DISCOVERING PORTOFINO

STAY

Portofino – Splendido, A Belmond Hotel

Perched on a wooded hillside above the harbour, Hotel Splendido began life as a 16th century Benedictine monastery before opening its doors as a hotel in the early 1900s. For more than a century it has drawn film stars, aristocrats, and poets, and it is easy to see why. Rooms are dressed in a light, classic northern Italian style, many with private terraces looking straight down over the bay. Spend the afternoon by the heated saltwater pool, unwind in the spa, then take the short walk or complimentary shuttle down to its sister hotel, Splendido Mare, on the Piazzetta. Above all, it is the service and the sense of quiet glamour that make every guest feel part of Portofino's story. Note that the hotel opens seasonally, from spring through autumn.

EAT

Ligurian Dining at La Terrazza

No visit to Portofino is complete without dinner at La Terrazza, Hotel Splendido's open-air restaurant. Under chef Corrado Corti, the menu celebrates Ligurian ingredients and the day's catch, turning local produce into elegant, modern dishes. As evening falls, candlelit tables look out over the twinkling harbour lights, accompanied by the gentle sound of the piano bar. Order anything with pesto: Liguria is its birthplace, and trofie al pesto here is a world away from the jar. Whether you book a table on the terrace or graze on warm focaccia in a harbourside café, Portofino offers an unforgettable taste of the Riviera.

DO

Walk the Harbour and See the Yachts

Portofino's harbour is compact enough to stroll around in minutes, yet it rewards a slow pace. Wander past the pastel facades, many painted with trompe l'oeil details that imitate stonework and window frames, and pause on the Piazzetta with an espresso or an evening spritz. In summer, the water fills with superyachts moored stern to the quay, sitting alongside traditional wooden fishing boats. It is the best people watching on the Riviera.

Climb to Castello Brown and the Lighthouse

A short uphill path from the harbour leads past the Church of San Giorgio to Castello Brown, a fortress that once guarded the bay and was later transformed into a private residence. Its gardens offer one of the finest views over the village. Continue along the wooded headland to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo, built in 1917, and watch the boats round the point as the sun goes down.

Take a Boat to San Fruttuoso

For a day away from the crowds, take a boat around the headland to San Fruttuoso, a secluded bay reachable only by sea or on foot. Its medieval Benedictine abbey sits right beside a small pebble beach, framed by steep wooded slopes. On the way, the boat passes over the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue placed on the seabed in 1954 in tribute to those lost at sea. Non divers can see a copy inside the abbey church. Check the last sailing back before you go, as ferries depend on the weather.

WEAR

From Harbour to Terrace with the Pembroke Tassel Loafer

Portofino calls for effortless Riviera style, and a loafer is the only shoe that belongs on the Piazzetta. Our Pembroke Tassel Loafer moves seamlessly from a morning stroll around the quay to candlelit dinner at La Terrazza. Made in Britain from cactus leather, it offers natural breathability and moisture control, keeping you comfortable through warm Ligurian days and the climb up to Castello Brown.

Set Sail in the Bridge-Bit Loafer in Navy

For the boat trip to San Fruttuoso, nothing feels more at home among the yachts than navy. The Bridge-Bit Loafer pairs perfectly with linen shirts, tailored shorts, or chinos, bringing a nautical touch to any outfit. Slip them off on the pebble beach, then slip them back on for an aperitivo on the harbour.