Holiday apartment in Portofino: discover culture, nature trails and the sea

Portofino combines historic sites, an extensive natural area and activities by the sea. Marked trails and the town’s distinctive buildings offer different focal points for planning your trip.

Holiday apartment in Portofino for culture and history

The Chiesa di San Giorgio was first built in 1154, destroyed four times as a result of warfare and rebuilt each time. The church houses votive paintings donated by sailors in the past century. Under the main altar, in a reliquary carved into the hard puddingstone, are the relics of most of the body of Saint George. Admission to the Chiesa di San Giorgio is free.

The historic centre of Portofino also preserves the orthogonal street plan from the Roman imperial period. The Chiesa Divo Martino dates from the 12th century and was originally designed in the Lombard Romanesque style. The terrace of Castello Brown is used for art exhibitions.

Hiking and nature in Parco di Portofino

Parco di Portofino is ideal for active days. Covering just over 1,500 hectares, it has 80 kilometres of marked trails and is accessible from Portofino. Trail markings and a detailed hiking map also make it easier for less experienced hikers to find their way and choose a suitable route.

The Fosso dell’Acqua Viva walking route leads through the Valle dei Mulini. There, 35 mills were powered by permanently flowing canals. Above Cala dell’Oro, peregrine falcons can occasionally be observed from the promontory. The rocks of the promontory provide a habitat for the rare endemic species Saxifraga cochlearis, which has white summer flowers.

Sea, coastal paths and practical information

In the marine reserve of Portofino, visitors can use canoes or kayaks to take excursions alone or in groups. A structure rises above the marine area on the eastern projection of the promontory. It can be reached via the same path as Castello Brown; the path leads through areas of Mediterranean maquis and across steep coastal slopes.

The town’s layout is important when arriving by car: Portofino is a pedestrian zone, and vehicle traffic and parking are permitted only for authorised persons. The covered paid car park at Piazza Martiri della Libertà is open around the clock.

When choosing your holiday apartment in Portofino, you can take your preferred holiday focus into account: culture, marked trails, nature observation and water activities appeal to different interests. Travellers with varied interests can use these topics as a guide for planning their daily schedule. The pedestrian zone and car park should also be included in your planning if you are arriving by car.

More destinations for planning your trip

Other destinations you can consider for planning your trip include Mele, Tessi, Rezzoaglio, Genoa, Lorsica, Prati, Pedemonte and Nervi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Genoa.