Portofino, Italy

About the Trail: Santa Margherita Ligure is a lovely resort town on the Ligurian Sea on the northwest coast of Italy. Portofino is a fashionable resort town crawling with celebrities. Both have very picturesque harbors, great seafood and a relaxing ambiance. Travel guru Rick Steves says that the trail between the two towns is one of the favorites of hikers. The distance is only about 3 miles, or 5 kilometers.

Portofino cannot be reached by train, so train travelers disembark at Santa Margherita Ligure. It is a short walk to the harbor with wonderful cafes and lovely boats. From the harbor in Santa Margherita Ligure, simply follow the harbor and sea coast and soon you are walking along the sea, past beaches laden with sun worshipers and secret pirate coves. At the tiny town of Paraggi, the trail takes up to the right side of the road on a nice paved/gravel path through the woods.

Reaching Portofino, you walk between stone walls and finally dive down to the tiny harbor stacked with million-dollar yachts and colorful fishing boats. The walker may choose to take the inexpensive ferry back to Santa Margherita Ligure or may walk back or take the bus. But first have a delightful meal and wine overlooking the beautiful people enjoying Portofino - be careful, you pay for the view and your beer may end up costing $15.

Trail to Portofino | Portofino Town, Harbor, Boats

Boats in harbor, Santa Margherita Ligure
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