On the Italian Riviera, you can find the ancient fishing village of Portofino. Perched on the hills surrounding the harbor are pastel colored houses. 

You can enjoy a meal while admiring the picturesque view or shop in the many gift stores around the harbor.

While in Portofino, you can visit Castello Brown. Built in the 16th century, the huge fortress is now a house museum. Once the residence of Yeats Brown, the British Consul of Genoa, it sits on the hill above the village. It can be reached by an uphill path near the Botanic Garden and has great views of the village and the sea. There are furnishings and pictures owned but he Browns and photos of many famous visitors of the village. 

WEBSITE:  www.castellobrown.com

To reach San Giorgio Church and Castello Brown, head towards the harbor and walk uphill on the right side. You’ll pass the church on the way to the lighthouse and Castello Brown. 

San Giorgio Church and Lighthouse

In a panoramic position on the way to the castle, you can visit San Giorgio Church, rebuilt after the last war. Another scenic pathway takes you clear out to the lighthouse, faro, on Punta del Capo.

You can visit this picturesque village as a part of your port stop. It takes about an hour from the cruise port and there are taxi tours which includes an hour stay in the village. You can find these tours offered at the port cruise when you dock. 

On our port stop, we spent the morning visiting Portofino then spent the rest of day exploring Genoa.