Portofino is a small harbour village with pastel houses, luxury boutiques and the Castello Brown, set at the tip of the Portofino promontory.
Portofino lies about 35 km from Genoa. The cheapest route is the Trenitalia regional train from Brignole or Principe to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino (about 35-40 minutes, EUR 4.60 or about $5), followed by the AMT line 782 bus along the coast (EUR 5, about $6) or a short boat trip. The Met Daily ticket at EUR 10 (~$12) also covers line 782 and the Volabus. Golfo Paradiso also runs direct boats from Genoa and Nervi at EUR 16 one way and EUR 26 return (~$18 / ~$30) from late March to mid-October. The village is small and best combined with San Fruttuoso or with Santa Margherita Ligure.
| Distance | 35 km southeast of Genoa |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1 hour by train and bus or boat |
| Getting there | Train (Trenitalia Regionale from Brignole or Principe to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, about 35-40 minutes, EUR 4.60 (~$5)) then AMT line 782 bus (about 20 minutes, EUR 5 (~$6)) or Tigullio boat |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Piazza Martiri dell'Olivetta, 16034 Portofino GE, Italy |
How to get there
- Mode
- Train and bus
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Cost
- EUR 4.60 train + EUR 5 bus (~$5 + ~$6)
- Notes
- AMT line 782 runs from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino; a Met Daily EUR 10 (~$12) also covers it
- Mode
- Train and boat
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Notes
- From Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo with Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio, +39 0185 284670, traghettiportofino.it
- Mode
- Direct boat from Genoa
- Duration
- About 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cost
- EUR 16 one way / EUR 26 return (~$18 / ~$30)
- Notes
- Golfo Paradiso from Porto Antico or Nervi; seasonal; golfoparadiso.it
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Notes
- Via the A12 and Rapallo; parking in Portofino is very limited and costly, so park in Santa Margherita Ligure
Suggested itinerary
- Take a train to Santa Margherita Ligure, board the line 782 bus or a boat to Portofino, walk up to Castello Brown, have coffee on the Piazzetta, then continue on foot or by boat to San Fruttuoso or return to Santa Margherita.
Location
Piazza Martiri dell'Olivetta, 16034 Portofino GE, Italy
44.3033, 9.2094 View on map
Highlights
- Piazzetta and the harbour
- Castello Brown viewpoint
- Church of San Giorgio
- Walks in the Portofino Natural Park
- Boat to San Fruttuoso
Tips for visiting
- Weekends in summer can mean long bus waits and traffic; boats are more reliable
- Prices on the Piazzetta are high, so picnic or eat in Santa Margherita
- Check Castello Brown opening hours and ticket on the official site before going
When to visit
May to June and September; summer weekends are crowded.
Accessibility
The harbour is flat and paved; Castello Brown and the footpaths involve steep climbs and steps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Genoa to Portofino?
Take a regional train to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, then the AMT line 782 bus or a ferry; the journey takes about 1 hour.
Can I walk from Santa Margherita to Portofino?
Yes, a coastal path of about 5 km takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes and is mostly flat or gently sloping.