SherryStay Destination Guide
Portofino
Italy's most glamorous fishing harbour — yachts, pastel and green cliffs.
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
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.
1–2 nights
- • Cinque Terre
- • Genoa
- • Milan
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
Portofino at a glance
- Portofino is in Italy.
- The nearest airport to Portofino is Genoa (GOA); Pisa (PSA) or Milan as larger alternatives.
- Getting in from the airport takes 45–60 min from Genoa airport.
- The best way in is Train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then ferry, bus or taxi to Portofino.
- A day in Portofino costs roughly $120–180 per person on a budget, $300–500 mid-range and $900+ at the luxury end.
- Sherry suggests 1–2 nights in Portofino.
- November is usually the cheapest month to visit Portofino, August is the busiest, and May offers the best value.
Common questions
- Do I need a car in Portofino?
- No — cars are restricted and parking is very limited and pricey; arrive by train to Santa Margherita then bus, ferry or taxi.
- Is Portofino expensive?
- Very — it is among Italy's priciest spots; many visitors stay in nearby Santa Margherita Ligure and day-trip in.
- Does Portofino have beaches?
- Barely — Paraggi is the small sandy cove nearby; most swimming is off rocks or at lidos in neighbouring towns.
- How long should I spend in Portofino?
- A half or full day covers the village; stay overnight only for the quiet, glamorous evenings after the day-trippers leave.
- How do I get to Portofino?
- Train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then the local bus, a ferry, or a taxi for the final scenic stretch to the harbour.
Where to stay in Portofino
Looking for hotels in Portofino? It helps to decide on an area first — our guide to where to stay in Portofino sets out which neighbourhoods suit which kind of trip.
Around Rapallo the options include Seaview Studio in the center of Rapallo, Flat 28M² 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom - Rapallo, Flexyrent Rapallo - Stazione and Flat 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms - Rapallo.
Around Casa the options include Casa Platone, Casa Vittoria, Casa Sibelius - Bettina 57 and La Casa Del Pescatore.
Around Albergo the options include Albergo Hotel Bandoni and Albergo la Piazzetta.
Elsewhere in the city you will also find Betti 21, Magnolia, Il Centrale, BB Villa Devoto, Blue Seagull by Portofinohomes, Italia 22, Numero5, Studio Mazzini 33, Flat 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms - Rapallo, Inside Rapallo Apt, Flexyrent Rapallo - Centro, Aparthotel 4 Stars Rapallo, Vicolo Corto Casa Sissi and Hotel Vesuvio.