You will find the village of Portofino nestled in a snug harbour on a rocky outcropping along the Ligurian coast. One of the most desired yachting spots in the Mediterranean, its pink and ochre-colored buildings and cobblestone streets are framed by hills covered with pine and olive trees, all centered around a picturesque marina where fishing boats and super yachts share the space. The view from the harbour is unforgettable.
Surprisingly little has changed since the 1950’s and 60’s, when it became the place to go for celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and even Winston Churchill. Today it’s still an essential stop for billionaires with mega-yachts like Paul Allen and Steven Spielberg. Portofino and its alluring surroundings have been protected areas since 1935, and the flora, birds, underwater life and architecture have remained largely undisturbed.
Portofino’s prime attraction is the atmosphere, a timeless mix of old-style charm and “la dolce vita” of the rich and famous. It’s not the place for running around to catch all the touristic sights, but rather, to relax, take it slow and drink in in the stunning views. The deck of a yacht is the perfect setting for a visit to Portofino, where a person can experience Mediterranean magic with the sounds and smells of the sea nearby, and apart from the hustle and bustle of the day tourists on shore.
When you feel like it, walk around the tiny village; drop in at any of the boutique shops, which feature both international luxury fashion brands as well as local chic and artistic creations.
Dining in Portofino goes by Italian time, so breakfast is whenever you wake up, lunch happens around 2-4 pm, and dinner will start after 8. If you go onshore, there are a number of restaurants to choose from, serving excellent fish and pesto dishes. Or stop at a wine bar to sample some of the regional varieties, which may not be available outside of Italy. Some places also feature locally produced Limoncello. Your visit is not complete without stopping for a taste of the famous Italian gelato, served from shops on the harbour.
Portofino features a few historical sites which combine classical architecture with pristine natural surroundings and fantastic views. Early morning or late afternoon are good times to follow the winding path that leads through patches of flowers past the Church of St. Giorgio and up to the 16th century fort Castello Brown on the hilltop, with its breathtaking panorama of the town, harbour and Mediterranean Sea. Not to be missed, the Museo del Parco is a unique terraced outdoor sculpture garden overlooking the marina. There is also the La Cervara Abbey with its wisteria courtyard, located on a cliff between Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure, and dating back to the 14th century.
Last but not least, pilot your yacht over to the protected waters of San Fruttuoso Bay and don scuba gear to see the mystical Christ of the Abyss statue, which lies about 56 feet underwater. There are a number of underwater shipwrecks in the area too. If you’re not a scuba diver, you will still enjoy the famous red coral and abundant fish and sea life in the rocky coves along the spectacular coastline, or just taking in the sun on deck while anchored off the Italian Riviera beaches.
There are many reasons why the ultimate setting for visiting Portofino is aboard a yacht. Whether you obtain a berth in the harbour (reserve space way in advance) or anchor in a cove near the town, from the deck you can experience the serenity and beauty of the area as it was back in the original resort days of the 50’s and 60’s, apart from the hustle and bustle of day tourists and modern life. Have the option to dine locally onshore, or with elegance and perfect sunset views on deck. Disembark and hike some of the area’s 80 miles of nature trails, or anchor in any of the picturesque coves and spend your days in the sunshine and water.
The scenery from your offshore setting is simply extraordinary, and you could spend hours just taking in the views.
If you want to experience the ultra-glamorous megayacht scene, there are few better ways to do it than to drop anchor in or around Portofino. And Monaco is only 4 hours away on a fast yacht.
Don’t worry about the details. SCS Company, headquartered in Genoa, is a 3rd generation family-operated yacht agency that is ready to assist you and make yachting what it should be: a problem-free and ultra-relaxing adventure. SCS yachting can put together a customized crew of seasoned professionals and organize yacht supplies according to your needs, as well as take care of all required paperwork, making your getaway experience exactly that.
Caption: Whether you pilot your yacht or are looking for an experienced Mediterranean pilot and crew, contact SCS for all your onshore and at sea needs at [website homepage].
Via Fieschi 8/1 – 16121 Genova Italy
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Capitaneria di Porto
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Genova Italia
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