In the town of Portofino, in the metropolitan city of Genoa on the Italian Riviera

 The famed Italian Riviera, also known as the Ligurian Riviera, is the narrow stretch of coastline along the northwestern coast of Italy; it is an attractive seaside town with popular resorts.

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(in the metropolitan city of Genoa on the Italian Riviera) The town of Portofino is clustered around its small harbor, and is known for the colorfully painted buildings that line the seashore. Since the late 19th century Portofino has attracted tourism by the European aristocracy and -- it is now a resort visited by people from around the world. On the Riviera di Levante, Portofino is situated at the southeast end of the promontory of Portofino, which encloses the Gulf of Rapallo on the west. A charming fishing village with a port at the head of an inlet lined with brightly color-washed houses, Portofino has a lot of tourist traffic. Pillow lace is made in traditional 18th-century patterns. To the north (1.5 miles [2.5 km]) is the Monastery of La Cervara, where Pope Gregory XI rested on his way from Avignon, in France, to Rome (in 1377) and where Francis I of France was imprisoned after the Battle of Pavia (in1525). To the southeast is the Church of San Giorgio (said to contain relics of St. George brought by Crusaders from the Holy Land).

+ Even the trees are handsome in Portofino, a perfectly coiffured coastal village that sits on its own peninsula, seemingly upping the exclusivity factor by mere geography. Hotels here are hushed and rather high-priced, but a drink by Portofino's yacht-filled harbor, or a stroll around its designer shops, can be easily enjoyed on a day trip from Genoa.

+ Still a fishing town, Portofino is a great place in Liguria that offers numerous attractions, in addition to entertainment. It also presents numerous sites of historical and archaeological interest. If you are a fan of cultural travel, Portofino should prove to be a fine destination, where you will appreciate one of the wonders of Italy. Portofino’s nature has inevitably changed over time, especially in the last century. What was a small village deeply linked to fishing and maritime tradition, inevitably discovered tourism toward the end of the 19th century. As happened also in Cinque Terre and other places in Liguria, Portofino has however somehow preserved the typical atmosphere of a fishing village -- and is yet able to present a profound charm that captivates its visitors. Located in the western part of the Gulf of Tigullio, not far from Genoa, its entire territory is included in the Portofino regional natural park and in the homonymous protected marine natural area. It can be reached by plane arriving at Genoa airport, about 30 km away (~19 mi.), then by car along the highway 12 Genova–La Spezia, or by train, getting off at the Santa Margherita railway station and then continuing by taxi or bus to Portofino.

+ Once arriving in Portofino, explore the town on foot, or on a bike, to better assure your enjoyment of local places (and panoramas).