SherryStay Destination Guide
Portofino
Italy's most glamorous fishing harbour — yachts, pastel and green cliffs.
Italy
Sherry's Take
Stay in Santa Margherita Ligure — 10 minutes by bus or ferry from Portofino, half the price, and a lovely seaside town in its own right. Do Portofino itself for sunset and dinner.
Best For
LuxuryCouplesRomantic weekendThe Italian Riviera
Go in
MayJuneSeptember
Avoid if possible
August
Where to Stay
Portofino itself
A handful of very pricey rooms; a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Santa Margherita Ligure
The smart base: pretty, accessible, half the price
Rapallo
The biggest and cheapest of the three; train and ferries
Money-Saving Tips
- 1The gap between sleeping in Portofino and Santa Margherita can run to hundreds of euros a night — on the same bay.
- 2The Santa Margherita → Portofino walk along the shore (an hour) is gorgeous and free.
- 3An aperitivo on the harbour instead of a full meal — you get Portofino's "scene" over a single Campari.
Getting Around
- 1Train from Genoa/Milan to Santa Margherita; then bus 82 or a ferry to Portofino.
- 2Coastal ferries also connect to San Fruttuoso and Cinque Terre in season.
- 3In Portofino itself — everything is a 5-minute walk.
Most Common Mistake
Insisting on sleeping in Portofino "because of the name" — and paying double for a small room, when Santa Margherita gives you the same coast, the same ferries and the same sunset.
Ideal Stay
1–2 nights
Combine with
- • Cinque Terre
- • Genoa
- • Milan
Hotels Sherry Recommends
Useful Local Hotel Phrases
Italian- HelloCiaoCHOW
- Good morningBuongiornobwon-JOR-no
- Thank youGrazieGRAH-tsyeh
- PleasePer favorepair fah-VOH-reh
- Check-inRegistrazionereh-jee-strah-TSYOH-neh
- Check-outPartenzapar-TEN-tsah
- HotelAlbergoal-BAIR-go
- ReceptionReceptionreh-SEP-shon
- BreakfastColazioneko-lah-TSYOH-neh
- Wi-FiWi-Fiwee-FEE
- TaxiTaxiTAK-see
- AirportAeroportoah-eh-ro-POR-to
- HarbourPortoPOR-to
- HelpAiutoah-YOO-toh
- How much?Quanto costa?KWAN-toh KOS-tah
- Where is...?Dov'è...?doh-VEH
