Portofino is Italy's most exclusive harbour — 500 inhabitants, villas hidden among stone pines, yachts worth tens of millions of euros moored in the small harbour, luxury boutiques surrounding the piazzetta. Not easily accessible by car (the road from Santa Margherita Ligure is narrow, parking almost non-existent and paid), but reachable by boat from Santa Margherita (€5, 20 min), by bus (line 82, €1.50, 20 min from Santa Margherita) or on foot via the trail from Camogli (5km, 2h, the most beautiful route). Santa Margherita Ligure (train from Genoa 30 min, €4.50) is the logistical base — the most elegant seaside town on the Eastern Riviera, with lower prices than Portofino and access to the entire Portofino Regional Natural Park.
The Harbour and Castello Brown
Portofino harbour (the piazzetta with bars, restaurants and boutiques) is the arrival point — the pastel-coloured houses surrounding the small green water mirror are Liguria's most reproduced image. Castello Brown (€5, reached from the piazzetta by a 10 min staircase) is the medieval fortress on the promontory — the terrace view over the harbour, the colourful houses and the open sea is Portofino's most complete. The Portofino lighthouse (1h return from the piazzetta, trail in the Natural Park) crosses scented Mediterranean scrub with continuous sea views. Chiesa di San Giorgio (a few minutes from the piazzetta, free entry) is the most accessible viewpoint — the terraces have harbour views.
Camogli and San Fruttuoso
Camogli (train from Genoa 25 min, €3, or boat from Portofino €10) is Liguria's most authentic fishing village — tall coloured houses on the harbour, still-active fishing boats, the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (12th century) on the promontory. The Red Trail (from Camogli to Portofino via Monte di Portofino, 3h, medium difficulty) is the Natural Park's classic route. San Fruttuoso (only reachable by boat from Camogli €10 or Portofino €8, or on foot from the Red Trail 2h) is one of Liguria's rarities: a 10th-century Benedictine abbey in a rocky cove inaccessible by road. The Madonnina degli Abissi (2.5m bronze statue at 17m depth, placed in 1954 in memory of sailors lost at sea) is visible by diving or from the water with mask and snorkel. The abbey complex (€5) includes the 14th-century cloister and the Doria tower.
Practical tips
Go to Portofino by boat from Santa Margherita (€5, 20 min) — avoid the car, there is no parking
San Fruttuoso (medieval abbey inaccessible by road) is the finest thing in the area — take the boat from Camogli
Camogli is more authentic and cheaper than Portofino — use it as base for the Natural Park
The Red Trail from Camogli to Portofino (3h) is the Eastern Riviera's most beautiful route — hiking shoes mandatory
Prices in Portofino are among Liguria's highest — eat in Camogli or Santa Margherita and come here only for the harbour
Plan your Portofino day trip
Portofino, Camogli and San Fruttuoso — itinerary in 5 minutes.
Plan now
