IS PORTOFINO WORTH THE HYPE? Italian Riviera's Most Infamous Town

The town of Portofino is known for its glamour. This small fishing village in the Italian Riviera is packed with expensive restaurants, designer shops, and lots of tourists. But is it worth the hype? Let's find out.
Get the best travel credit card that I personally use to save me tons on travel:
www.referyourchasecard.com/6/...
Check out my Guidebooks: www.eternal-expat.com/laura-b...
For more travel tips, check out my blog: eternal-expat.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow along on Social Media!
Facebook: / theeternalexpat
Instagram: / eternalexpat
---------------------------------------------------------------------
All Songs from Epidemic Sound
Songs for Maeve by American Legion
Our Secret Place by Daniel Kaede
Not Blue by Kylie Dailey

Пікірлер: 135

  • @babyknabe1
    @babyknabe12 жыл бұрын

    Portofino has a more exciting vibe in summer naturally... more people and more restaurants open. What makes the town so attractive to tourists is the Hotel Splendido. It is wonderful and the view and the atmosphere is why many people love Portofino. What they're really saying is... that they love Hotel Splendido. But, it's a splurge hotel and worth it.

  • @ruttolomeo1987
    @ruttolomeo19872 жыл бұрын

    Been there last summer for work. Fell in love with a local, had the time of my life, then she dumped me and broke my heart. Watched your video to see if I could spot her. I didn’t. I’ll never be back.

  • @logechi3661

    @logechi3661

    Жыл бұрын

    Where are you from?

  • @bluewhale2600

    @bluewhale2600

    Жыл бұрын

    😮😢

  • @ruttolomeo1987

    @ruttolomeo1987

    Жыл бұрын

    @@logechi3661 2 hours driving further north

  • @logechi3661

    @logechi3661

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ruttolomeo1987 ah ma allora italiano

  • @katarzynamariamuszynska2811

    @katarzynamariamuszynska2811

    5 ай бұрын

    Well it was holiday affair

  • @marioricher6934
    @marioricher6934 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot Laura for sharing your great pics and clips and your advices 😉

  • @j.merkel2313
    @j.merkel2313 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the info regarding prices and travel times, that's so helpful

  • @ramonlicha3881
    @ramonlicha38812 жыл бұрын

    Laura as always thanks for sharing this beautiful place. The views and the relaxing is amazing, Safe travels. We will put on our bucket list.

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I'm so glad you enjoy the videos :)

  • @soniapawlowska4940
    @soniapawlowska4940 Жыл бұрын

    thank you for the video Laura! I just came back from a day trip to Portofino and must say it's definitely worth a day trip as you mentioned, also- one additional info to share: there is a tiny pebble beach when you are going back from the lighthouse, instead of turning to the path back to castello brown one has to turn into a path going next to a fence, quite steep downwards. It's really lovely for a quick swim

  • @kimberlylewis3130
    @kimberlylewis31302 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos! Thanks for sharing! I'm trying to put together our itinerary and keep adding things after watching your videos! :)

  • @johncassani7804
    @johncassani7804 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the informative video! I am planning a trip in September to Genoa and trying to map out where to go from there. Your videos are very helpful and I'm so glad I found it!

  • @daveabhishek
    @daveabhishek Жыл бұрын

    Hey Laura. Thanks for the wonderful videos on Italian Riviera. We did a day trip from Milan to Santa Margherita Ligure then on the bus to Portofino a ferry to Rapallo and back to Milan. It was super easy and so much fun, thanks to your videos. Really worth a visit. Thanks again.

  • @maryddd3546
    @maryddd35462 жыл бұрын

    thanks for taking us with you, really enjoying your Italian videos

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much! I'm so glad you are enjoying the videos :)

  • @itsmetaran
    @itsmetaran Жыл бұрын

    Very serene & picturesque. Thanks for sharing.

  • @joannedegraaff
    @joannedegraaff Жыл бұрын

    thanks Laura for your honest and helpful tour - we are tossing between Como or this area on our family trip this summer! You made it feel worth the visit! It was like following a good friend around!

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    Жыл бұрын

    What a compliment thank you so much! I’m glad you found it helpful! This whole peninsula is worth visiting - be sure to spend some time in Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli and take a boat to San Fruttuoso! Enjoy ☺️

  • @williamh.schmidtjr.7614
    @williamh.schmidtjr.76142 жыл бұрын

    Very nice series of videos. Thank you for sharing your time in Italy

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much, I'm glad you are enjoying the Italy series!

  • @paolazuffinetti
    @paolazuffinetti2 ай бұрын

    Congratulations on this enchanting documentary, guided tour, information of Portofino! I felt I was really walking here! Well done, great job! 👌👏👍

  • @royfeely7145
    @royfeely7145 Жыл бұрын

    In between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino is a wonderful bay called Paraggi. Stunning beach and the colours that seem to glow on a sunny day are something else.

  • @Charityprincess
    @Charityprincess2 жыл бұрын

    Yes I loved it there.. many years ago I was there.....Thanks for sharing your beautiful video!

  • @darraghkelly1121
    @darraghkelly11212 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for these Italian videos. At the moment I 'm travelling around Tuscany but I'm taking inspiration from your journey along the Italian Riviera. Seriously thinking of going to Genoa next to follow the route you've been taking. Grazie mille!

  • @amadervlogs1.132

    @amadervlogs1.132

    2 жыл бұрын

    in advance welcome to genova🇮🇹

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    I highly recommend it! It's such a beautiful place!! Enjoy your time in Tuscany :)

  • @dangsterfnu3747
    @dangsterfnu3747 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Laura! We'll be there in mid April.

  • @NomadShifu
    @NomadShifu2 жыл бұрын

    Portofino is a picturesque fishing village with multicolored houses facing a harbor with crystalline green water. It became famous for its “Dolce Vita”; in fact, many actors, actresses, pop stars, and rich nobles began to frequent it for its sunsets, breathtaking views, and exclusive parties

  • @marje8249
    @marje824911 ай бұрын

    Beautiful .That little beach all to yourself 😊 I definitely go out of season now.

  • @thomasrichmond2413
    @thomasrichmond24132 жыл бұрын

    Great video! We were there in November and did the same as you. Stayed in Rapallo then drove to Portofino for Sunday brunch then back to Rapallo for a train to Cinque Terre. Can’t wait to see where you go next.

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    A very similar itinerary! I'm sure you can guess the next video!

  • @Bombolaninetynine

    @Bombolaninetynine

    2 жыл бұрын

    Close to Cinque Terre and La Spezia, there are many nice villages, check them out when you have the occasion. Lerici, Tellaro, Montemarcello and then a beautiful little historicalcity: Sarzana.

  • @lynneshrode2927
    @lynneshrode29272 жыл бұрын

    Reminds me of Positano and the Amalfi Coast in many ways. Beautiful. Love your videos.

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much! I'm headed to the Amalfi Coast later this year, so it will be interesting to compare the two!

  • @JackSmith-lv5lq
    @JackSmith-lv5lqАй бұрын

    100% agree. Nicely done

  • @dashago1314
    @dashago1314 Жыл бұрын

    thank u for this usefull innformation

  • @tanderalone
    @tanderalone Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this, ❤

  • @annebolduc6395
    @annebolduc6395 Жыл бұрын

    Great video Thanks :))

  • @bugsbane
    @bugsbane Жыл бұрын

    Well done Laura! Fave parts were: 1) when you said: "What's the big deal?" - which is exactly what I was asking myself. and you answered it well. 2) when you walked to that small lonely beach for lunch - my heart melted. - truly I'd've spent a lot more time just on that beach. did anyone come while you were there or did you have the beach to yourself? -also - did you see any celebrities? - it looks like a great place for celebrity look-alikes to hang around.

  • @gabittoyt

    @gabittoyt

    Жыл бұрын

    😊..

  • @Luigi-uj5ml
    @Luigi-uj5ml8 ай бұрын

    On the way out or back I suggest setting sail or landing in Camogli, possibly with a stop for lunch at Punta Chiappa. The TIGULLIO MARITIME SERVICE tickets from Camogli or from Punta Chiappa to Portofino are also valid from San Fruttuoso on the steamers of the Tigullio Maritime Service Consortium, Piazza Mazzini 33 A, 16038 Santa Margherita Ligure

  • @heatherraab4982
    @heatherraab49825 ай бұрын

    I went last July and took the ferry from Santa Margherita Ligure and took the bus back and did exactly the same things as you! I visited the bar at the lighthouse, the same little beach and I went swimming, stopped in a couple shops, and headed back. I agree with everything you said.

  • @stefaniamirri1112
    @stefaniamirri111210 ай бұрын

    Portofino is a yatches retreat in Summer, ppl comes to eat at the restaurants from the boats and eventually they do some shopping, attend exclusive parties in the villas on the hills around, but for normal people it isnt anything really more than a place where eventually you could spot VIPs, but not really to stay there for the length of an holiday

  • @EmEpsilon
    @EmEpsilon Жыл бұрын

    What a nice combination of experience sharing with you in video and voice over for more knowledge sharing. Quality talks 💃🫠

  • @athiwanhustead3104
    @athiwanhustead31048 ай бұрын

    I am enjoying your videos while researching for day trips from Genoa. Do you know if the ferries between towns run in late February? Thank you!

  • @Lauralaey5
    @Lauralaey5 Жыл бұрын

    I love the show!!!

  • @lexm9416
    @lexm9416 Жыл бұрын

    4 Euro's for a coffee isn't too bad - we paid 22 Euros in July 2022 for a diet coke and a small beer - loved the place though, well worth a visit.

  • @patriciof4406
    @patriciof44062 жыл бұрын

    Laura, wow, we are visiting cinque terra, seeing your video, was a sobering info, we were thinking in walking, but we are a bit old, to do that, Train it is. thank much love.

  • @cynthiasutcliffe673
    @cynthiasutcliffe6738 ай бұрын

    Mid September Portofino was packed by 11 a.m. drink prices were double and the buses were jammed. Definitely over-hyped.

  • @funforsum
    @funforsum Жыл бұрын

    One of my favorite places I’ve ever visited

  • @jeanetteberesford5028
    @jeanetteberesford50282 ай бұрын

    Went there on a day trip in 2012 never forgotten where the rich and famous have walked x thank you

  • @2wheelsehrolling894
    @2wheelsehrolling894 Жыл бұрын

    I slept in the parking lot. V W. December 1970.

  • @judit1783
    @judit17832 жыл бұрын

    I love the family run hotels and B&Bs in Positano. The grocery store on the top roads, near the bus stop, offer to-go food for hikes, to take to room or to sit on the wall and eat. The pottery artist displayed in stores further away from beach are great.

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    I should have explored up into the hills more, but I wanted to save my legs for hiking I was going to be doing the next day.

  • @john-juanmartinez9398
    @john-juanmartinez93982 жыл бұрын

    Thank you ,very much .

  • @ozmunky
    @ozmunky2 жыл бұрын

    Legend has it that when Madonna was staying at the Splendido (on the hill), the Chef sent one of the cooks down to the rocks with a rod & reel to catch a fish -- sounds like a hairy yarn to me, but I love it ... Lol 😁

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    haha lots of interesting stories!

  • @philipde
    @philipde2 жыл бұрын

    I live in Santa , you did a nice job with this video. Next time go deeper into Santa and Rapallo

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    I will definitely be back, it's such a magical place!

  • @enricocurcio1610
    @enricocurcio16102 жыл бұрын

    I don't know how i found your channel, but i'm glad i did, i already watched 10 videos, all the way from italy and france and Lithuania, A MAI ZING, just subscribed, i think you should go back to France, and visit nice and Monaco

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much, so glad you are enjoying the videos! I would love to go back to the south of France - I'm thinking next winter (maybe Jan/Feb 2023) to escape the winters again and see this region!

  • @enricocurcio1610

    @enricocurcio1610

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@laura-bronner Escape the winter here in Brazil, you won't regret it

  • @Luigi-uj5ml
    @Luigi-uj5ml8 ай бұрын

    The Portofino Pass, showing at minute 2:09, mandatory for non-residents, is valid for a single journey from Santa Margherita to Portofino or vice versa with line 782 (ex 82) and until the time limit expires (75 minutes ) now also in the tariff zones of Recco, Rapallo, Ruta, Zoagli and Camogli. The current price is now €3.50. It is a special ticket similar to the railway tickets for the 5 Terre or within them. This too, like that for the 782 car line, does not allow intermediate stops. If you are found traveling on the 5 Terre trains with tickets stamped to travel with a previous train, the fine starts from a minimum of €50.00 plus the price of a new ticket to go where you need to go. Failure to stamp paper tickets with legible date and time also entails a hefty fine

  • @CB-jq7fe
    @CB-jq7fe Жыл бұрын

    Cool!

  • @roseg.4354
    @roseg.435410 ай бұрын

    Hermoso lugar ❤

  • @bill6698
    @bill66982 ай бұрын

    I would vote for staying in Santa Margherita(Hotel Internazionale)...much more cvilized...I was in Portofino in late March...not impressed, regardless of it being shoulder season. SM is much more real once you're away from the more touristy areas. A beautiful area to visit, and the walk to Portofino is a good one.

  • @judit1783
    @judit17832 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking, you need to rent a car because Italy has loads of Artist houses where they have shops but they are not in town locations. Plus farm stays and vineyard stays are an experience to have in Italy, some offer a cooking class too.

  • @Bombolaninetynine

    @Bombolaninetynine

    2 жыл бұрын

    We rented a car and we visited many little villages between Liguria and Tuscany: Lerici,Tellaro, Montemarcello ,Bocca Di Magra ( with a beautiful view of Apuane Mountains),Sarzana, Fosdinovo and Pietrasanta are just few of them. we really had great time

  • @nightrider3314
    @nightrider3314 Жыл бұрын

    Very beautiful town

  • @ozmunky
    @ozmunky2 жыл бұрын

    Was wondering when you were gonna post from there -- the home of the €10 cappucino

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    😂

  • @KPLifewithTravel
    @KPLifewithTravel2 жыл бұрын

    Something different nice video , I like your vlog style it’s good 👍 , I’m also solo travel vlogger and creating travel tourism videos. You traveled many countries and it’s amazing 🙏

  • @ozmunky
    @ozmunky2 жыл бұрын

    Another mad Portofino story (true I was there) -- at the Delfino restaurant, there was a senior lady having lunch there (2013) and the owners said it was Andrea Bocelli's mother and she is there most days. We said hello to her. Bravo.

  • @epp
    @epp Жыл бұрын

    I just have missed it if it was mentioned, but what month was this?

  • @tanderalone
    @tanderalone Жыл бұрын

    I love the way you say margarita ligure lol

  • @alnobreyd
    @alnobreyd Жыл бұрын

    My Mom Went and said she loves it

  • @lixian0072000
    @lixian00720009 ай бұрын

    can you use credit card for the bus ticket vendoring machine?

  • @kurdtLycan
    @kurdtLycan2 ай бұрын

    You seem very deliberate. I like it.

  • @steverardo3923
    @steverardo39232 жыл бұрын

    Grande Laura se vuoi fare un altro tour in Genova call me! 🙂🙂🙂 thanks for the good job that you do

  • @steverardo3923

    @steverardo3923

    2 жыл бұрын

    I can show to you some secret place like villa Pallavicini in Pegli, and the best street food Gran Ristoro sotto ripa historic center Genova, Grazieeeeeeee have a nice trip.

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like fun!

  • @steverardo3923

    @steverardo3923

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good sunny day, Laura, I m really interesting to show to you my town , l like your smile 😄one more time thanks.

  • @Jeffybonbon
    @Jeffybonbon Жыл бұрын

    I think its worth a visit by boat but i am not sure i would wish to stay there for days great video

  • @ronaldus2505
    @ronaldus2505 Жыл бұрын

    Could you please say recafinated and Portofino a few thousand times? I would sleep excellent on it. Thank you:)

  • @andreachiantore2027
    @andreachiantore20272 жыл бұрын

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    Oh good me too!!

  • @imneverwrongsometimestruthlies
    @imneverwrongsometimestruthlies Жыл бұрын

    There's a place like this in India called lavasa..it's good too

  • @debbiedaniel9774
    @debbiedaniel9774 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your video, Laura! I recently discovered your channel and have been following along as you explore Liguria! We will be staying in Camogli in May and wish to spend half day visiting Portofino and Santa Margheritta. Hiking appears slightly too ambitious. Is that enough time to see sights and would it be easy to book ferry / bus? Thank you in advance for sharing your recommendations!

  • @natasha123309
    @natasha123309Ай бұрын

    The name is more than what it actually is. It is just like the other small towns or villages in the area. As far as communication goes it was horrible. They had a bus running every 45 min or more and it was packed. The busses were small and could only keep about 30-40 people the most. People were packed in the bus like sardines. There were so many people waiting for the bus and it was always full. So disorganized. If they want tourists to go there they got to take care of the transportation cause we spend our money there and it is not cheap. So crowded and not worth it. We were so surprised when we saw how that was managed by the local transportation company. Even the taxis were so hard to get. The line waiting for a taxi was insane.

  • @olgasampis9745
    @olgasampis9745 Жыл бұрын

    Some friends just W͏e͏n͏tworth there, and the hike around Portofino, was closed

  • @kidiangatshiunza9942
    @kidiangatshiunza9942 Жыл бұрын

    Do you have someone walking with you and filming while you are talking? If not, are you using the phone to film?

  • @ibelsisperez963
    @ibelsisperez963 Жыл бұрын

    Is there any way to get to the Castle than hiking?

  • @rd7022
    @rd7022 Жыл бұрын

    Any idea how to get to Portofino from Cinque Terre, is it a combination of train and ferry ? Any tips will be helpful 11:16

  • @EmEpsilon

    @EmEpsilon

    Жыл бұрын

    From La Spezia you can take the train but it is not Cinque Terre, or also that train’s end station is Levanto, you can take from there as well I guess

  • @khm2917
    @khm29176 ай бұрын

    Sorry but didn’t catch it, what month did you visit Portofino ? Is it worth it to visit in March?

  • @yarobshakir8780
    @yarobshakir8780 Жыл бұрын

    Didn't see portofino,we were well informed about the transport system,is this a transport information channel or a tour one ,I am bit confused 🤔

  • @didinch8771
    @didinch87716 ай бұрын

    ❤️❤️❤️

  • @rohandante
    @rohandante Жыл бұрын

    Inspiration for Lavasa.

  • @ululc3127
    @ululc3127 Жыл бұрын

    nice

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Caracas ha un clima invidiabile penso alla Isla margarita Venezuela ❤

  • @gsgregoryphotography
    @gsgregoryphotography Жыл бұрын

    Nice video, however saying that you wouldn’t stay longer than you did isn’t fair when you haven’t experienced the sunrise or the atmosphere in the evening.

  • @LeticiaVicario
    @LeticiaVicario2 жыл бұрын

    🌊💙

  • @PierooriginalItaly
    @PierooriginalItaly7 ай бұрын

    😉👍

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Condivido ma il mare che mi ha dato la sensazione di essere in paradiso terrestre Los Roques poi Isla margarita Venezuela

  • @RiteshSahu-bf1ir
    @RiteshSahu-bf1ir3 ай бұрын

    I suggest, you will visit lawasa city of India 🇮🇳

  • @kurdtLycan
    @kurdtLycan2 ай бұрын

    Are you Italian or American? I can't tell. Great video btw

  • @ombra306
    @ombra306 Жыл бұрын

    CHE bel naso rosso!

  • @DavidS-ox3li
    @DavidS-ox3li Жыл бұрын

    The village looks kind of run- down when it’s not gloriously sunny out.

  • @storres1368
    @storres13682 жыл бұрын

    🥂🥂❤️

  • @kopynd1
    @kopynd1 Жыл бұрын

    does Lawrence Lawrenson still live there micheal caine

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Dovrò parlare i. Italiano

  • @valwas6581
    @valwas6581 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Laura, no offence: Ligure has the accent on the i = Li'gure. But I forgive you because : 1. you may have been mislead by the fact that Liguria (the name of the region) has the accent on the u = Ligu'ria and 2. because your video is very very well produced, also the music is appropriate and you capture the essence of this small little gem in full. Brava!! Love from UK

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Sono Naty in Italia la mi seconda casa e in Venezuela

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    La bellezza di un paese Ospitale la gente è amabile e trabajadora

  • @bilalotman2984
    @bilalotman2984 Жыл бұрын

    انت جميلة انا امل المغرب

  • @theartesana
    @theartesana2 жыл бұрын

    Did you change the name of the channel? What happened?

  • @laura-bronner

    @laura-bronner

    2 жыл бұрын

    I changed the channel name back at the start of January :) You can check out that video here if you're interested: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dX-VktGfhLC2qbw.html

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Visitate l arcipelago naturale del Venezuela UNESCO patrimonio culturale Los Roques

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Cosa vuoi che ti dica

  • @eugenm
    @eugenm Жыл бұрын

    But why is this town "infamous" ? This is what you wrote in the title.

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    La spiaggia y è orribile preferisco la Sardegna a Torre dei corsari o detta anche di flumentorgiu Arena di barriera corallina 🌹

  • @meoliau
    @meoliauАй бұрын

    I thought this review lacked vibe and made the presentation boring. What you saw was one of the most beautiful town in Italy and the coastline is unbelievable. Instead of taking the bus consider walking from Santa Margherita to Portofino. 40 minutes of heaven. The presentation was so blah!!! Not good in my view!

  • @andreamancio4696
    @andreamancio46962 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos :) . Just a tip: before saying whatever thing in italian listen in google how to pronounce it (your accent is quite funny and something not the best 😅)

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Meglio la Sardegna a Torre dei corsari

  • @MaurizioRaso
    @MaurizioRaso2 жыл бұрын

    I'm from Genova. Portofino don't worth the hype and money ;)

  • @gabittoyt
    @gabittoyt Жыл бұрын

    Egitto Urgada e y mi sono più ma a volte dal caldo al freddo questo lo fa il paese Veneo Colonia Tovar