Portofino
A fishing village of four hundred people that the world's yachts come to look at
Portofino is tiny — a harbour, a piazzetta, a row of ochre houses — and is among the most expensive places in Italy. The regional park behind it, and the abbey reachable only by boat or on foot, are what make a visit worthwhile.
Portofino is a natural harbour on a wooded headland on the Ligurian coast, and its permanent population is around four hundred. It was a fishing village, discovered by British and northern European visitors in the late nineteenth century and then by the international set in the 1950s, and it has been a byword for expensive seclusion ever since. The physical village has barely changed, because there is nowhere for it to go: the harbour is enclosed by the hill and protected as a regional park.
What there is to do is pleasantly limited. The Piazzetta at the head of the harbour is for sitting and watching boats; above it, the Chiesa di San Giorgio, the Castello Brown — a fortress turned private house turned museum, with the best view over the harbour — and the lighthouse at the point are a half-hour walk up and well worth it. Shopping is luxury-brand and priced for the clientele.
The better half of the trip is the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino behind the village. San Fruttuoso, a tenth-century abbey in a cove with no road access at all, is reached by boat from Portofino or Camogli, or on foot over the headland in about two hours — and the walk is one of the finest on the Italian coast. Santa Margherita Ligure, ten minutes round the bay, is a proper town with hotels at sane prices and is where most sensible people actually stay.
Where People Live
The Piazzetta & harbour
The whole of the village: the waterfront cafés, the boutiques, the ferry dock and the fishing boats still working between the yachts.
Castello Brown & the lighthouse
The path up and out to the point: the castle, its garden and view, San Giorgio's church, and the Faro at the end.
San Fruttuoso
A cove on the far side of the headland with a Benedictine abbey, reachable only by boat or on foot — and the Christ of the Abyss statue below the water offshore.
Santa Margherita Ligure & Paraggi
Round the bay: the real town with the hotels and the trains, and Paraggi's small green-water beach between the two.
Restaurants & places to go
Bagni Silvano
Seafood, Restaurant · Specialita marinare · 13 Piazza Ventisette Dicembre · bagnisilvano.it
VITaE
Restaurant · Enoteca con cucina Opening hours: Tu-Su 18:00-00:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 4 Piazza Fenice, Chiavari, 16043 · vitaecalicieforchette.it
Ten Restaurants Recco
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-15:00, 18:30-23:00 · 42 Passeggiata Punta Sant'Anna, Recco, 16036 · tenrestaurants.com
Dai Müagetti
Italian, Regional, Cafe · Opening hours: 16:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating · 2 Via Mortola, Camogli, 16032 · muagetti.it
Farina 44
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 19:00-22:30 Features: outdoor seating · 44 Via Rivarola · farina44.com
La Bitta
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We,Th,Fr,Sa,Su 19:00-24:00 Features: vegan options · 99 Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, Chiavari, 16043 · labitta.it
La Manuelina
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Tu 12:00-15:00,20:00-23:00 · 296 Via Roma · manuelina.it
Nauroz
Tex-Mex, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 19:00-23:45; Tu off · 11 Vico dei Cogorno, Chiavari, 16043 · nauroz.com
Gran Cafè Defilla
Cafe · Wikipedia: it:Caffè Defilla · 4 Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, Chiavari
La Baracchetta
Regional, Restaurant · focaccia al formaggio di Recco · 3 Lungomare Marinai d'Italia, 16036
La Bossa
Regional, Restaurant · Enoteca con cucina · 122 Via della Repubblica
Nettuno
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 19:00-24:00; We-Su 12:00-15:00, 19:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 28 Lungomare Vittorio Veneto,… · nettunorapallo.it
Pizza Smile
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: We-Mo 19:00-22:00 · 13 Corso Montevideo · pizzaasportochiavari.it
Azienda Agrituristica "Il Monte"
Restaurant · Un'azienda agricola con camere. Si dorme, si mangia, si cena in un ambiente rustico ma famigliare.
La Cremeria "del Paradiso"
Ice Cream · Gelateria artigianale. Features: step-free access · 4 Piazza Colombo, 16032
Mercato Communale
Food Court · Lunedi
Aroma
Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr,Sa,Su 12:30-14:30, 19:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 2 Lungomare Bettolo, Recco,… · aromarestaurantrecco.it
La Battigia
Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: PH,We-Mo 11:00-14:30,17:30-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 4 Via Venti Settembre, 16031 · labattigiasori.it
Pizza Burger
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 18:00-22:30 Features: takeaway · 2 Piazzale Genova, Rapallo, 16035 · pizzaburger.ordinaincloud.it
Pizzeria Del Ponte
Pizza, Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,19:00-23:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · 11 Via… · pizzeriadelponte.com
Vassilissa
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 19:00-23:00 · 89 Viale Enrico Millo, Chiavari, 16043 · vassilissa.it
Ca del Frate
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 20:00-23:30
El Paso
Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-15:00,19:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating · 54 Via Magenta
L' Arenella
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:30-15:30, 20:00-23:00; We closed · 1 Lungomare dei Naviganti, Zoagli, 16030
La trattoria del pesce
Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th,Fr 19:30-23:00; Sa,Su 12:30-14:30,19:30-23:00 · 192 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Lo Spuntino
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-15:30, 19:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · 172 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi,…
Osteria delle 7 pance
Fish, International, Grill, Seafood, Mediterranean, Friture, Pasta, Italian, Pizza, Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-15:00, 19:00-23:00…
Pizzeria 30 Febbraio
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 19:30-23:00 · 21 Via Giovanni Battista Prandina, Chiavari, 16043
Ristorante Pizzeria Vera Napoli
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-15:00, 19:00-00:00 · 68 Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, Chiavari, 16039
Yugo
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-15:00,18:30-23:00
Fondo
Panini, Meat, Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: 20:00-02:00 · 4 Largo dei Mille, Recco, 16036
Il Patio
Italian, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 26 Via Palestro, 16038 · ilpatiosantamargherita.it
Capo Nord
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 7 Via Rossetti, Santa Margherita Ligure, 16038 · caponordsantamargheritaligure.com
Il Portico Spaghetteria etc...
Pasta, Restaurant · Pasta restaurant · 197a Via Giuseppe Garibaldi · ilporticodicamogli.it
La Buga
Italian, Seafood, Restaurant · Italian/Seafood restaurant · 13 Piazza Milano, Chiavari, 16043 · facebook.com
Mille e una notte
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 31/b Via Aurelia · milleeunanotte.net
Ristorante Taverna del mariano
Italian, Seafood, Restaurant · Italian/Seafood restaurant · tavernadelmarinaio.com
Ristorante Vitturin 1860
Regional, Cheese Focaccia, Restaurant · Regional/Cheese Focaccia restaurant · 48 Via Giustiniani · vitturin1860.it
Trattoria degli Amici
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 2 Via Torre San Gioacchino, Santa Margherita Ligure, 16038 · trattoriadegliamici.eu
Villa Fieschi
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · hotelvillafieschi.com
A modo mio
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,18:00-23:00 · 7 Via Venti Settembre
Follie di focaccia
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-22:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · 4 Piazza della Chiappa
Il Desco dei Fieschi
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-14:30,19:00-23:00 · 42 Piazza della Libertà, Lavagna, 16033
La Cava al mare
Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-14:00,19:00-23:00 · 116 Via San Michele di Pagana
Pomodoro & Basilico
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 18:00-22:30
ZEN Public House
Bistro, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-We, Fr-Su 12:00-26:00
Il Sole e la Luna
Sandwich, Restaurant · Sandwich restaurant · 3 Piazza Santa Caterina, Lavagna, 16033
Civico32
Pizza, Restaurant · Features: step-free access · Piazza Cristoforo Colombo · civico32.it
Poke Musse
Seafood, Italian, Hawaiian, Fast Food, Fast Food · Features: vegetarian options · 74 Lungomare Ammiraglio Bettolo, Recco, 16036 · instagram.com
"Padò" di Mario Giovinazzo
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 18 Via Garibaldi, 16038 · ristorante-pado.it
Il Delfino
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · pitosforo-portofino.it
Il Pitosforo
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · pitosforo-portofino.it
Lievito Padre
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · lievitopadre.it
Ristorante Da Angelo
Regional, Fish, Restaurant · Regional/Fish restaurant · 83 Via San Rocco · ristorantedaangelo.it
Ristorante IL Delfino Verde
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 13 Piazza Milano, 16033 · ildelfinoverde.it
Ristorante Scandellin
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 1 Via Stagno, 16031 · trovavetrine.it
Pizzeria ”da Nello”
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Degustami
Italian, Fish, Pizza, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 141 Via dei Devoto
Golfo Paradiso
Fish, Italian, Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 155 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 16032
La Grotta
Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 61 Via Ravaschieri, Chiavari, 16043
Trattoria del Duca
Pizza, Regional, Italian, Restaurant · Features: delivery, step-free access · 11 Via Gio Bono Ferrari
Xodò Osteria
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 164 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Da Giorgio
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
da Giovanni
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Da Paolo
Fish, Restaurant · Fish restaurant · 14 Via San Fortunato
dal DOC Osteria Bar
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Elite
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 19 Via del Milite Ignoto, Rapallo, 16035
Gli Angeli
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · 23 Corso Italia, 16035
La Lampara
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 12 Via Venti Settembre
La loggia
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 31 Via Aurelia
La Moreia
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
La Prua
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Osteria del Vastato
Regional, Italian, Restaurant · Regional/Italian restaurant · 3 Via Vastato, Recco, 16036
Pizza Export
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · 30 Corso Giuseppe Mazzini, Lavagna, 16033
Ristorante Pizzeria Taverna Azzurra
Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Italian/Pizza restaurant · 20 Lungomare Vittorio Veneto
Spinnaker 2000
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 20 Piazza della Libertà, Lavagna, 16033
Ü Caminettu
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 64 Via G.B. Campodonico
Trattoria Da Pezzi
Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Mo 12:00-14:30,19:00-21:30
ElDolz
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 8:00-12:30,15:30-19:00; Sa 8:00-19:00,21:00-0:00; Su 8:30-19:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free…
Il Galletto
Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Su 10:00-23:00, Jan 01-Mar 01 off
Ristorante Bar Pizzeria Sapore di Mare
Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Mo 12:00-14:45,18:00-23:00 · 18 Lungomare Vittorio Veneto
U Brunzin
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00; Tu off · 39 Via Venti Settembre, Lavagna, 16033
Ristorante Cracco Portofino
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating · 9 Molo Umberto I, Portofino, 16034
Ostaia da ö Sigù
Restaurant · Features: step-free access · 82 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, Camogli, 16032 · ostaiadaosigu.com
Simonetti
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating · 1 Via Avenaggi, Rapallo · simonettigelati.it
Hotel Argentina
Restaurant · restaurant · 56 Via Paraggi a monte, Santa Margherita Ligure, 16038 · hotelargentinaportofino.it
Vino e Cucina
Restaurant · restaurant · vinoecucina1999.com
Creperia di vico dell'oro
Crepes, Restaurant · Features: takeaway
Da Michele
Italian, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Do spadin
Fish, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Fermento
Tapas, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access
Focaccia in Piazzetta
Regional, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating · 8/9 Piazzetta Suffragio
Frittura Marina
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, step-free access · 100 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Kiyomi
Sushi, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options
La Carapina
Ice Cream, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
La Vedetta
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 5 Strada ai campi di tiro, Rapallo, 16035
Le due Querce
Italian, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 30b Salita Sant'Ambrogio
McADAM
Kebab, Fast Food · Features: halal
Pateka
Juice, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 119 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 16032
Pizzeria II Delfino
Pizza, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Pizzeria L'Egizio
Pizza, Restaurant · Features: delivery
Pizzeria Via 20
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: delivery · 27 Via Venti Settembre
Al Cioso
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · Via Miramare, San Bartolomeo di Leivi
Bar Pizzeria
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Bar Trattoria da egidio
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Barcelleria
Steak House, Restaurant · Steak House restaurant
Beppe Achilli
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 29 Via Tommaso Bottaro, Santa Margherita Ligure, 16038
Caffé Rolecha
Italian, Cafe · Italian cafe · Via Venezia
Cavallino Bianco
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Da Laura
Seafood, Fish, Restaurant · Seafood/Fish restaurant
Da Luca e Paolo
Pizza, Italian, Hamburger, Restaurant · Pizza/Italian restaurant
Da Mario
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 23 Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi
Da Nabi
Kebab, Couscous, Fast Food · Kebab/Couscous fast food
Da o Battj
Regional, Fish, Friture, Restaurant · Regional/Fish restaurant
DuCoq
Italian, Fish, Restaurant · Italian/Fish restaurant
enjoy Burger
Burger, Fast Food · Burger fast food
Fassoneria
Burger, Fast Food · Burger fast food
Gelateria da Vitto
Gelati E Frullati, Cafe · Gelati E Frullati cafe
Gran Caffe Rapallo
Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Restaurant · Japanese/Italian restaurant
Il Besugo Innamorato
Fish, Restaurant · Fish restaurant
Il Ciliegino
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Il Faro
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant
Il Focacciao
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
il foccacciaio
Italian, Fast Food · Italian fast food
Il Grottino
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Il Macchiavello
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Il Trattato
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Kicks
Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Italian Pizza restaurant
L'Approdo
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
La Camogliese
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
La Cantina
Italian, Seafood, Restaurant · Italian/Seafood restaurant · 19a San Fruttuoso
La Goletta
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 28 Via Magenta, Rapallo
La Piadineria di Camogli
Regional, Fast Food · Regional fast food · Piazza Cristoforo Colombo
La Rotonda
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
La Sosta
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Latteria Rivarola
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Breakfast/Coffee Shop cafe · 82 Via Rivarola, 16043
Le Arcate
Pizza, Kebab, Restaurant · Pizza/Kebab restaurant
Le Carillon
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Luca & Paolo
Pizza, Fast Food · Pizza fast food
Mary Jo
Burger, Hot Dog, Sandwich, Fast Food · Burger/Hot Dog fast food
Oriente
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant
Osteria da Vittorio
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 33 Via Bighetti, Chiavari, 16043
Osteria Genin
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Osteria N° 7
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Österia ö Magazín
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Osteria Pepen
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Pak Kebab & Indian Fast Food
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food
Percin Döner Kebap
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food · 16 Via Roma
Pizza E Co.
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Pizzeria Cavaliere
Pizza, Fast Food · Pizza fast food
Pizzeria n°6
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · 33 Piazza Roma, Chiavari, 16043
Pizzeria Verdi
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Pulcinella
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Puny
Asian, Restaurant · Asian restaurant
Rakki Sushi
Sushi, Restaurant · Sushi restaurant
Ristorante Al Boschetto
Ligurian, Restaurant · Ligurian restaurant
Ristorante Da Ö Vittorio
Italian, Regional, Restaurant · Italian/Regional restaurant
Semmu Friti
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food · 22 Via Piero Schiaffino
Settembrin al mare
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 9 Piazza Ventisette Dicembre
Snaporaz
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Coffee Shop cafe · 222 Via Martiri della Liberazione
Taberna Mexicana Don Ricardo
Mexican, Restaurant · Mexican restaurant · 202 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Tocca e Leva
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Tonoa
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · 17 Piazza Ventisette Dicembre
Trattoria al Baretto
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Trattoria da Armando
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 6c Frazione San Bartolomeo, 16031
Trattoria da Oreste
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Trattoria Dei Pescatori
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · 43 Via Tommaso Bottaro, Santa Margherita Ligure, 16038
Trattoria Garibaldi
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Trattoria Parma
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · Vico Saline, Chiavari
U Carruggio
Regional, Fast Food · Regional fast food · 68 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Uolli's BBQ factory
Burger, Sandwich, American, Fast Food · Burger/Sandwich fast food
Via Roma Caffè
Ice Cream, Cafe · Ice Cream cafe
What Else?
Coffee Shop, Ice Cream, Cafe · Coffee Shop/Ice Cream cafe
Yume
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · 162 Via dei Devoto, Lavagna, 16033
zia Piera
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Bar Ausonia
Cafe · Opening hours: 06:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating
Cafe Zipier
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Tu,Th-Su 18:00-02:00 Features: step-free access · 17 Via Avenaggi
Capanigra birreria e cucina
Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-15:00,18:00-02:00, Mo 18:00-02:00 · 12 Via Dante Alighieri, Lavagna, 16033
Factotum
Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:30-15:00 Features: takeaway · 26 Via Dante Alighieri, Lavagna, 16033
Gido
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating
Pasticceria Caffetteria Toni
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-12:30, 14:30-19:30 · 6 Piazza Torriglia, Chiavari, 16043
Pastificio Olga
Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 08:00-13:00, 16:00-19:30; Su 08:00-13:00; Mo off · 41 Via Roma, Lavagna, 16033
Ristorante Pizzeria Lo Scugnizzo
Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Tu 12:00-15:00,19:00-24:00
Rsitorante da Felice
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 12:15-14:00,19:15-21:45
Trattoria U Pescou
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:15-15:00, 19:00-23:00; We off · 70 Via Dante Alighieri, Lavagna, 16033
Gelateria Gepi
Ice Cream · ice cream · 1 Piazzetta della Magnolia · gelateriegepi.it
Le Cupole
Restaurant · restaurant · 369 Via Aurelia Orientale · lecupole.eu
Perbacco
Restaurant · restaurant · lavagnesehotel.com
Ristoro Mulino del Gassetta
Restaurant · restaurant · mulinodelgassetta.it
Bar Gelateria Baciollo
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 8 Piazza Cavour, 16035
Bar Gelateria Paciugo
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 12 Piazza della Libertà
Bar della Torre
Cafe · cafe · 1 Piazza della Torre
Bar Tigullio
Restaurant · restaurant · 80 Corso Giacomo Matteotti
Bronzin Mania
Restaurant · restaurant · 214 Via Entella, Chiavari, 16043
Cucù
Restaurant · restaurant · 64 Via della Repubblica
Donastart
Restaurant · restaurant · 12a Piazza Ventisette Dicembre, Zoagli
Gelateria Cavassa
Cafe · cafe · 31 Lungomare Bettolo
La Darsena
Restaurant · restaurant
Lord Nelson
Restaurant · restaurant · 27 Corso Valparaiso, Chiavari, 16043
Trattoria Il Serraglio
Restaurant · restaurant
Trattoria Ristorante Boschetto
Restaurant · restaurant
Villa delle Donne
Restaurant · restaurant · 46 Salita Sant'Agostino
Al molo 16
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Angolo 48
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Bar Gelateria Simonetti
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating · 1 Largo Gian Giacomo Vicini, 16030
Bar Gipsy
Cafe · Features: step-free access · 81 Via Romagneno
Bar Piero
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Bar Pippi
Cafe · Features: step-free access
Caravaggio Cafè
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Diego Bistrot
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 162 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Gelateria Al Polipo
Ice Cream · Features: vegan options
Gelateria Centrale
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway
Gelateria Miki
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating
Gelato e dintorni
Ice Cream · Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 104 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 16032
I Lumi
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Il Timone
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 2 Piazza Milano
îzoa
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access
Karma Kaffè
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · 122 Via Roma
Latteria & Cafe
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Oreste
Cafe · Features: step-free access · 4 Via Piero Schiaffino
Osteria da Drin
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Piccolo Bar
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Primula
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
100% Naturale gelateria artigianale
Ice Cream · ice cream
A Santa Lucia
Restaurant · restaurant
Amburgheria MiglioVerde
Fast Food · fast food
American Bar
Restaurant · restaurant · 21 Calata Marconi
Ancora
Restaurant · restaurant · 15 Corso Valparaiso
Antonio
Restaurant · restaurant
Bar Angle
Cafe · cafe · 8 Via Giovanni Battista Prandina, Chiavari
Bar Baby
Cafe · cafe · 24 Via Venti Settembre
Bar Buffet Stazione
Cafe · cafe
Bar Circolo ACLI G.Mariani
Cafe · cafe
Bar Contra
Cafe · cafe
Bar Italia
Cafe · cafe
Bar Italico
Cafe · cafe · 22 Piazza Nostra Signora dell'Orto
Bar Ivano
Fast Food · fast food
Bar Olimpia
Cafe · cafe
Bar Orchidea
Cafe · cafe
Bar Portici
Cafe · cafe
Bar Rico
Cafe · cafe · 25 Piazza della Libertà, Lavagna, 16033
Bar Santa Margherita
Cafe · cafe
Bar Sorriso
Cafe · cafe
Bar Sport
Cafe · cafe
Bar Verdi
Ice Cream · ice cream
Beef Grill experience - argentinian restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Birra Leo
Biergarten · biergarten
Blue Santa
Restaurant · restaurant
Boccon Divino
Restaurant · restaurant · 18 Via Entella, Chiavari, 16043
Borgo Antico
Restaurant · restaurant
Budicin pasticceria
Cafe · cafe
Cafè della Posta
Cafe · cafe
Café Vélo
Cafe · cafe
Cafeteria Piccolo
Cafe · cafe
Caffè del Conte
Cafe · cafe · 47 Via Dante Alighieri, Lavagna, 16033
Caffè del Porto
Restaurant · restaurant · 32 Via Tommaso Bottaro, Santa Margherita Ligure, 16038
Caffè della Piazza
Cafe · cafe
Caffè della Ribbâ
Cafe · cafe
Caffè Family
Cafe · cafe · 222 Via Entella, Chiavari, 16043
Caffè La Piazzetta
Cafe · cafe
Capitan Mugugno
Cafe · cafe
Capo Borgo
Restaurant · restaurant · 95 Via Entella, Chiavari, 16043
Cartoonia
Restaurant · restaurant
chez vous
Cafe · cafe
Chicken Kitchen
Fast Food · fast food
Coco Loco
Cafe · cafe · 9a Piazza Ventisette Dicembre
Cremeria Spinola
Ice Cream · ice cream · 118 Corso Valparaiso
Cristina
Cafe · cafe
Da Emilio
Restaurant · restaurant
da Martino
Restaurant · restaurant
Da Monique
Restaurant · restaurant
Da Nonna Nina
Restaurant · restaurant
Divino
Restaurant · restaurant
Dogliani Gelateria Cioccolateria
Ice Cream · ice cream · 70 Via Venezia, Rapallo
Dragul Churrascaria
Restaurant · restaurant
Elisir Bar ristorante
Restaurant · restaurant · Lungomare Vittorio Veneto
Filoverde ristorante e camere
Restaurant · restaurant · 1 Via Antonio Gonelli Cioni
Focaccia in Riviera
Restaurant · restaurant
Frigidarium
Ice Cream · ice cream
Frullo
Ice Cream · ice cream · 14 Piazza Ventisette Dicembre
Gelateria Calata 32
Ice Cream · ice cream
Gelateria Cremeria Like
Ice Cream · ice cream · 110 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Gelateria il Molo
Ice Cream · ice cream
Gelateria Luvì
Ice Cream · ice cream
Gelateria Marconi
Ice Cream · ice cream
Gelateria Peccati di gola
Ice Cream · ice cream · 1 Via Cavour
Gelateria Sausalito
Ice Cream · ice cream
Gipi Bar
Cafe · cafe · 80 Via Achille e Alfredo Betti
Go Go Burger
Fast Food · fast food
Grapes
Cafe · cafe
Hopper Art Cafè
Cafe · cafe
Hostaria U Nostromu
Restaurant · restaurant
I 4 Archi
Restaurant · restaurant
I' Toscano Recco
Restaurant · restaurant
Il Bandito
Restaurant · restaurant
Il baretto
Cafe · cafe
Il Bricco
Cafe · cafe · 36 Via della Repubblica
Il Fiocco
Restaurant · restaurant
Il Gusto del Fuoco
Restaurant · restaurant · 139 Via Ventiquattro Aprile, Lavagna, 16033
Il mulino da Drin
Restaurant · restaurant
Airports
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) 31 km to the centre
Genova (GE), 42, IT — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 11 airlines (Ryanair, VOLOTEA Airways, Alitalia, Air France…) · direct flights to 17 destinations incl. Barcelona, Paris, Tirana, Bari, Cagliari… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Turin (Torino) (119 km) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 11 airlines, 17 direct destinations
- Ryanair FR (737-800) · 5 routes: Bari, Cagliari, Charleroi, London, Trapani
- VOLOTEA Airways V7 (717) · 4 routes: Catania, Naples, Olbia, Palermo
- Alitalia AZ (A320, Embraer 190, A319, Embraer 170, 32S, Embraer 175) · 3 routes: Paris*, Rome, Tirana*
- Air France AF (Embraer 170, Embraer 190) · 1 route: Paris
- Air One AP (A320) · 1 route: Tirana
- British Airways BA (A319, A320, 734) · 1 route: London
- Iberia Airlines IB (A320) · 1 route: Barcelona*
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (CRJ-900, CRJ-700) · 1 route: Munich
- S7 Airlines S7 (A320) · 1 route: Moscow
- Turkish Airlines TK (330, 737-800, 737-900) · 1 route: Istanbul
- Vueling Airlines VY (A320) · 1 route: Barcelona
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Valerio Glorialanza Airfield 10 km to the centre
Calvari (GE), 42, IT
Getting there by ferry
Ferry Portofino
Ferry terminal · 0.6 km from the centre
Santa Margherita Ligure
Ferry terminal · 3.1 km from the centre
Ferry Chiavari
Ferry terminal · 9.2 km from the centre
Portofino - San Fruttuoso
Ferry route · Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio
Chiavari - San Fruttuoso
Ferry route · Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio
Camogli - Punta Chiappa - San Fruttuoso
Ferry route
Portofino - Chiavari
Ferry route · Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio
Local transit
ATP Esercizio Srl
Bus · Genoa, Liguria · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
Italo
National rail
Trenitalia
National rail
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Air Charter Service
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
ExecuJet
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Flexjet
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Global Jet
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Jet Aviation
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Living Here
Getting about
- There is no railway station in Portofino. Trains serve Santa Margherita Ligure, from where it is a ten-minute bus or boat ride.
- Driving in is actively discouraged — the road is narrow and village parking is both scarce and among the most expensive in Italy. Use the boat.
- Ferries link Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Camogli and San Fruttuoso from spring to autumn.
The season
- Effectively May to September. Many businesses close or reduce hours in winter, and the ferries largely stop.
- August is the most crowded and expensive month by a wide margin; June and September are the best compromise.
- Day-trippers and cruise passengers arrive mid-morning and leave late afternoon. Early and evening are a quieter village.
Walking and swimming
- The park trails from Portofino to San Fruttuoso and on to Camogli are well marked and steep in places; roughly two hours to the abbey.
- Swimming is from rocks and from the small beach at Paraggi; there is no real sand in the village.
- The Cinque Terre are about an hour east by train from Santa Margherita, and are a different and much busier proposition.
Practicalities
- Prices in the Piazzetta are extraordinary even by Italian resort standards. Eating in Santa Margherita or Camogli costs a fraction.
- The village is steep and cobbled beyond the harbour front, and the walks are not step-free.