those who wish to relax by the sea, one cannot miss the local Paraggi Beach for a delightful day on the sand. This area is renowned for its crystal blue water and it is the only sandy beach in the vicinity of Portofino.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Visitors to Portofino who are interested in the history of religion have many places to choose from. The most famous church in Portofino is the Church of San Giorgio, located centrally in the town not too far from the Piazzetta. Also available for visitors to view are the Church of San Martino, which features a masterpiece by famed wood sculptor Anton Maria Maragliano depicting the Deposition of Jesus Christ, and the Church of Divo Martino, which houses a famous bell tower and rose window.

Lovers of history should also make an effort to visit the Castello Brown. Also known as Brown Castle, this fortress was integral in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in repelling pirates away from Portofino’s shores. Today, it stands as a museum that is open for the public to visit and experience the history of Portofino. It also features breathtaking gardens and terraces from which one can look out and view a stunning vista of the town.

Another important aspect of Portofino’s culture that visitors should make sure to experience is the tradition of crafting macramé lace. Today, there are multiple places throughout the city where one can go to watch macramé lace being created, or even take classes in crafting the lace themselves.

SHOPPING ACTIVITIES IN PORTOFINO

Portofino is a host to many exclusive fashion boutiques, usually open between the months of February and October, with the months of November through January taken off. Numerous posh fashion boutiques dot the streets of Portofino, with such well-known names as Gucci, Zegna, Ferragamo, and Armani featured prominently. There are also numerous boutiques throughout Portofino that sell unique items, such as stunning glass jewelry, or handmade Italian leather bags.

For those interested in shopping for more unique items indicative of the culture, there are a variety of kiosks and shops selling local goods, foods, snacks, wines, and olive oils.

FAMILY AND KIDS

For families that would like to venture beyond Portofino for the day, the city of Genoa is about an hour away. Many visitors to the town love to take a day trip to Genoa’s famous Aquarium, which is the largest in Italy, and wander the port streets as they take in the many historical sites and museums.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN PORTOFINO

Perhaps the most famous and unique attraction Portofino has to offer is the Christ of the Abyss statue. This statue of Jesus Christ is located in the San Fruttuoso Bay and is only accessible by boat. There are numerous boating and scuba services that will gladly ferry visitors to Portofino out into the bay, where they can dive down and take in the majesty of the sunken statue as the sunlight dances around them, refracted through the ocean waves. After viewing the statue itself, divers can enjoy the reefs and underwater cliffs that surround the Portofino harbor.

The charming coastal town of Portofino is a delight for all who visit. The breathtaking scenery, quaint pastel-colored houses, and fascinating historic monuments ensure that a trip to Portofino leaves a lasting impression for years to come.