Jhon

JD

Logout

Sign up
Get the app

Ready for take off? Just create an account and we’ll get you booked!

Start by providing your email address

Email address is required in valid format.

Welcome back!
Ready for take off?

Input your email address for your account.

Email address is required in valid format.

Need an account? Create account

Verification code

We have sent an SMS with the verification code to

Verification in progress ...

Email address is required in valid format.

SMS icon Code sent to phone via SMS
Resend verification code Resend in s.
Loader

One moment please

Welcom

You have successfully logged in to your account. You can continue your search.

300+ properties
Filter icon
Sort icon Sort arrow icon
No search results icon

Oops... no properties found.

No results were found for your search and filter. Try changing your filter data

About Hotels in Portofino

Portofino is one of the Italian Riviera's most captivating destinations, a tiny fishing village turned byword for effortless elegance. Visitors come for the vividly painted houses reflected in the harbour, the Castello Brown perched above the bay, the Baroque church of San Giorgio, and the boat trips out to the marine protected area of Portofino Natural Marine Reserve. The local seafood - freshly caught and served with Ligurian pesto and focaccia - is reason enough to linger.

Accommodation in Portofino itself centres on the exclusive harbourside, where a handful of celebrated luxury hotels command front-row views of the bay, while the neighbouring hillside village of Santa Margherita Ligure offers a wider range of hotels at a gentler pace. The village is best explored on foot, and water taxis connect the surrounding coves and coastal villages with ease.

Where to Stay in Portofino

Portofino Harbourside

The iconic heart of Portofino, ideal for first-time visitors. Steps from the piazzetta, the waterfront cafes, and boat departures for coastal excursions. Exclusive and atmospheric, with unrivalled views of the famous painted harbour.

Castello Brown & Hillside

The elevated hillside above the harbour offers privacy and sweeping panoramas over the bay. Close to Castello Brown and the trails leading to the Portofino lighthouse, perfect for travellers seeking seclusion and dramatic scenery.

Santa Margherita Ligure

A lively and charming town just a short drive or water taxi ride from Portofino. Broader choice of hotels, excellent restaurants, a bustling market, and a beautiful seafront promenade. A practical and characterful base for the whole peninsula.

Paraggi

A quiet, sheltered cove nestled between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino village. Renowned for its clear turquoise waters and tranquil atmosphere, this is the quieter, more relaxed option for those who want the Portofino experience at a slower pace.

Airport and Transport Guide

The nearest major airport to Portofino is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA), situated approximately 35 kilometres to the west. From Genoa, visitors can take a train from Genova Brignole station to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, a journey of around 30 to 40 minutes, with services running throughout the day and into the late evening.

Portofino itself has no cars permitted in the village, so travel within the area is on foot, by water taxi, or by local bus. The Tigullio bus service connects Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino, and a single ticket costs around €2. Water taxis operate along the Ligurian coast and can be booked from the harbour. Taxis from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino cost approximately €25 to €35. Ride-hailing apps have very limited availability in this part of Liguria.

Tips for Finding the Best Hotel Deal in Portofino

  • Book at least 8 to 10 weeks ahead for stays during the Portofino Film Festival in summer or the Regata Storica, when rooms fill extremely quickly.
  • Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo offer noticeably lower nightly rates than Portofino village itself, with regular bus and boat connections to the harbour.
  • Look for hotels offering breakfast inclusion, as Portofino's waterfront cafés and restaurants are among the most expensive in Liguria for a morning meal.
  • Choose free-cancellation rates where possible, as summer weather and event schedules in Portofino can shift, making flexible bookings a practical safeguard.
  • Weekday stays from Monday to Thursday tend to be cheaper than weekends, when day-trippers and yacht visitors drive up demand at nearby accommodation.
  • Booking refundable rates well in advance and monitoring prices to rebook if they drop can secure significant savings during Portofino's busy high season.

When to Visit Portofino for Lower Prices

Winter (Low Season)

November to February sees Portofino at its quietest, with many restaurants and boutiques closed and the village at its most peaceful. Cool, occasionally wet weather keeps visitors away, and mid-range hotels in the area start from around £80 to £130 per night.

Spring (Value Season)

March to May brings mild temperatures, blooming hillsides, and the reopening of seasonal restaurants and boat services. Crowds remain manageable and prices are moderate, making spring an excellent time to enjoy the Ligurian coastline without summer's intensity.

Summer (High Season)

June to August is peak season, with the harbour packed with yachts, the lanes full of visitors, and hotel prices at their highest. Temperatures regularly exceed 28°C. Early booking is essential, and waterfront restaurants require reservations well in advance.

Autumn (Value Season)

September and October offer warm sea temperatures, golden light, and noticeably fewer crowds than July and August. Prices begin to ease after the summer peak, and the village regains a more relaxed character, making autumn a rewarding and comfortable time to visit.

Popular Areas to Stay in Portofino

Portofino Village Centre

The iconic harbour front places you steps from the Piazzetta, the Church of San Giorgio, and the colourful painted facades that define Portofino. Expect premium rates for unbeatable convenience.

Paraggi

A sheltered cove just ten minutes on foot from the village, Paraggi offers calmer surroundings, a small sandy beach, and slightly more accessible prices while remaining firmly within the Portofino experience.

Santa Margherita Ligure

The nearest proper town to Portofino, linked by boat and bus, Santa Margherita offers a wider choice of hotels, good restaurants, and the most practical base for those here on professional or conference business.

Rapallo

A lively Ligurian resort with a medieval castle, a broad seafront promenade, and strong rail connections. Rapallo appeals to independent travellers seeking a creative, local atmosphere at noticeably lower nightly rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portofino village itself is the most atmospheric choice, steps from the harbour and the Piazzetta, though prices are among the highest on the Italian Riviera. Paraggi suits those wanting a quieter, beach-adjacent stay. Santa Margherita Ligure offers the best range of mid-market hotels and is the most practical base for business travellers, with regular boats and buses to Portofino. Rapallo provides the most affordable options with easy rail access.
True budget accommodation within Portofino village is extremely limited, but Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo offer guesthouses and smaller hotels from roughly £80 to £150 per night. Prices drop considerably in the off-season, particularly from November through February, when many properties reduce rates significantly. Travelling midweek rather than at weekends also produces savings, as weekend demand from day-trippers and short-break visitors keeps rates elevated throughout the warmer months.
Paraggi is the most family-friendly spot, with its calm, sheltered beach ideal for children and easy walking access to the village. Santa Margherita Ligure also works well for families, offering the Civic Museum of Archaeology and local parks along the seafront promenade. Portofino village itself, while beautiful, has narrow paths and very little flat open space, and its restaurant-lined Piazzetta can feel crowded and unsuitable for young children during the busy summer season.
Rates are lowest between November and February, when the Riviera quiets considerably and many smaller properties close entirely. Midweek stays are reliably cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday arrivals throughout the year. Visitors should avoid the peak weeks around the Portofino Boat Show in Rapallo each September, the Easter holidays, and the Ligurian Riviera summer high season from late June to mid-August, all of which push prices to their annual peak across the area.
Portofino is an excellent choice for a short break, with two to three nights giving you enough time to savour its famous painted harbour, hike the coastal trail to Punta del Capo, and explore the surrounding Ligurian villages. Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport is the nearest gateway, roughly an hour away by road, making the journey from most European cities straightforward.
Yes, many Portofino hotels offer free cancellation rates, and most booking sites let you filter by this option at the search stage. During peak summer weeks in July and August, and over Easter, it is worth securing a longer cancellation window well in advance. Fully flexible rates typically carry a 10 to 15 per cent premium over non-refundable tariffs, but the peace of mind is often worthwhile.
Belmond Hotel Splendido is arguably the most celebrated address in Portofino, perched on the hillside with sweeping bay views, while its sister property Splendido Mare sits directly on the piazzetta. For boutique character and a quieter atmosphere, the lanes between the harbour and the headland hold a handful of charming smaller hotels that offer a more intimate stay without the grand-hotel price tag.
The most direct route is by taxi or private transfer from Genoa Airport, taking roughly 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic along the coastal road. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train into Genoa Brignole station, then catch a train to Santa Margherita Ligure, from where a local bus or ferry covers the final stretch to Portofino in around 15 to 20 minutes.

Check out more ideas nearby Portofino

Vuelo logo

Every month

3 payments

Total

Every month

4 payments

Total

View at checkout

6 payments

View at checkout

12 payments

Vuelo’s Fair Financing Plans are a regulated credit agreement. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and your ability to obtain credit. 18+, UK residents only. Subject to status. Late fees may apply. T&Cs apply.

How it works

Choose your stay

Choose your payment plan

Different payment plans may be shown depending on the purchase amount and credit score.

Complete your checkout

The amount will be charged based on the payment plan you choose.

Spread the cost of your next trip

Going to
Location search icon
Location search icon Arrow left icon
  • Map pin icon
    Dubai Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Map pin icon
    Tokyo Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
  • Map pin icon
    Agadir Agadir, Souss-Massa, Morocco
  • Map pin icon
    Torquay Torquay, England, United Kingdom
  • Map pin icon
    Sydney Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Map pin icon
    Bali Bali, Indonesia
  • Map pin icon
    Rome Rome, Lazio, Italy
  • Map pin icon
    Zermatt Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland
  • Map pin icon
    Orlando Orlando, Florida, United States of America
  • Map pin icon
    Cape Town Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Close icon
    Nothing found in search results enter another value
Close
Calendar Close
Arrow Data
Continue
Select traveller`s
Icon
Travellers Close
Continue

Download our app to book via a brand of your choice

Download the app
Where from?
Flight search icon
Where to?
Flight search icon
Close
Select traveller`s
Icon
Location search icon Arrow left icon
Close icon
Nothing found in search results enter another value
Calendar Close
Arrow Data
Continue
Passengers Close
Adults (12+ years)
Minus Plus
Children (3 - 17 years)
Minus Plus
Infants (0-2 years w/o seat)
Minus Plus
Cabin Class
Continue

Download our app to book and rent a car

Download the app