Making the most of Portofino
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships cannot dock in this port, so passengers are tendered ashore to the town centre. Some larger ships visiting the area must instead tender off Santa Margherita's coast, a little over two miles south, before passengers are bussed into Portofino.
In slightly rough conditions, the tender operation will not run. Ships scheduled to anchor at Portofino are therefore often diverted to Genoa.
A shuttle bus reaches Santa Margherita Ligure every 20 minutes.
On Italy's Ligurian coast, Portofino is a fairy-tale hamlet.
See Portofino's cruise calendar.
A very rich and well-to-do town, Portofino has a yacht harbor, beautiful homes and a magnificent backdrop that make it one of the finest places on the Riviera.
A stroll along the boardwalk to Santa Margherita Ligure is a pleasant start to a visit, at about 2-3 km.
Santurario di San Giorgio lies at the western end of the yacht harbor, where an easy trail climbs the hill through absolutely beautiful scenery. In the Roman period, the sanctuary served two roles: church and observation fortress. Views are spectacular, over the town and sea, boats and yachts in the harbor, and hills covered with flowers, vines and trees. The church and fortress are open daily until 7 p.m.
Castello Brown, a 16th century castle/fort once used to defend the area, is now chiefly a museum with a fantastic view over the harbor and Mediterranean Sea.
Getting around
Take the bus to Santa Margherita and its train station. Regular trains continue to Genua and La Spezia, stopping at most towns on the Riviera.
A boat trip from Portofino's pier can sail around the promontory to Camogli, with its colorful houses, busy little harbor and the region's aquarium, then visit the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. Along the way, the guide identifies fancy villas visible only from the sea.
Food and shopping
Portofino is known for "macrame lace," made by women in the village and surrounding towns using skills taught by their mothers and grandmothers before them.
As at many Italian resorts, the privilege comes at a price: a drink on a terrace with a stunning view may cost 5 times as much as the same drink on the market square. Pane e coperto, for bread and utensils, is an extra charge always added to the lunch or dinner receipt.
Money
Currency: Euro.
Staying connected
Italian is the language spoken.
For Internet service in Portofino, ask one of the hotels whether you can buy time on their connection. Otherwise, go to Santa Margherita Ligure for an Internet cafe or public library, and bring your passport for identification.
Opening Hours and
Opening Hours and Holidays: Across Italy, most shops and businesses open Monday to Saturday from around 8am until 1pm, then from about 4pm until 7pm. Many close on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings; in the south, the day can begin and end an hour later. Some northern businesses work a 9am-5pm day to facilitate international dealings. Traditionally, everything apart from bars and restaurants shuts on Sunday, although most towns have a pasticceria open in the mornings; Sunday opening is becoming more common in large cities and tourist areas.