Golfo Tigullio

Enjoy the salty air, rocky cliffs, glassy seas and clear blue skies of the Tigullio Gulf coastline. Rugged mountains meet a sparkling sea in some of Italy’s most recognizable scenery. The area’s marinas and pastel-colored homes shimmer, looking magical in the sunshine. Visit Portofino and other resorts on the pretty Italian Riviera.

Walk along the region’s stately promenades and feel like a movie star on a break from a busy filming schedule. Appreciate the exclusive atmosphere and sensory pleasures of the Gulf region.

Enjoy mild and sunny weather in the great Ligurian outdoors, with swimming, watersports, hiking and cycling, especially in the Mount Portofino park. Sample the Ligurian style of eating, drinking and living as you meander through the little seaside towns, each with its own character. The seas are full of delicious seafood to savor with wine.

This region is the true living example of La Dolce Vita, with a sheen of old Hollywood glamour. It has also inspired literary greats like Shelley and Byron. For a daytrip farther down the coast, visit the Gulf of Poets, named after famous visiting 19th-century wordsmiths.

Portofino is the Gulf region’s most famous town. Moneglia is another serene village in a unique location and home to two castles. With a beautiful beach, it is also an ideal spot for scuba diving in pristine waters. Nearby Rapallo has an authentic maritime atmosphere along with the glamour of large hotels, leisure ports and a golf course. Reach Rapallo by taking its renowned cable car over the rolling hills from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro (Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montallegro), the best way to see this stunning area from the air.

As the five charming heritage villages of the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre area demonstrate, not all of the Tigullio Gulf region is ideal for driving. Go hiking, take the train or arrive at a beach by boat. There are plenty of ways to enjoy Portofino and other parts of this area’s splendor.