Liguria · Italy · Riviera di Levante
A tiny fishing harbour of ochre façades, tucked into a wooded headland. We drive you as close to the village as the day allows, plan your time between the piazzetta, the castle and the sea, and bring you back to Nice in the evening.
Why go
Portofino sits in a narrow inlet at the tip of the headland that shares its name, between the Golfo Paradiso and the Gulf of Tigullio. Tall, painted houses frame the piazzetta around the harbour, where fishing boats moor alongside yachts. Above the village, the pines and holm oaks of the regional nature park run down to the sea, and the waters off the point are a protected marine area. Portofino is best explored on foot, in a morning or over a full day.
Its fame comes at a price: a single narrow coast road links Portofino with Santa Margherita Ligure, and parking is very limited. In season that road is often busy. Depending on the day and the hour, we drop you at the closest permitted point to the village, or in Santa Margherita, from where boats and buses continue to Portofino. We choose the simplest option with you.
Highlights
One day is enough to see them at an easy pace, combining walking and the boat.
01 · THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE
The small cobbled square opens straight onto the harbour, lined with café terraces and painted façades. Sit down for a coffee facing the boats, then climb towards the church of San Giorgio for a view down over the inlet.
02 · THE VIEW OVER THE BAY
This fortress has guarded the harbour entrance for centuries. It takes its name from the British consul who bought it in the 19th century and made it his home. Its terraces and gardens offer one of the finest views over the bay.
03 · THE WALK
An easy path carries on beyond the castle, past villas, gardens and pines, to the lighthouse on Punta Portofino. At the end the view opens over the Gulf of Tigullio and, on a clear day, much of the Ligurian coast.
04 · THE HIDDEN GEM
A Benedictine abbey tucked into a cove with no road access: you arrive by boat or on foot along the park's trails. In the bay lies the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue placed underwater in 1954.
05 · THE STARTING POINT
An elegant seaside town at the head of the gulf, with its harbour, villas and the park of Villa Durazzo. The day often starts here: a boat or bus to Portofino, and a calmer setting for lunch or an overnight stay.
A typical day
An example programme, adjusted to each request: times, stops and boat options are agreed with you before departure.
08:00 · NICE
Saloon or van depending on your group, water on board, motorway along the Riviera dei Fiori and then the Ligurian coast to the Gulf of Tigullio.
11:30 · SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE
Depending on the day's traffic, we drop you at Santa Margherita harbour for the boat, or at the closest permitted point to Portofino.
12:00 – 16:30 · PORTOFINO
The piazzetta, Castello Brown and the lighthouse path, lunch overlooking the harbour, then a boat in season to San Fruttuoso if the sea allows.
17:00 · RETURN
No bus or boat timetable to watch on the way back: you leave when you are ready, within the limit agreed together.
20:30 · NICE
Possible variation: a stop in Camogli on the way out, or a later return to enjoy Portofino harbour at the end of the day.
The road from Nice
Nice
Departure
Sanremo
Riviera dei Fiori
Genoa
Optional stop
Rapallo
Motorway exit
Santa Margherita Ligure
Possible drop-off
Portofino
Arrival
Practical information
A single narrow coast road from Santa Margherita. Parking is very limited and traffic often heavy in season: drop-off at the closest permitted point or in Santa Margherita.
From spring to autumn, boats link Santa Margherita, Portofino, San Fruttuoso and Camogli. Sailings depend on the weather and sea conditions.
The village is explored on foot, with a few climbs to the church and the castle. The park trails to San Fruttuoso are more demanding: bring good shoes and water.
April to June and September to October for soft light and fewer people. In July and August, set off early. On 23 April, the feast of San Giorgio fills the piazzetta.
Staying in Portofino or Santa Margherita? Send us the address: we plan the drop-off as close as possible and the last stretch with your suitcases.
Italy is in the Schengen Area, but bring a valid identity document for every passenger.
Our options
TRANSFER
From Nice or the airport to your hotel in Portofino or Santa Margherita, luggage included, with drop-off at the closest permitted point.
Price per vehicle, on quotation
MOST REQUESTED
A return trip in one day, a driver at your disposal and a programme planned with you between Portofino, San Fruttuoso and Santa Margherita.
Price per vehicle, on quotation
STAY
Two days or more with Portofino, Camogli, Genoa or the Cinque Terre, nights on site and every transfer organised.
Price per vehicle, on quotation
Just need a transfer?
For a one-way or return trip without sightseeing, the route page covers pick-up, luggage and booking.
Frequently asked questions
Another question? Message us on WhatsApp and we will reply with a programme and a quotation.
Allow about 3 h 20 for 233 km, depending on traffic on the Ligurian motorway and on the coast road after Santa Margherita.
The heart of the village is pedestrian and the access road is often congested in season. We drop you at the closest permitted point, or in Santa Margherita Ligure to continue by boat or bus.
Yes, it is our most requested option. Allow nearly 7 hours of driving in total: with an early start, the day remains comfortable.
No road leads there: you go by boat from Portofino, Santa Margherita or Camogli in season, or on foot along the park trails. We shape the programme around your choice.
The price is set per vehicle, not per person, according to the duration, the number of passengers and the stops. Send us your date on WhatsApp for a quotation.
Yes, as a stop on the way or over a stay of several days. We adjust the programme to keep enough time on site.
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Combine with
Your day in Portofino
Number of passengers, your hotel in Nice, a taste for boats or walking: we come back to you with a programme suited to the day's traffic and a price per vehicle.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, published by their authors under free licences.
