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Before you go
Your trip to Portofino.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Portofino – Liguria Destination Gênova and Portofino about 36 km from Gênova
How to get there
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Aeroporto di Genova Cristoforo Colombo (GOA) Gênova · 43 km
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Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino Santa Margherita Ligure · 5 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Check before buying. Take the train from Milão to Gênova and then to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino station. Portofino has no station: from Santa Margherita go by bus or by boat, which has more departures in season.
How many days
Half a day is enough for the Piazzetta, the church, the castle and the lighthouse. A full day allows you to include the boat or the trail to San Fruttuoso.
When to go
From April to June and in September and October the weather is usually pleasant for walking and boats have more departures. In July and August the village gets crowded, especially around midday. In winter, from December to February, some shops and boats stop operating.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No —a car is more of a hindrance. Only a narrow road from Santa Margherita reaches Portofino, ending in a paid car park at the village entrance with few spaces and queues on busy days. The usual option is to leave the car in Santa Margherita, or take the train there, and continue by bus or boat.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Portofino
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Morning
Boat from Santa Margherita
Arrive by boat or bus from Santa Margherita. In season, take the boat directly to San Fruttuoso and visit the abbey before it gets busier.
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Afternoon
Piazzetta and lunch
Return to Portofino, have lunch near the port and stroll around the Piazzetta and the alleys behind the colorful houses.
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Late afternoon
San Giorgio, castle and lighthouse
Climb up to the Chiesa di San Giorgio, visit Castello Brown and follow the trail to the Punta del Capo lighthouse, with views over the Golfo del Tigullio.
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Evening
Return to Santa Margherita
Take the bus or the last boat back to Santa Margherita and dine there from around 19:30 or 20:00. Check the time of the last boat.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Portofino?
You can, but it’s not the most practical way. The only road comes from Santa Margherita; it’s narrow and busy and ends at a paid car park at the village entrance that fills on busy days. The most common way is by bus or boat from Santa Margherita.
How to get from Santa Margherita to Portofino?
By bus via the coastal road, or by boat, which has more departures in season from spring to autumn. There are also walking paths through the park. Confirm schedules on the spot.
Can you do a day trip from Gênova?
Yes. From Gênova, the regional train takes you to Santa Margherita Ligure‑Portofino station, and from there you continue by bus or boat. A full day is enough for Portofino and, in season, San Fruttuoso.
Does Portofino have a beach?
The village itself doesn’t have a sandy beach. The nearest is the bay of Paraggi, on the way to Santa Margherita, largely occupied by paid establishments.
Is there a tourist tax?
Yes. A tourist tax is charged on accommodation.