Portofino and Portovenere are two Italian luxury destinations that are similar, yet different. Let’s compare these gorgeous villages on the Italian Riviera.
Landscape, Nature & Hiking
Both Portofino and Portovenere are small fishing villages with picturesque harbors set in lush nature parks – respectively the Portofino National Park and the Regional Park of Portovenere. Both places offer amazing hiking trails, while their charming ports and ‘Dolce Vita’ lifestyle attract yachts and elite tourists. Portovenere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with its neighboring Cinque Terre and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, because the coast here “is a cultural landscape of great scenic and cultural value”.
Celebrities & Elite Tourism
Although Portofino is famous internationally while Portovenere is still largely unknown to most, both places have attracted artists and celebrities for centuries.
Portofino became very famous in the 1950s, when rich actors, pop stars and jetsetters started visiting it frequently for its luxurious atmosphere. But its appeal was evident already in the late 19th century, when Northern European aristocratic tourists began to visit the area, such as Aubrey Herbert and Elizabeth von Arnim.
Despite being off the radar for many, Portovenere has been a destination for elite tourism for over a century, attracting poets and artists such as the leading figure in the Romantic movement, Lord George Gordon Byron, and Nobel Prize winner Eugenio Montale, who dedicated a poem to Portovenere in 1925. Today, Portovenere is still a niche destination and has recently attracted VIP visitors such as movie director Steven Spielberg , Apple CEO Tim Cook, NBA Superstar LeBron James and maestro Andrea Bocelli.
Food & Wine
Portofino is in the Golfo del Tigullio, where typical dishes include the “farinata” chickpea pie, vegetable soups, stewed stockfish and the tempting “paciugo” ice-cream. The Golfo del Tigullio-Portofino DOC wines (with the Denomination of Controlled Origin) are produced with traditional grapes such as Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Vermentino and Bianchetta Genovese.
Portovenere is in the Gulf of Poets, where specialties include the “muscoli ripieni” (stuffed mussels), fried or cooked anchovies, and the mesciua soup with legumes and wheat. A fine and niche delicacy is farmed in the sea right in front of Portovenere: green oysters! Wines produced in the province of La Spezia include the DOC wines of Cinque Terre and Colli di Luni, and the IGT (typical geographical indication) wines of Golfo dei Poeti and Liguria di Levante. Don’t miss the chance to taste the unique Sciacchetrà, a sweet DOC wine that has almost the feel of a liqueur.
Both in Portovenere and Portofino, like in the rest of Liguria, you can enjoy the best, fresh homemade pesto that blends perfectly with typical pasta like trofie and trenette. And don’t miss the Riviera Ligure DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a typical product of excellence that is produced in the Riviera di Levante (the eastern coast where Portofino and Portovenere are located) as well as some other parts of Liguria.
Top things to see & do
In both Portofino and Portovenere you should take your time to stroll around and admire the old and colorful houses. They are also great for shopping, although in Portofino you will find more luxury shops with glamorous brands, while in Portovenere there are more artisanal workshops. As mentioned earlier, both are great hiking destinations and offer a fantastic coastline for unforgettable boat tours and sailing.
Top attractions in Portofino include the Brown Castle, the churches of San Martino and San Giorgio, Museo del Parco di Portofino and the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, where you can also dive to see the Christ of the Abyss.
In Portovenere you shouldn’t miss visiting the Doria Castle, Byron’s Grotto, the churches of San Pietro and San Lorenzo, the Roman Villa of Varignano and the island of Palmaria. The Muzzerone cliff is also ideal for rock-climbing, while divers can delight themselves in Portovenere’s Protected Marine Area.
Fancy neighbors for luxury day trips
While Portofino and Portovenere are the symbols of glamour and luxury in Liguria, they are also surrounded by lovely and often upscale villages. On the Tigullio Bay, Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the most elegant and old-fashioned seaside resorts in Italy. On the Gulf of Poets, Lerici is a hidden gem with a quaint vibe full of history. The renowned Versilia Riviera in Tuscany, with its luxury holiday resorts of Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi, is just a one-hour drive away from Portovenere.
Vacation in Portofino or Portovenere?
Why not visit both? Slow Travel is what matters: take your time to experience the Dolce Vita to the fullest and explore the destinations in all their dimensions, from their history and food to their nature and traditions. For example, a vacation of 5 to 10 days is ideal to calmly visit Portovenere, Portofino and all the beautiful gems between the Gulf of Poets and the Gulf of Tigullio.
Both Portofino and Portovenere can be reached by car, although their historic centers are only accessible by foot. Parking spaces are limited, and the costs depend on the season. The 5* Grand Hotel Portovenere offers complimentary parking for guests who book directly on its website. You can also arrive in the wonderful harbors of Portofino and Portovenere by boat, either with the popular ferries or with a private motorboat or yacht. The nearest train stations are respectively in Santa Margherita Ligure and in La Spezia, where you can either catch the bus or drive a rental car.
Are you looking for unusual experiences to enrich your luxury Italian Riviera vacation?
Here are a couple of ideas: set off with a kayak tour in Portofino’s Marine Protected Area, and taste fresh oysters and local wine on a boat while visiting the oyster farms in Portovenere.
1 Comment