Journal
Portofino and Forte dei Marmi: the Ligurian and Versilia trophy market
Published 7/28/2026
The harbour that never expands and the beach town of walled villas — how two of Italy's tightest luxury markets actually trade.
Portofino: a fixed supply
Portofino cannot grow. The promontory is a protected park, the village is a monument, and the villas above the harbour — towards Paraggi, San Sebastiano and Santa Margherita Ligure — are counted in dozens, not hundreds. Buyers here are acquiring position: a terrace over the bay, a private path to the water, mature Mediterranean gardens.
Forte dei Marmi: privacy behind walls
Versilia works differently. The most sought-after villas sit in the roccia and Vittoria Apuana districts, a few hundred metres from the sea, behind high walls and pine gardens, with the Apuan Alps as a backdrop. The market is dominated by families who return every summer, so properties are traded within a small circle and often before publication.
How we work in these markets
In both places the introduction matters more than the search. We maintain direct relationships with owners and notaries along the coast and can confirm, quickly, whether a property is genuinely available and at what realistic level — and we advise against the ones that are not worth a viewing.
Looking for a property in this area?
Tell us the location, the budget and the style you have in mind. As property finders with more than twenty years of experience we present a private shortlist, including off-market residences, and follow you to completion.