Portofino travel guide Holiday rentals - villas & apartments to rent In Portofino, Liguria
Portofino is an ancient, sophisticated and beautiful coastal village south-east of Genoa looking on to the sparkling waters of the Ligurian Sea. Famous for its picturesque harbour, brightly coloured houses and the 16th century Castello fortress, Portofino attracts A-list visitors from around the world.
The central square known as the "Piazzetta” faces the harbour and is a popular place for the evening "passeggiata" before heading to one of the excellent restaurants for some alfresco dining. From the piazza, narrow cobbled alleys laced with shops, cafes and gelaterias wind their way up one of the foothills of the Maritime Alps.
| At a glance... | |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10+ |
| Historical sites | ✔ |
| Vineyard & wine tours | ✔ |
| Spa & wellness | ✔ |
| Markets | ✔ |
| Family friendly | ✔ |
| Hillside walks | ✔ |
| Watersports | ✔ |
| Car recommended | ✔ |
| Nearest beach | Paraggi (1.5km) |
| Nearest major airport | Genoa (45km) |
| Nearest train station | Santa Margherita (5km) |
The Ligurian climate in this mountainous part of the Italian Riviera is perfect for growing fruit, vegatables and aromatic herbs and this is what you will find in abundance. A paradox that a coastal region is not overrun with seafood restaurants but the Ligurian cuisine was shaped by the returning sailors to the port of Genoa whom, after months at sea, simply wanted to eat anything but fish. Liguria's most famous dish is pesto made from fresh basil which is grown everywhere and there are special pasta dishes local to the area such as "corzeti" - fresh pasta shaped like coins and coloured with tomato and spinich.
Portofino enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year. During the warm summer months, temperatures can reach into the low 30s whereas during winter, it can get chilly with over night temperatures droppong below zero.
Featured Portofino villas
The classy town of Portofino offers a wide selection of self catering holiday rental accommodation from luxurious villas on the outskirts to cosy town centre apartments around the main piazza. Renting a Portofino villa or holiday home can be the ideal base for exploring the surrounding area of the Cinque Terre and are perfect for families, friends and groups. Holiday rentals provide the freedom, flexibility and space to do what you want, when you want - home from home.
See all rentalsThings to see and do in Portofino
Portofino and the surrounding area is full of interesting villages, historic sites and some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy that hug the breathtaking coastline of the area known as the Cinque Terre. A few suggestions...
| Popular Attractions | |
|---|---|
| View the harbour from Castello Brown | ✔ |
| Abbey of San Fruttoso di Capodimonte | ✔ |
| Church of San Giorgio | ✔ |
| Day trip to Genoa | ✔ |
| Kayak tour around the hidden coves | ✔ |
| Galleria d'Arte Portofino | ✔ |
| Chiesa di San Martino | ✔ |
| Boat trip along the spectacular coast | ✔ |
| Piazza Martiri Dell'Olivetta | ✔ |
| Day trip to Lucca (140km) | ✔ |
Our view on Portofino
A must see town on the Ligurian coast oozing charm and character and perfectly positioned for exploring the rest of the local villages and beaches in the Cinque Terre. Staying in a Portofino holiday rental is the best way to experience the local area as it provides the freedom and flexibility to tour the stunning Ligurian coast on the Italian Riviera.
