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

五月六月九月

Avoid if possible

八月

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.

当地交通

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