Portofino
Painted houses frame the harbor, footpaths cross the hills, and the water below lies inside a protected marine area.
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Portofino is a small village on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, within the Metropolitan City of Genoa. It is known for its harbor and the painted houses along the shore, and boats moor at the Molo Umberto I. The Piazzetta, the small square that opens onto the water, is the busiest meeting point in the village, lined with hotels, cafés and shops. At about 2.53 square kilometers, it is the smallest municipality in the Genoa metropolitan area, so the harbor, the square and the old parish church sit close together.
The whole municipality lies inside the Portofino Regional Natural Park and a protected marine area. Castello Brown rises above the harbor, and the bronze Christ of the Abyss has lain in the inlet at 17 meters since 1954. The only road in is provincial road SP 227, which links the village with Santa Margherita Ligure. The nearest rail station is Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, a local AMT bus runs daily from Santa Margherita, and ferries leave Rapallo's seafront almost hourly, calling at Santa Margherita before Portofino.
Portofino in five
- Arrive by bus or ferry from Santa MargheritaThe road into Portofino is narrow and jams in summer. Take a local bus or a seasonal ferry from Santa Margherita Ligure, and check current timetables before you go.
- Plan a half day, not a nightThe village is small and the harbor can be seen in an hour or two. Stay in Santa Margherita or Camogli for lower prices and more restaurants, then visit Portofino for the afternoon.
- Hike to San Fruttuoso for the abbeyTrails in the Portofino Regional Park lead to the abbey of San Fruttuoso, reached on foot or by boat. Check the trail conditions and boat schedule, as weather can close paths.
- Check parking and traffic rules before you driveParking is limited and costly, and traffic limits can apply in peak periods. Check the municipality's official site, and take public transport if you can.
Need to know
- Airport
- Genoa (GOA), about 45–60 min by car; Pisa about 2 hours
- Getting there
- Train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then bus or ferry
- Getting around
- On foot in the village; trails and boats for the coast
- Best base
- Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli; Portofino for splurges
- Time needed
- A half day to a full day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Quiet, coolJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Quiet, coolFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- MarchRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Mild, quietMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Spring, idealAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, ideal
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Warm, busyJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, crowdedJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, crowded
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Hot, crowdedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, crowded
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Warm, easierSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easier
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Mild, idealOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 282 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, ideal
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Rain riskNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain risk
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Cool, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Portofino, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Portofino
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 62%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Santa Margherita Ligure
12:30 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°12°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°11°35%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu17°13°27%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Fri16°12°49%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sat16°10°47%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sun15°14°37%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 11:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Genoaabout 45 min by train and busItaly's largest port, with a historic center and an aquarium.Read the guide
- Cinque Terreabout 1.5–2 hours by trainFive cliffside villages, a longer day trip.Read the guide
- San Fruttuosoabout 20–30 min by boatAn abbey in a cove reached by boat or a hike.
Before you go to Portofino
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Rules for Portofino, checked
- Italy is part of the Schengen area, so check the entry rules for your passport on the official travel advice site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- The sea around Portofino is a protected marine area; check current diving and fishing rules with the Portofino park before you go in.
- Tipping is optional in Italy; check the bill for a cover charge (coperto) or service charge before you add anything.
Plan around Portofino
Regions, cities and how to link them
Read the guideGenoaA port city with a handsome old center
Read the guideCinque TerreA longer coastal day from here
Read the guideLa SpeziaGateway to Cinque Terre and Portovenere
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakSlow-rail trips on the Ligurian line
Read the guidePortofino FAQ
Is Portofino worth visiting?
Yes for a half day, especially in spring or autumn. It is small and expensive, so do not plan a long stay. Combine it with Santa Margherita, Camogli or a hike.
How do you get to Portofino?
By train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then bus or ferry. Driving is possible but traffic and parking are poor in summer. Check timetables before you set out.
How long do you need in Portofino?
Two to three hours for the harbor, church and castle viewpoint. Add half a day for a hike to San Fruttuoso.
Is Portofino or Cinque Terre better?
Portofino is smaller, calmer and more upscale. Cinque Terre has five villages and long trails. Choose Cinque Terre for hiking and Portofino for a short polished visit.
When is the best time to visit Portofino?
April, May, September and October for good weather and fewer crowds. July and August bring traffic and queues, and winter is quiet with some closures.