17 Things To Do In Portofino Italy: Where To Eat And Explore

Every time I go to a new part of Italy, I think that’s the one I love the most. I love every part of Italy so much that I still can’t pick a favorite city, ha! We spent 4 nights in Portofino, Italy this summer, and I’m still thinking about that little harbor with all the colorful houses. If Portofino is on your list, I put together our favorite things to do in Portofino Italy, plus where to eat, what to explore and how to get there. Think of it as my little Portofino Italy travel guide, with the best things to do in Portofino, what we loved and what I’d add next time.

What Is Portofino Known For

Portofino is a tiny fishing village on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, in northwest Italy, about 45 minutes from Genoa. If you pull up a Portofino Italy map, you’ll see it sits at the tip of a little peninsula, with the harbor tucked into a small bay. The name comes from the Latin Portus Delphini, which means port of the dolphin. Today it’s known for its colorful houses, yachts in the harbor, designer shopping and some of the prettiest views in Italy. It’s tiny, so you can walk the whole village in about 20 minutes, but there’s so much more to do here than people expect. If you’re wondering what to do in Portofino, keep reading.

1. Take A Private Boat To Cinque Terre

This was one of our favorite memories from Portofino with Matt and the girls. Our hotel concierge recommended a great boat company, and they took us down the coast to the villages of Cinque Terre. It was so memorable and so beautiful. Being out on the Mediterranean with that breeze hitting your face, especially in the summertime, is one of the most fun and beautiful things we’ve done. Cinque Terre is made up of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. We got off the boat at each stop to walk around and explore, and Corniglia, which sits high up on the cliffs, we saw from the water. We had drinks in one village and dessert in another, and we tried to experience something new at every stop. Our private boat tour was about 8 to 9 hours, and you can easily see it all in one full day. I highly recommend it. Boat rental in Portofino, Italy is easy to set up, so ask your hotel or book ahead in summer.

2. Walk Around The Piazzetta And Harbor

The Piazzetta is the little square right on the water, and it’s the heart of Portofino. The weather was so nice while we were there, and walking around the harbor with all the boats and colorful houses was one of my favorite parts of the trip. There are so many cute little shops all around the harbor (which is my favorite part of walking around Italy, finding random boutiques and little shops, and I highly recommend it). I can’t tell you how much we loved it, and the girls loved it too.

3. Go For Lunch Or Sunset Drinks At Belmond Hotel Splendido

If you’re not staying at Belmond Hotel Splendido, make sure you go for lunch or a sunset drink. It’s a must go. Lunch at La Terrazza, the hotel’s restaurant, and sunset drinks on the terrace are both so lovely. We had lunch there, and the burrata and the fresh pasta were so good. If you are staying in Portofino, Belmond Hotel Splendido is breathtaking. Of course, it’s pricey, and there’s a reason for it. It’s not just the beautiful views, it’s the exceptional service and everything else that comes with this hotel. Grabbing a drink on the terrace while you look out over the harbor is unbelievable. Every part of it feels like Italian romance.

4. See The Dolce & Gabbana Villa

Look up at the green hillside on the point that runs out toward the lighthouse, and you’ll see Villa Olivetta, the Dolce & Gabbana villa. It’s private, so you can only see it from the outside, but it’s so fun to spot. When we were at Belmond Hotel Splendido, they told us the Dolce & Gabbana villa was right across from the hotel, and we could see it from there. You can also see it from a boat as you leave the harbor, or on the walk to the lighthouse. And if you want a little Dolce & Gabbana moment you can actually walk into, the historic Caffè Excelsior right on the harbor is now run by Dolce & Gabbana, so it’s a fun stop for a coffee or a photo.

5. Shop The Designer Boutiques

Portofino may be tiny, but it has a bunch of designer boutiques, like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli and Missoni. Most of them are on the walk from the pier into the Piazzetta, so you’ll pass them all just by walking around the harbor. Some brands, like Pucci and Loewe, only open for the summer season. The shops are small and so pretty, and it never feels overwhelming like shopping in a big city. Even if you’re only window shopping, it’s so much fun.

6. Shop The Narrow Streets For Local Finds

Once you walk away from the harbor, the streets get so narrow and cute, and they’re full of local shops. Since Portofino is right on the water, one of my favorite things was all the swimsuits and bikinis, especially in summer, along with hats and beach bags. They have nothing but cute Italian things, and you can find anything you like. I loved that so many of the pieces felt different from what you see back home. Calzoleria Mingo on Via Roma is a family shoe shop that’s been making shoes since 1936, and you’ll find lots of linen, ceramics and local goodies along Via Roma and Calata Marconi. Shopping in Portofino, Italy was one of our favorite ways to spend an afternoon.

7. Visit The Church Of San Giorgio

A short walk up from the harbor takes you to the Church of San Giorgio, and unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to visit this beauty. We thought 4 nights would be plenty, but the girls and I love to shop more than anything in Italy, all three of us. Some days we went back to the same shops just to find something extra we didn’t get the day before, ha! So the church never made it onto our schedule. We heard from so many people that the view from up there is one of the prettiest in Portofino, with the whole harbor on one side and the open sea on the other, so put it on your to do list. I already have it on mine for next time.

8. Explore Castello Brown

Castello Brown sits right above the harbor, and it’s one of the top things to see in Portofino Italy. It’s so beautiful, with some of the prettiest views in town. It’s also one of the top photo spots in Portofino. If you love taking pictures with picture perfect views, this is a great place to go, and not just for the photos, because seeing it in person is even better. The castle was originally built as a fortress to protect the harbor, and it got its name from Montague Yeats Brown, a British consul who bought it in the 1860s and turned it into a home. Today you can walk through the rooms, the gardens and the terraces, and every corner looks out over the colorful houses and the boats in the harbor below. It’s an easy walk up from the Piazzetta, and you pass the Church of San Giorgio on the way, so you can see both in one trip. There’s a small entrance fee, and I’d go in the late afternoon, when the light over the harbor is so pretty.

9. Walk To The Portofino Lighthouse

The walk to the Portofino Lighthouse, or Faro di Portofino, only takes about 20 to 30 minutes along a shaded path with the sea right next to you. At the end there’s a little bar where you can sit with a drink, watch the sunset or just rest for a bit after all that walking. It’s so pretty up there. I usually like busier places with more people around, so I preferred being near the harbor, but this is a beautiful spot if you’d like something a little quieter, away from the harbor crowd.

10. Take A Boat To San Fruttuoso Abbey

San Fruttuoso is a small abbey tucked into a little cove, and you can only get there by boat or on foot. There’s a little pebble beach right in front of it, and nearby is the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue under the water that snorkelers and divers love. The ferry from Portofino makes this an easy half day trip if you want to do it that way. We didn’t take the ferry, our boat guy took us there, and it was amazing. If you’d rather hike, there’s also a trail from Portofino, but it’s a longer walk with lots of ups and downs, so wear comfy shoes.

11. Spend A Morning At Paraggi Beach

Portofino doesn’t have a beach in the village itself, so Paraggi is where most people go. It’s a small cove with the most beautiful turquoise water, and it’s just a short walk from town. It’s stunning in every season, but in summer the spots get booked really fast, since most of the beach is beach clubs with loungers and umbrellas. Go early in the morning so you can get a good spot and enjoy it before the crowds come in.

12. Have Champagne Or A Spritz With A View

Sitting by the water with a glass of champagne and that view is one of my favorite things about Portofino. We loved stopping for a drink in the middle of the day, and having champagne at lunch while looking out over the harbor felt so special. If champagne isn’t your thing, order a spritz, the classic Italian drink, and enjoy the little snacks that come with it, usually chips and olives. In the evening, aperitivo around 6 or 7 p.m. is one of my favorite Italian traditions, and the sunset in Portofino is unbelievable. Lunch or sunset, it’s one of those moments where you just sit there, look at the water and feel so grateful to be there.

13. Eat Fresh Pesto And Seafood

I can’t say enough about the food in Portofino. Pesto comes from this part of Italy, so definitely try trofie al pesto while you’re here, and the seafood is so fresh and so good. For the best restaurants in Portofino, Italy, look for a spot on the Piazzetta with a view, or walk a few streets back for something more relaxed. Some of the most recommended places for seafood and pesto in Portofino are Ristorante Puny, Da I Gemelli and Ristorante Stella, all right on the harbor. Chuflay at Belmond Splendido Mare is known for its gnocchi with pesto and its view of the Piazzetta. Da o Batti is a little spot on a quiet side street, loved for its pesto and grilled fish. Trattoria Tripoli and Taverna del Marinaio are also great for a more casual meal.

14. Hike In Portofino Natural Park

If you’re an outdoor person and love hiking, biking and being in nature, Portofino has a beautiful natural park with trails through the woods and along the cliffs. Some of the trails connect Portofino with San Fruttuoso and Camogli, so you can hike one way and take the boat back. We didn’t end up going. Four nights wasn’t enough to cover every single thing on our list, and this one was on mine, so unfortunately we didn’t get the chance. But if you love nature, this one is for you, so don’t forget to add it to your list.

15. Walk Or Take The Ferry To Santa Margherita Ligure

Santa Margherita is the next town over, and it’s bigger and has a more lively feel than Portofino. You can walk along the coast road or hop on the ferry, and both are so pretty. It’s a nice spot for a slower afternoon with a long lunch, and there’s a lot more shopping here, so plan for that. The town is so cute, with colorful buildings along the water and lots of little cafes and boutiques. You definitely don’t want to miss Santa Margherita while you’re in the area.

16. Take A Day Trip To Camogli

Camogli is a colorful fishing village just around the headland. The tall painted houses lined up along the beach make it one of the prettiest towns on this coast, and it feels a little less touristy than Portofino. If you have time, definitely take a day trip there. There’s so much to do in Portofino and the towns around it. Four nights was enough to see most of what we wanted, but if you want to enjoy every single thing at a slower pace, I’d plan for a few more days.

17. Eat Gelato On Every Corner

The gelato in Portofino is amazing, and I don’t even know how many gelatos we had. There’s a gelato shop on almost every corner, and we stopped at so many of them. You can’t leave Portofino without having gelato, and with all the different flavors, you’ll want to try a new one every day. A cone in your hand while you walk around the harbor is one of the best parts of the day.

How To Get To Portofino Italy

The closest airport to Portofino is Genoa, about an hour away by car. Milan is about two and a half hours away. There’s no train station in Portofino, so most people take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure and then hop on a bus, taxi or ferry for the last little stretch. Parking in Portofino is very limited and expensive, so I’d skip driving into town if you can. When you travel to Portofino in summer, the ferries from Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Camogli are the easiest and prettiest way to arrive.

Is Portofino Italy Worth Visiting

If you’re asking if Portofino Italy is worth visiting, my answer is absolutely yes, with a big capital YES. I’d plan to stay at least 3 to 4 nights, because anything less and you’re going to miss a lot of it. It’s not a giant city like Paris or London, but Portofino and the charming towns and villages around it are something you don’t want to rush through. Many people stop by Portofino for a few hours on a cruise ship, and that’s another way to see it. But if you want the real Portofino experience, plan for a minimum of 3 to 4 nights. That gives you time for a boat day to Cinque Terre, slow mornings at the harbor, sunset aperitivo and a day trip or two to Santa Margherita or Camogli.

Bottom Line

There are so many beautiful places in Italy. I really wanted to go to the Amalfi Coast, and for the past several years, every time Matt brought up Portofino, I’d say, let’s go to Amalfi. I’m so, so happy we decided to go to Portofino, and hopefully within the next year or so we’ll make it to the Amalfi Coast too. Portofino is a must see if you want the full Italy experience, and I highly recommend it. It’s a great trip for couples, families with kids, solo travelers and girls’ trips. Portofino Italy hotels book up fast in summer, so if you’re planning a Portofino Italy vacation, plan ahead. I hope this helps you plan your trip, and that you love it as much as we did when you visit Portofino Italy.

Portofino Italy FAQ

How Many Days Do You Need In Portofino?

I’d plan for at least 3 to 4 nights. That gives you time to enjoy the harbor, take a boat day to Cinque Terre and visit nearby towns like Santa Margherita and Camogli without rushing.

Is Portofino Expensive?

Portofino can be pricey, especially the hotels and the restaurants right on the Piazzetta. But walking the harbor, the views, the lighthouse walk and gelato don’t cost much, and staying in Santa Margherita or Rapallo can be easier on your budget.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Portofino?

May, June and September are lovely, with warm weather and fewer crowds. July and August are the busiest and the most expensive, but the water is so nice for swimming and the boat days are so much fun.

Is Portofino Good For Families?

Yes. Our girls loved the boat day, the shopping and all the gelato. It’s small and easy to walk, so it works really well with kids.

How Do You Get From Portofino To Cinque Terre?

The easiest and most fun way is by boat, either a private boat or the seasonal ferries that leave from Portofino and Santa Margherita. You can also take the train from Santa Margherita Ligure.