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Several countries owned Portofino before it was part of Italy. In the 10th century Portofino belonged to the Benedictine Abbey of San Fruttusos di Capodimonte, in 1171 the Rapallo Jurisdiction and in 1229 the Genoses Republic.
Portofino is a typical fishing village and the houses developed near the church of San Martino and stretched along the quay. Portofino is an idyllic location where the water reflects all the pastel washed houses running along the harbour. During the 1930s Portofino enjoyed a reputation with artists and also became a celebrity hideout. Several famous names could be seen arriving by yacht to enjoy the coastal town of Portofino.
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Museo di Arte Contemporanea di Villa Croce – Located at Via Jacopo Ruffini 3, Corso Aurelio Saffi, Genoa. This 18th century villa was donated in 1951 and houses temporary exhibition and the Cernuschi Ghiringhelli Collection of Foreign and Italian Abstract Art. The museum was opened in 1985 and has acquired more than 2 000 works of art. The villa is located in the middle of a public park, which looks towards the Portofino promontory. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 6:30pm.
San Fruttuoso – Located North west of Portofino. At San Fruttusos you wonder through vineyards, orchards and slopes, which are covered in cypress and olive groves. Here you will find an ancient Benedictine abbey. On a calm day, you can take a boat trip and try and spot the statue of Christ, immersed 15 meters below the surface in memory of all the divers who have lost their lives.
San Lorenzo della Costa – Located north of Portofino. The church of San Lorenzo is a beautiful church and contains some spectacular art works. There is a three-panelled altarpiece, which is believed to be the work of Gerard David.
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Da U’Batti – Located at Vico Nuovo 17, Portofino. Da U’Batti specialises in seafood, and this is quite obvious when you walk in the door, because you will find a pair of barnacle-encrusted anchors hanging above the entrance. The dishes are exquisite and there is a great selection of French and Italian wines to be enjoyed with your dinner. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 3pm and again from 8pm to 11:30pm. Da U’Batti is closed during December as well as January.
Delfino – Located at Mollo Humberto 1, Portofino. Delfino is one of the most fashionable restaurants in Portofino. The décor is kind of rustic, but the food is great. Their speciality is fish. Delfino’s is a great spot to go people watching, both the visitors and the villages alike will definitely amuse you. Delfino is open from April to October daily from noon to 3pm and again from 7pm to 11pm.
Ristorante da Puny – Located at Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta 5, Portofino. This quaint little restaurant is set up on the stone square, which opens onto the harbour. Ristorante da Puny is the living room of Portofino because it is in sight of all the evening activities and has a beautiful setting among the yachts. At night the green painted tables are set under trees on the outdoor terrace. The food is great and the atmosphere makes this restaurant the perfect place to enjoy a romantic evening in Italy. The restaurant is open from Friday to Wednesday from noon to 3pm and again from 7pm to 11pm. Ristorante da Puny is closed from the 15th of December to the 15th of February.
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La Gritta American Bar – Located at Calata Marconi 20, Portofino. This bar is very attractive and very friendly, and less hectic. There is a floating terrace, which is the perfect spot for a sundowner. There is an interesting mix of clientele from celebrities, tourists and even Navy personnel. The bar is open daily from 9pm to 3am in the summer time and in the winter Friday to Wednesday.
Scafandro American Bar – Located at Calata Marconi 10. Scafandro’s draws the yachting crowd. This establishment is plush and comfortable with nautical engravings on all the walls. Scafandro American Bar is open from June to September from 10am to 3am daily, and October to May from Wednesday to Monday.
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| There are no beaches in Portofino. The only way to access the sea is to jump off a yacht into the warm Mediterranean. |
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Santa Margherita Ligure – Located five kilometers north of Portofino. The Villa Durazzo is a 16th century building and the grounds contain elegant gardens and a large park, which features exotic plants, statues and fountains.
The Park of Portofino – The coast, which surrounds the promontory of Portofino forms part of a protected marine area for the conservation of the bio-diversities in the Mediterranean. The Regional Nature Park contains on of the greatest concentrations of flora in the Mediterranean, with a variety of birds and invertebrates. The Park of Portofino offers spectacular views of the Ligurian coast both from a naturalistic point of view, but also from a historic point of view.
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