Portofino, Italy

travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.... with text, maps & links.
We are taking you to one of the prettiest places in Italy. It's the small town of Portofino, Italy, one of those very special destinations, probably in the top hundred of the world, and we are going to show you how to enjoy it. Best, especially in the off-season.
To get there we’re driving from Santa Margherita, which is a nearby town, about three miles along the coastline, it's really scenic.
You can also get there by city bus. It's an inexpensive bus ride under two euro only takes about fifteen minutes.
You arrive at a small parking lot in the little back streets of Portofino and if you're traveling by public bus that is the bus stop.
From here walk along that main little pedestrian shopping lane a few blocks to arrive in a few minutes at the waterfront -- get ready to be dazzled by the beauty of this perfect little place.
It's a very small village, which makes it easy to walk around and enjoy this splendid view of the marina, with beautiful yachts and fishing boats and pleasure craft of all kinds and around it, and the village itself with rows of restaurants and shops, and the old pastel-colored buildings.
When you have a look at the sheltered cove and pretty buildings of this little hamlet you'll see why it has become world-famous.
I suggest you have a preliminary look at this charming waterfront. Check out the restaurants and shops for later visiting, but one of the first things you want to do after you get oriented is take that walk up the hill for the world-famous view.
Yes it's a bit of an uphill climb, but not so bad, and it's worth it because you will get some super views. Only takes about fifteen minutes at most to walk up here, or ten if you're a good walker.
That's the first glimpse, but keep going because it gets better -- you've come this far and it's only another hundred meters or less to get to the very best view, so don't stop here.
When you reach the church of St. George you have arrived at the very best viewing location. This is it. What an amazing vista.
Walking downhill, of course, is a little easier and you can enjoy the views once again. As you get down to the bottom of the hill this little lane becomes a shopping street with all sorts of kiosks and souvenirs, tempting you on both sides as people crowd in to see what they can buy.
I suggest that you now walk all the way around the marina because over on the far side there is a lovely row of outdoor restaurants and cafes, and wine bars and some little boutiques tucked away. Plus, you have splendid views of the various boats from different angles in the midst of the marina.
This is a great time to reward yourself with the drink, maybe have a spritz, or one of the local wines.
While this is obviously a touristic town you will be delightfully surprised at the high quality of the restaurants, and they’re really no more expensive than restaurants that you're going to find anywhere else in Italy.
You'll be delighted with the number of quality shops in town, ranging from the big brands to those little personal boutiques for clothing, shoes, jewelry, all of the usual, and the various tourist items, souvenirs of all kinds.
At the end of our day trip visit here. We had two different ways to get back to Santa Margarita -- we could either take that city bus, or better yet, take the boat, it's a scenic boat ride and costs a little bit more than the bus, but still under ten euro. And yes, it turned out to be great fun. You don't need reservations, but you can buy your ticket ahead of time and get to the dock early, wait on the short line and soon enough you shuffle on board and away you go.
Right away it's very scenic, enjoying the view of the boats in the harbor and the buildings all around from water level, as we make our way out of the marina and into the Gulf of Rapollo for a splendid ride.
The ride is so quick they don't even have a snack bar -- you have seating indoors down below, or better yet, on the upper deck or you get the best view in all that fresh air and the sights all around, other boats going by, the beautiful wake of your ship -- that's quite a sight to see as well.
The boat brings you right into the center of Santa Margarita, and you'll have a splendid view of that city. There's a lot of hotels along the waterfront here. We stayed at one of them. We have another movie about Santa Margherita you can look for in our collection.

[@rhondasessoms5794]

Beautiful! I think i would like to visit this city when I go to Italy.

[@mariajosemartins3587]

Adorei assistir todinho. Lindo demais

[@Julia-w6x]

Thanks a lot for your clean introduction ! Charming small village.

[@paolazuffinetti]

Thanks for your precious information about the small path leading up to have that gorgeous view from above

[@denniscallan]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zackb7127]

I love this beautiful small town. I was there on 1st Jan 2020 and not many people at all during the winter season, almost all the shops were opened. From Portofino we had a quick stop in Genoa & continue our journey to Nice, France, then continue on to Cannes, Monaco, Eze, shopping at Serravalle outlet & Milan. It was a fun 2 weeks. Can't wait to visit Italy again. Thank you for sharing this lovely video & as always love all your videos.

[@cd1168]

I envy you. Would dream of taking a similar 1 week trip

[@LuChiAZz]

Hello! So I wasn't that bad the weather on January? I'm planing to go next year on January ❤

[@daved7024]

Thank you, Mr. Callan for your adventures and tips.

[@nesrnbaray2376]

Meraviglioso....molto grazie...👍💖💚

[@nirupachadha6345]

Thank you so much for the lovely input we will be visiting this place shortly after my daughter‘s wedding in Lake Maggiore . I already feel I have reached there with your wonderful announcements and attention to detail great job thank you very much for sharing

[@denniscallan]

You can now read my story about Portofino on my new website: townsofeurope.com/Italy/north-riviera/Portofino.html which has text, pictures and video, part of a new series about Europe towns I am building.

[@janejohnstone5795]

Been ..watching the series...Hotel Portofina..beautiful place..

[@怡然-t5k]

great video! You are the best!

[@sunilpatel217]

Awesome 👏🏻

[@willamakana3003]

great video, one of the best for me as a viewer

[@cameliabobol]

Such a lovely place, love it !

[@Eriblu]

good channel

[@globalhealingprayermission1656]

Very good message 👍 Thanks brother

[@els1732]

Portofino should be on everyone’s bucket list. I took the boat from Santa Margarita to Portofino. I regret not going early morning and staying late. We bought a return ticket but should of purchased a one way and take taxi back late at night. I must go again! 🙂

[@denniscallan]

That would have been better, early boat one-way and taxi (or city bus) back to SML.

[@joycekim3496]

Qqqq

[@fehmiabbasi4874]

beautiful city i love it

[@murielle6085]

So charming :)

[@HueNguyen-ts3ei]

very impressive video, thank you so much. Even better than Rick Steves

[@iainsanders4775]

Dennis' voice reminds me of a car with excellent suspension, it just floats along, ironing out all the bumps & potholes as we go. Not always the best thing for contact with real terrain, but a nice ride...

[@denniscallan]

That's a creative way of complimenting me, thanks very much. As you viewers know, I always provide lots of descriptions and comments about where we are, unlike most YT travel vids, which are only visual, without intellectual content.

[@denniscallan]

Actually, providing interesting narration is the most challenging part of the process, requiring lots of research to figure out what to say, writing an outline, then voicing it without sounding boring or flat, but not yelling at you.

[@iainsanders4775]

@@denniscallan Too many Americans are yelling these days - too much even of that Can become rather boring. A good time to be abroad - circumstances permitting.. :)

[@GC987]

A very nicely put together video. Thanks.

[@shufen1890]

Very nice video!

[@globalhealingprayermission1656]

Your great man 👌 I am very happy

[@majaexploring3801]

What a beautiful town , thanks for filming it

[@itzgirl7875]

Great video! It reminds me of my trip in 2009. Don’t forget that there is a beautiful walking path from the harbor to the grand hotel, Splendido. Awe! The views from the hotel are just magnificent and will always be my main love for Italy. ❤️

[@swisssights]

I just love italy! Greetings from Switzerland!

[@aliaksandran6300]

4:40 - an amazing view.

[@Dr.CorneliaKratzer]

Oh this channel is just what I need for a pre-Christmas and once again Covid-lockdown (in Los Angeles) weekend ...so relaxing and inviting to dream of travel ...!

[@FPGSanctuary]

Dennis, now that I live in Hawaii I am looking forward to adventuring with you on one of your future tours when this covid-19 crisis has passed. I have been a follower and fan for many years!

[@denniscallan]

You would be very welcome to join! I am considering a Northern Italy train tour for October next year, a small group, less than 20 travelers.

[@FPGSanctuary]

@@denniscallan To have an opportunity to enjoy panzerotti at Luini's with you would be amazing! I have craved a return since my first visit on your recommendation back in 2013. I will be watching for price and booking.

[@leifblom652]

som vanlight alltid njutbart tack dennis

[@michiejewel5989]

So beautiful 😍 💖

[@bohranjawad4097]

Love from Pakistan. Ciao

[@samdrilon6382]

so niceee!

[@kimberlylewis3130]

Thanks for your informative videos! We have watched them multiple times over! Can you tell me what month you went to Portofino? I think I missed that.

[@denniscallan]

Thank you for being such a regular viewer! I like to visit that area in early October, when the boats are still going, the crowds are less and the weather is usually perfect.

[@kimberlylewis3130]

Thank you for your reply! We are going to Italy this September for the first time. We are going to Rome, Tuscany, Portofino (just for day), Cinque Terre and Venice. Cannot wait!

[@denniscallan]

@@kimberlylewis3130 You are going to blow your mind! That is the best itinerary imaginable. For my many tips, scripts, pics, maps and videos about Italy see my new website townsofeurope.com/Italy/Italy.html

[@kimberlylewis3130]

@@denniscallan I will definitely visit your website...thank you for that! I just changed our hotel location from LaSpezia to Santa Magherita since it made more sense after watching your Cinque Terre/Portofino videos. THANK YOU!!! I'm re-watching now and taking more notes!

[@denniscallan]

@@kimberlylewis3130 You will enjoy Santa Margherita, cheap bus to Portofino, boat back, easy train to Cinque Terre. townsofeurope.com/Italy/north-riviera/Santa-Margherita-Ligure.html

[@OFFICINA77]

💚 Adoro!

[@globalhealingprayermission1656]

I like your channel

[@izakpalti3650]

I found my love in Portofino !!! Perche nei sogni credo ancor Lo strano giecco del destino A Portofino ; m'ha preso il cuor... D A L I D A. we love you so much..

[@celiomota6739]

Conheci , estivi por duas vesés é Linda.

[@brucefielder9312]

Beautiful video. Wondering if this is recent given the travel restrictions on people from the US getting entrance to Italy.

[@stefan_HEX]

I would extend that walk all the way to the Light House for a nice view. And if you are in season, April forward. They serve local beer.

[@denniscallan]

Good suggestion, especially with beer at the end of the path.

[@conpsalios1278]

Amazing scenes in the time of Covid. Not a mask in sight. People living their lives normally. Not a mask in sight. Refreshing to see.

[@mf5531]

Italians are smart and realize that a layer of fabric can not stop a microscopic germ.

[@vandijk8899]

Lavasa🤣

[@sweyne6710]

Beautiful ... can you please say when this was filmed?

[@denniscallan]

last year, October

[@patriciavillasolis4133]

❤❤

[@Wimvanhemelrijk]

By accident discovered your channel, while looking for informed for our next holiday. I loved every minute of your videos… can you tell me with what it is filmed?

[@denniscallan]

Glad you liked it. I filmed it with an iPhone 11 in 4k.

[@globalhealingprayermission1656]

I am coming soon

[@LindyBrophy]

You were in Portofino in October. Were people swimming in the ocean there in October?

[@rozaliasmolinska2408]

Piękne miasto znam piosenkę po polsku Portofino Może kiedyś odwiedzę to miejsce

[@lifeinfrenchriviera2332]

There I had the most expensive cocktail in my life!

[@ramzialberto1847]

Your videos is excellent as well as your comments, but there are some missing places like Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macao and Beijing, because you already been there.

[@Knowledgetherapy277]

There is a place name lavasa in india almost same like portofino but not that much crowded

[@yannlathro256]

Denniscallan, what the weather hot enough to swim? would like to visit early October like you but want to enjoy the water as well

[@denniscallan]

early October is probably too chilly to swim comfortably

[@tattiwilli1507]

I was there in 1996

[@aliaksandran6300]

1:39 - The narrow road.

[@bongsaumyasree5783]

How to get Protofino from cinque terre by train?Is there any direct train?

[@denniscallan]

No train in Portofino. You take the public bus (or the short boat ride, very scenic) to Santa Margherita then catch the train.

[@bongsaumyasree5783]

@@denniscallan Thank you sir. It's really help.

[@312admin]

مییایی اینجا ؟ داریم میریم Portofino, Italy ژوئن ۳

[@ewayne1527]

Are you required to wear long pants and covered shoulders to enter the churches in Portofino and Santa Margherita?

[@denniscallan]

no

[@delidesantis4694]

Castellano

[@johnnickson5523]

Too many boats, it would look better without those boats

[@Alvaro-qz6qk]

WTF the music