Rapallo Travel & Vacation Guide

The two scenic trails, that unroll down Mount Portofino and from the bay along the coastline, lead to the ancient San Fruttuoso Abbey, alternatively reachable only by boat. The elegant architecture blends perfectly with the surrounding regional park, a protected gem that houses Mediterranean flora and fauna.

Located on a promontory high above the sea level, Castle Brown overlooks the bay and offers a sweeping view of the harbour. Dating back to the 1400s, it served as a fortress for years, guarding Portofino with its majestic figure. Nowadays, Castle Brown houses exhibitions and special events, boasting a Mediterranean garden that flourishes with roses and local flora.

St. Giorgio´s Church´s evocative location has fascinated travellers throughout the years, offering a beautiful terrace that dominates the bay. Dating back to 1154, it is perched on top of Portofino´s promontory, bravely standing on the peak of a cliff.

The old saying "you can´t judge a book by its cover" applies neatly to Divo Martino´s Church. The flat facade conceals the interiors built on the XII century. Once the massive bronze doors are opened, the decorated ceiling and the pillars enchant both tourists and locals alike.

On the 23rd of April, Portofino embraces a party atmosphere in the biggest celebration in town. This religious feast day culminates with a bonfire on the main square, a peculiar event that attracts both the young and older crowds.

Tortuous paths run through Mount Portofino and its park in an intricate knot of hiking trails. From Portofino, make your way through the local nature and a steep climb to get to the otherwise inaccessible San Fruttosio: the Abbey and the Bay are both worth visiting. Alternatively you can also enjoy walking up to the top of Mount Portofino or to St. Margherita Ligure.

La Piazzetta is Portofino's iconic main square which, overlooking the harbour and the myriad of boats anchored at the port, is a peaceful spot where you can enjoy traditional specialties or just sit and experience firsthand the vastness of the Ligurian Sea. Plentiful boutiques, art galleries and restaurants are located in the surrounding area, making the bustling centre an ideal gathering point.

Only a few hundred meters away from Portofino, Paraggi Beach is a natural inlet of emerald water and natural wonders. Loved by both tourists and locals alike it is renowned for its sea bottom, rich in red corals that belong to Portofino´s marine sanctuary. The myriad of restaurants and bars make Paraggi beach and village a favourite among party-lovers.

Just below the lighthouse, on a terrace with a view of the sea, you can find the Al Faro Restaurant. After a walk up the stairway "Salita San Giorgio" treat yourself with one of their cocktails or a glass of wine: either way, they're always accompanied by complementary snacks.

Covo Di Nord-Est is the Riviera's most famous nightclub, and features both indoor and outdoor sections: the bar is located in the former, while the dance floor and the sofas, arranged differently every night, can be found in the latter. Their main DJ console hosts local artists as well as more well known names in the music industry.

Dishes served here all follow the Italian tradition: they're mainly fish-based and joined by cocktails made with champagne and fresh fruit. La Gritta American bar also features a floating terrace, which can be booked for parties and events. It offers a sweeping view of the harbour.

This bar's location makes it possible to see both the boats docked at the bay and the bustling main square of the town from their veranda, all while sipping on a glass of Aperol or prosecco.

Located away from the more crowded alleys, Winterose is a bar in which you can enjoy a glass of wine accompanied by appetisers made with Parma ham and Valtellina cheese, all while enjoying a front row view of the bay.

Antica Sartoria offers you the "Positano" style. The hot summer that characterises the city begged for lighter clothes, which then evolved into the colourful pareos, sarongs and evening gowns that can be found here.

Brunello Cucinelli´s works have a home in Portofino, too. This luxury boutique focuses mainly on menswear designed by one of the leading brands of the Italian fashion industry.

Located in the fashion heart of Portofino and housing four boutiques, Brunetto Tiziano offers signature designs by many Italian fashion brands such as Peserico and Jacob Cohen. Their items range across ages and genders, going from menswear to women´s and kid´s clothing and accessories.

Emilio Pucci is a well-renowned Italian brand name, so no wonder that it has opened a store in the shopping district of Portofino. Women, kids, or men´s clothing and accessories abound, but you can also find articles such as pillows, notebooks and water bottles under their "Unexpected Pucci" line .

Falconeri boasts a vast selection of "made in Italy" items: starting from woollen crew necks and roll necks, going through gloves and mittens made of cashmere, to silk scarves.They also offer custom pieces through their online store.

Portofino doesn´t boast only exclusive clothing retails, but stands out also in the jewellery industry. Gold Forever is a destination visited by VIPs and Arab magnates alike, with their display of signature jewels.

Another big name pops out in Portofino, at Molo Umberto I, right in front of the port. This Louis Vuitton shop features brightly lit white and wooden interiors that make its offering of high-end clothes, bags, shoes and accessories stand out even more.

The owner's works adorn the walls of this little gallery that also serves as a shop, located on one of the roads leading to the main square. If you want a souvenir to bring back home, here you can purchase oil and watercolour paintings, lithographs or posters inspired by the views and panoramas of the city.

Characterised by a Mediterranean climate, Portofino's temperature does vary between seasons, but the winds and the nearby sea influence its weather to make it pleasant year-round. The warmest period lies in the summer months: that's when you will find most of the city's festivals, but also the highest number of tourists and the priciest accommodation. If you instead prefer a cooler climate and more affordable prices, while still having the chance to pay a visit to the beach, then the seasons of autumn and winter are the best for you.

Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

From the Airport of Genova you can take the bus 882 to Santa Margherita Ligure, from where you will take the train Roma - Genova - Torino (check www.trenitalia.com to see departures). Alternatively, you can book a taxi: Abacus Transfer Taxi. +39 331 1678040 / +39 373 8746794 Web: www.abacustaxi.it e-mail: abacus.taxi@yahoo.it From the Airport of Pisa you can take a train to Pisa Centrale and from there, take the line that will lead you to Portofino. If you intend to take a taxi, the service is run by CO.TA.PI (Pisa taxi cooperative) and the taxi stand is located in front of the terminal exit, at arrivals. To enjoy the view of the beautiful port of Portofino, it´s recommended travelling by boat from Golfo Paradiso (www.golfoparadiso.it) or Genova (www.battellierigenova). It also recommended because it´s not possible to reach the central by either car, bus or train because Portofino is a pedestrian area only. The city is reachable by car but you will have to park just outside the city borders and parking fees tend to be quite steep.

As the city of Portofino is a big, pedestrian area, there are no buses, trams or trains of any sort in the centre; on the other side, numerous walking trails connect the central area to the lighthouse and other destinations through Portofino Promontory. A bus line runs from S. Margherita Ligure Station to Martiri della Libertà Square, stopping at Covo Nord-Est and Paraggi.

As already mentioned, the best way to get to/from Portofino is by boat, and in Portofino you will find plentiful options to rent one. Portofino Taxi Boat +39 338 3168058 www.portofinotaxiboat.it Cesare Charter Portofino Molo Umberto I +39 342 141 5161 Taxi Enrico +39 339 352 5993 Santa Margherita Ligure

In Italy the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The power plugs and sockets are of type F (two pins, compatible also with types C and E) and L (three pins, compatible also with type C).

There is only one pharmacy within the city of Portofino, which is located at Piazza Martiri. When that is closed, you will find on the door a sign that directs you to the other open pharmacies in the surrounding cities.

Italian post offices have a yellow PT sign popping out of the wall, which makes it easy to find the one and only office located in town. Here, you will find stamps and you will be able to post letters or postcards. Mail boxes are red, with "poste" written on them.