Der Blick auf Portofino

Duration: 2–3 hours leisurely Best time: Late afternoon to sunset (for lighting and ambience) Start point: Portofino Harbour (La Piazzetta) End point: Portofino Lighthouse

Address: Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta This is the postcard-perfect heart of Portofino — pastel houses curving around the emerald bay, tiny boats bobbing below café umbrellas, and the air filled with salt and perfume. Taylor’s lyric, “That view of Portofino was on my mind,” could easily have been born from this very spot. The harbor’s serenity and symmetry feel cinematic — the kind of place where a fleeting moment becomes a forever memory. Swift Fan Tip: Grab a gelato or espresso from Gelateria San Giorgio and stand near the harbor wall to frame your photo. At golden hour, the reflections on the water mirror the pastel façades — a literal “view of Portofino.”

Route: From the piazzetta, take the narrow stepped path leading uphill toward Chiesa di San Giorgio. As you climb, the view expands — boats shrink to dots, and rooftops form a painter’s palette. This winding path mirrors the emotional ascent found in many of Taylor’s songs — quiet reflection before revelation. What to See: - Bougainvillea-covered walls - Local cats lounging on sun-warmed steps - Glimpses of the turquoise Ligurian Sea Lyric Parallel: Like in “Maroon” or “The Lakes,” this is a place of introspection — the kind of setting where an artist might replay memories, wondering what they meant.

Address: Via alla Penisola, 13 The 16th-century castle overlooks the bay from above. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton famously visited here — and given Taylor Swift’s lyrical reference to both Portofino and Elizabeth Taylor, this site ties the thread of Hollywood glamour and heartbreak together. Experience: Step onto the castle’s terrace. The view spans the harbor, the sea, and the cliffs beyond — it’s breathtaking and quiet, like a verse hanging in the air. Swift Fan Tip: Bring a small notebook. Write down what you see, feel, or remember. The castle terrace at dusk feels like standing inside a Taylor bridge — cinematic and emotionally suspended.

Route: From Castello Brown, follow the coastal path through the pine forest to the Faro di Portofino (Lighthouse). The walk is about 20 minutes, ending at a white lighthouse perched dramatically above the water. This is where the lyric “That view of Portofino was on my mind” feels literal. The open expanse, the sea turning gold, the town glowing below — it’s the perfect final frame. At the End: Stop for an aperitivo at Bar al Faro, the tiny café beside the lighthouse. Order a local Aperol Spritz or Vermentino wine. Watch the sun melt into the horizon — a quintessential Swiftian moment of closure and contemplation. Lyric Parallel: The scene evokes endings that feel like beginnings — like the last lines of “You Are in Love” or “Daylight.” The view becomes a metaphor for reflection, growth, and distance.

Address: Salita Baratta, 16 Distance: 10-minute uphill walk or 5-minute taxi from the harbor. Hotel Splendido is where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton stayed during their Portofino visits. Today, it remains one of the most exclusive stays on the Italian Riviera. The view from its terrace may well be the “view of Portofino” referenced in Swift’s lyric — the angle that captures the harbor, the hills, and the history all at once.

Even if you’re not a guest, you can stop by the Splendido Bar for a drink on the terrace. Try the Elizabeth Taylor cocktail — a purple-hued creation of crème de violette, gin, and lemon. Toast to timeless love, heartbreak, and artistic rebirth.

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