Alright, let’s talk about Portofino. You see the pictures everywhere, that little harbor crammed with fancy boats, colourful buildings stacked up. Looks idyllic, right? I finally got around to going myself, wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
So, I got there. Took the ferry, which was probably the best way, the drive looked like a nightmare. Stepped off the boat right into the thick of it. The main square, the Piazzetta, was buzzing. First thing I did was just stand there for a bit, taking it in. Lots of people milling around, expensive shops lining the square. Felt like I should be wearing fancier shoes.
Needed to escape the crowd a bit, so I started walking. Headed up the hill, following the signs for Castello Brown. It’s a bit of a climb, lots of steps, got the heart rate up. But man, the views from up there are pretty killer. You get that classic postcard shot looking back down at the harbor. Worth the sweat, I’d say. Popped into the Church of San Giorgio nearby too, nice little spot, quiet.
After coming back down, I just wandered. Walked along the water, peered at the mega-yachts parked there. Seriously, some of them are like floating apartments. Window-shopped a bit, but didn’t dare go inside most places – looked like you needed an appointment or a gold-plated credit card.
The Vibe Check
Here’s the thing though. While it’s undeniably beautiful, stunning even, it also felt… small. And very, very polished. Almost like a theme park version of an Italian fishing village. Everything seemed geared towards very wealthy tourists. Finding just a normal, reasonably priced spot for a drink or a bite felt like a mission.
- Walked the main square (Piazzetta).
- Climbed up to Castello Brown for the views.
- Visited the Church of San Giorgio.
- Strolled along the harbor, looking at boats and shops.
- Tried hard to just soak it in beyond the surface gloss.
It’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. But it didn’t feel very… lived in? At least not in the main tourist bit. You see the same few angles in everyone’s photos for a reason.
Got Lost, Found Something Real
I remember trying to find a simple focaccia place away from the main drag. I ducked into one of the narrow side alleys, heading uphill away from the harbor. Honestly, I got completely lost pretty quick. The little lanes twist and turn, dead ends, private gates. But it was quiet back there. Saw actual laundry hanging out, heard kids playing somewhere, snippets of Italian conversation drifting from windows. It felt like a different world just steps away from the designer stores.
Eventually stumbled upon this tiny bakery, more like a hole-in-the-wall, smelled amazing. Grabbed a piece of plain, oily focaccia. Simple stuff. Sat on some random step in a quiet alleyway eating it. That moment, away from the crowds, feeling a tiny bit of the real village, that was actually my favorite part of the whole visit. Getting slightly lost turned out to be the best thing I did there.
So, my take? Portofino is definitely worth seeing once, just for the sheer beauty of the setting. Go early, maybe off-season if you can. Hike up for the views. But don’t expect a deep dive into authentic Italian life right in the main square. It is what it is – a playground for the well-off. If you get a chance, wander away from the harbor. Get a little lost. You might find something more interesting than the yachts.
