Are you ready to take an unforgettable journey through a passionate Portofino tour? Forbes magazine described Portofino as “one of the seven most beautiful beaches and seaside town in Italy“, an authentic and spectacular coastal paradise in the region of Liguria, so you can’t miss to visit it.

Portofino,one of the pearls of the Golfo del Tigullio, is a beautiful village flanked by pastel-coloured houses and multi-coloured fishing boats bobbing on the surface.

The famous “Piazzetta“,the heart of fashionable Portofino, nestles in a small nook along the coast: it overlooks the picturesque harbour, populated by small fishing boats and luxurious yachts.

Lovely restaurants and cafés line the emerald-green harbour and there’s a gorgeous Botanical Garden that’s ideal for a leisurely stroll.

The nearby Castle Brown and the San Giorgio church and lighthouse are within walking distance and provide panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian coast.

The sea surrounding the promontory is a marine protected area, established to protect the rarities and the riches of the seabed, populated by sea fans, sponges, corals, seagrass meadows, and the precious red coral.

There is no beach at Portofino itself, but just 2 km from Portofino, you’ll find the tiny Paraggi beach: an enchanting little bay with an astonishing landscape ideal for couples.

The beach of Paraggi is composed of fine sand of light colour and a very clean turquoise sea. Here you can swim, sunbathe, and admire the sea lapping at the immense villas of wealthy Italians that are on the shore.

In this stretch of coast, you can also do underwater excursions to explore the fantastic sea beds that are home to numerous species of marine corals.

Did you know? The luxury Italian fashion brand, Dolce & Gabbana, have an ornate villa on Paraggi beach.

Not to be missed during your Portofino tour, a trip to the stunning San Fruttuoso. You will visit a unique place almost out of time, reachable only by an exciting boat trip or on foot through a path perched on the sea. Once on the shore, San Fruttuoso’s difficult to access, intriguing beach reveals its charm and beauty.

The San Fruttuoso beach is a small bay protected by two rocky walls and surrounded by thick vegetation. Here the crystalline water has a beautiful emerald colour.

If you want, you can rent deck chairs and sun umbrellas on the beach.
There are several amazing attractions to visit in San Fruttuoso.

One of them, is the famous Christ of the Abyss,an underwater bronze statue of Jesus Christ, a very popular site for divers. The 2.5-meter tall statue was put in the sea on August 22, 1954 and is still standing there, about 15 meters deep.

The dive is fairly easy, but if you don’t dive, you can try snorkelling or you can take a boat during a calm day and look at the statue through the water. The sea waters here are incredibly clear and pristine, so do not forget to take your swimming gear when you plan your trip.

Before leaving, you cannot miss a visit to the charming Abbey of San Fruttuoso with its small dome and elegant arches overhanging the sea. The abbey’s glowing white is further emphasized by the green trees behind and the bright blue sea in the front. Before visiting, check the opening times in town; sometimes the abbey is closed.

Our tip: If you are in Florence, this one day tour is a perfect choice to explore Portofino and San Fruttuoso bay.

Getting there: the nearest Airport is in Genoa, about 40 km. It is served mainly by Ryanair, British Airways and Air France. The are no trains to Portofino, only to the nearest city, Santa Margherita Ligure.
From the Railway Station of Santa Margherita Ligure it is possible to reach Portofino by public bus in 15 minutes.