10 Best Things to Do in Portofino, Italy

Portofino is one of the most photographed towns on the Italian Riviera, and it truly earns the hype! This tiny fishing village has pastel houses stacked around a small harbor, a hilltop castle, and views that explain why so many celebrities and yacht owners have made it their favorite summer stop.

It’s also super small, which makes it a perfect day trip destination from Santa Margherita Ligure, Genoa, or even from a Mediterranean cruise!

In this guide, I’m covering the best things to do in Portofino, from the postcard perfect Baia Cannone to the hike up to Castello Brown, so you know exactly where to spend your time in this pretty little town.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.

No time to read now?

Pin it for later!

Good to Know Before Visiting Portofino

🚂 How to get to Portofino

Portofino has no train station, so first you’ll need to take a train to Santa Margherita Ligure. From there, you can continue either with a ferry or a bus (make sure to buy the correct ticket as you need a specific one for Portofino!).

⏰ How much time do you need in Portofino?

Since Portofino is so small, a few hours is usually enough to see the highlights like La Piazzetta, Castello Brown, and Chiesa di San Giorgio. If you want to add a swim at Baia Cannone or take a boat tour, plan for closer to a full day. Most people visit as a day trip rather than staying overnight, since accommodation in town is limited and expensive.

📅 When is the best time to visit Portofino?

Late spring and early fall are the sweet spot, especially May, June, and September, when the weather is still warm but the summer crowds have thinned out. July and August bring the most visitors, so early mornings are your best bet for a quieter experience.

🏨 Where to stay in Portofino

If you want to stay overnight, book in advance as hotels in Portofino are quite limited. Belmond Splendido is the most iconic one but it comes with a steep price tag. Hotel Piccolo Portofino and Albergo Nazionale are also great options right in town, with a slightly more relaxed price tag.

For more budget-friendly stays, basing yourself in Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli makes more sense, both are just a short ferry or bus ride away and offer a much wider range of places to stay.

Best Things to Do in Portofino, Italy

1. Swim or relax at Baia Cannone

If you’re looking for a good swimming spot in Portofino, you can’t miss Baia Cannone.

You’ve probably already seen this view all over social media, it’s the most iconic one in town! It’s a small pebble beach tucked under a few colorful villas, and the view alone makes it worth the visit.

To get there, walk about 5 to 10 minutes from the bus stop. Look for the Spiaggia Libera sign on the side of the road, then follow the staircase down to access the beach.

Best part? It’s completely free, which is a very unusual thing in Portofino!

2. Climb up to Castello Brown

Perched on a hill above the harbor, Castello Brown is a must if you want the best view in Portofino!

Getting there means a short but steep climb, so wear proper shoes. Once inside, you’ll wander through gardens, old photographs, and rooms that trace the town’s history back centuries, from its days as a private residence to a museum today.

But the real reason to come up here is the view! Looking down over the harbor and the sea from the top, it’s easy to see why this makes almost every list of the best things to do in Portofino.

3. Visit Chiesa di San Giorgio

On your way back to town from Castello Brown, I recommend stopping at Chiesa di San Giorgio.

It’s dedicated to Saint George, the town’s patron saint, and legend has it that relics of the saint are kept inside. The church has been rebuilt more than once over the centuries, including after damage during World War II.

Even if you’re not there for a service, it’s worth a quick look from outside. Its position above the harbor makes it one of the prettiest spots to pause for photos in Portofino.

4. Head out on a boat tour

One of the best ways to see Portofino is from the water, and a boat tour is an easy way to do it!

Most tours leave right from the harbor and take you along the coastline, past Baia Cannone, the lighthouse, and the villas tucked into the cliffs. Some tours like this one go all the way to San Fruttuoso Abbey, which is only reachable by boat or on foot.

If you’re only have a few hours in Portofino, booking a 3-hour boat and walking tour with pesto cooking & lunch is a great option! It leaves from Santa Margherita Ligure and round-trip ferry tickets to Portofino are also included in the price.

5. Have lunch at La Terrazza

For a meal with a view, La Terrazza at Belmond Splendido is hard to beat.

Perched above the harbor, the restaurant looks out over the whole bay while you eat, making it one of the most scenic spots in Portofino for lunch. The menu leans into Ligurian classics, with fresh seafood and pasta dishes done well.

It’s on the pricier side, so this is more of a treat than an everyday lunch spot. But for the setting alone, it’s worth booking a table at least once during your visit.

6. Wander around the main square

Piazza Martiri dell’Ovietta is the main square aka the heart of Portofino, and it’s where you’ll end up no matter what else you do in town.

Surrounded by pastel buildings, cafes, and boutiques, this small square sits right at the edge of the harbor, facing the boats and yachts docked along the water. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee or a drink and just watch the town go by.

7. Explore the narrow streets

Beyond the harbor, Portofino has a handful of narrow streets that are worth wandering through.

Lined with colorful buildings, small shops, and quiet corners, these streets give you a different side of Portofino than the busy waterfront. It only takes a few minutes to walk through them all, but they’re a nice way to slow down and see the town beyond the main square.

Keep an eye out for small details along the way, like flower-covered balconies and old doorways, they’re easy to miss if you’re rushing through!

8. Grab a coffee at Dolce & Gabbana Caffe

Right on the harbor, Dolce & Gabbana Caffe is one of the most photographed spots in Portofino.

The cafe is decked out in the brand’s signature print, with bold patterns covering everything from the cushions to the umbrellas. It’s a fun stop for a coffee or a drink, even if you’re just there for the photo!

Keep in mind it’s on the pricier side, like most spots right on the harbor, but the setting makes it worth at least one visit.

9. Explore Museo del Parco

Museo del Parco is an open-air sculpture museum set into terraced gardens near the harbor.

The park was once the private garden of Baron von Mumm, and it’s filled with rare plants and camellias alongside more than a hundred contemporary sculptures from artists around the world.

There’s a small fee to enter but it’s a nice detour if you want a break from the busier harbor area, and it’s also one of the quirkiest things to do in Portofino.

10. Visit Chiesa Parrocchiale del Divo Martino

Right by the bus stop near La Piazzetta, Chiesa del Divo Martino is worth a quick look on your way through.

Dating back to the 12th century, the church is dedicated to San Martino di Tours and built in a Romanesque Lombard style, with a striped facade that stands out against the pastel buildings around it. Step inside and it’s a different story, gold detailing, marble, and stained glass windows fill the interior, along with a centuries-old organ.

It only takes a few minutes to visit, so it’s an easy stop whether you’re arriving or leaving Portofino.