By Contributor,Rebecca Ann Hughes
Copyright forbes
In May 2024, Taylor and now-fiancé Travis Kelce were seen in the Lake Como region, though it’s unclear if they visited Portofino.
Taylor Swift is once again dominating headlines with the release of her highly anticipated new album, The Life of a Showgirl. Beyond breaking records in the music world, including exceeding five million pre-saves on Spotify, making it the most pre-saved album in Spotify history, the second track, “Elizabeth Taylor”, is already influencing global travel trends.
City break experts Travel Republic have found that a single lyric: “That view of Portofino was on my mind”, has already sparked an extraordinary 1329% surge in global Google searches for the Italian Riviera hotspot in just one hour of the song’s release.
Portofino: A celebrity hotspot
In May 2024, Taylor and now-fiancé Travis Kelce were seen in the Lake Como region, though it’s unclear if they visited Portofino. Her mention of the town could be another musical ‘Easter egg’ rather than a literal reference.
Often referred to as Harbour Square, this charming village centre is renowned for its gelato-hued buildings and active marina, where luxury yachts gently bob on the water.
However, Italy has become a celebrity hotspot in 2025: Jeff Bezos married Lauren Sánchez in a lavish Venice wedding attended by stars like Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, in July, Kate Hudson and Dakota Johnson were spotted in Rome, while Dua Lipa and her fiancé Callum Turner enjoyed a holiday in Palermo, and most recently, Milan Fashion Week drew celebrities including Elliot Page and Demi Moore.
Experts at Travel Republic have picked out some of the Portofino hotspots that could have been on Swift’s mind in her latest track and where other celebrities have been spotted enjoying the stunning scenery:
Castello Brown
A favoured venue for exclusive celebrity events, most notably the wedding of Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, this historic fortress towers above Portofino Bay. It offers sweeping views of the pastel-coloured harbour, the sparkling Ligurian coastline, and the rolling hills beyond. A must-see for photographers and history lovers alike, it’s also a prime spot for celebrity spotting.
Piazzetta di Portofino
Often referred to as Harbour Square, this charming village centre is renowned for its gelato-hued buildings and active marina, where luxury yachts gently bob on the water. Fashion influencers Leonie Hanne and Alexander Galievsky were seen here in June 2024, mixing with other well-known faces around the crowded waterfront and marina. It’s the classic Portofino postcard view and shouldn’t be missed.
Church of San Giorgio
In summer 2024, Madonna was spotted in Portofino around her 66th birthday, exploring the town’s scenic and historic spots, from strolls along the village streets to visits near the Church of San Giorgio. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the bay, this small church offers a tranquil retreat with panoramic views of the Mediterranean – perfect for quiet reflection and capturing stunning photos.
La Terrazza Restaurant
La Terrazza at Hotel Splendido sits on a hillside terrace with breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea and the harbour. Known for its refined Italian cuisine and romantic wisteria-covered terrace, it hosted a star-studded celebration in June 2025 as part of the hotel’s grand reopening, with guests including Jeff Goldblum, Kelly Rutherford, Baz Luhrmann, Tina Kunakey, Catherine Martin, and Ana Ivanović, cementing its status as a glamorous, exclusive destination.
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