Chic retreat for the international jet set, Portofino charms with its sea views and pocket-sized harbor. Technicolor former fishermen’s houses today host exclusive boutiques and restaurants with al fresco tables overlooking the protected waters of the surrounding marine reserve. Travelers explore the town and surrounding promontory on foot as far as San Fruttuoso or set off to skirt the coastline between Portofino and Santa Margarita by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or boat—often stopping to swim and snorkel in the pristine Paraggi Bay.
Portofino is a small coastal village that’s mostly pedestrianized; as such, it’s difficult to park or drive through. A nice way to get there is to leave your car at the cheaper parking lots at Santa Margherita or Rapallo and take the boat to Portofino. Alternatively, take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure, and then a taxi or a public bus for the 15-minute journey to Portofino. Once there, everything is reachable on foot.
The village relies on tourism, so many restaurants and shops are closed in winter. By Easter, the place livens up, and summer is a great time to visit with balmy temperatures and cooler breezes coming in from the sea. A big event to plan for is the Zegna Trophy in May, when yachts converge on the town for the annual regatta.
If you’re looking for knockout Portofino views to fill your social media feed, head up the hill to Castello Brown, setting of Elizabeth von Arnim’s The Enchanted April novel, and the wedding reception venue of Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker. The 10-minute hike up the cobblestone path is steep, but the sea views from the castle gardens make the effort worthwhile.
