About Portofino

Portofino, the jewel of the Italian Riviera, blends sun-soaked glamor with postcard-perfect harbor views. Known for its yachts, pastel facades, and effortless la dolce vita, it’s a dream spot for travelers seeking style and charm. While its luxury waterfront hotels cater to those chasing indulgence, tucked-away hillside villas offer quieter elegance. For family-friendly stays, look towards nearby Santa Margherita Ligure, while beach lovers will adore the boutique hideaways by Paraggi Bay. Whatever your style, Portofino has a bed with a view waiting.

Portofino may have long outgrown its fishing village roots, but it still feels like a postcard brought to life — a graceful crescent of pastel villas gathered around a glittering bay. Life here moves at an unhurried pace, perfect for honeymooners, style-seekers, or anyone craving a sun-soaked escape. The town itself is really just the Piazzetta, gazing out at the yachts, with a little church and a castle tucked into the hillside greenery, but the real charm is in lingering over an aperitivo and watching the world glide by. If you tire of lounging, fine dining, and browsing designer boutiques (it happens, apparently), you can hop on a ferry, rent a boat, or join the lucky few who arrived on their own yacht. Either way, Portofino is less about ticking off sights and more about sinking into its effortless glamor.

The Best Places to Stay in Portofino

For quintessential portofino

  • Perched above Portofino Harbor, Hotel Splendido fuses grand villa elegance with five-star luxury, offering sweeping Ligurian Sea views, arched balconies, and lush gardens. Three refined restaurants spotlight regional Italian cuisine, alongside a chic sunset bar, while a world-class spa and health club ensure pure indulgence.

For a romantic escape

  • Hotel Eight transforms a former Ligurian farmhouse into a chic 17-room escape with modern comforts, elegant interiors, and garden hot tub. Breakfast is served daily, and local restaurants lie within an easy, scenic stroll. An intimate escape, perfect for couples.
  • Set in a private bay near Portofino, Eight Hotel Paraggi blends romantic Ligurian villa charm with modern style across just 13 rooms. Suites offer hot tubs and sea views, while beachside dining—candlelit or casual—serves superb Italian cuisine. Adjoining rooms make it family-friendly.

For luxury

  • Commanding views of Santa Margherita Harbor, Imperiale Palace Hotel offers 89 rooms rich with frescoes, chandeliers, and parquet floors. A spa, pool, restaurant, and bar deliver five-star indulgence, while its family-friendly atmosphere ensures all ages feel at home.
  • Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel- Perched above Portofino’s glittering harbor, this legendary hideaway pairs 1950s glamor with nautical chic. Indulge in world-class dining, unwind in the spa, and soak in Riviera beauty from serene terraces that whisper timeless Italian elegance.

For great value

  • Surrounded by greenery and coastal views, Hotel Piccolo's 22 rooms blend period charm with sleek monochrome minimalism. Guests enjoy terrace breakfasts, seafood-focused Ligurian dining, and a romantic, tranquil atmosphere perfect for unwinding by the sea. A very affordable base.

For a private apartment or villa

  • If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel information

  • Portofino’s closest international airport is Genoa’s Christopher Columbus Airport, which is about 40 minutes away by car or taxi, and just shy of two hours on the train. Milan’s Linate Airport is about two hours away from Portofino by car or four hours on the train, while Milan Malpensa Airport and Bergamo Airport are more like two and a half hours drive, or about four hours on the train. Portofino doesn’t have its own station, you have to catch a shuttle from Santa Margherita Station. There’s very limited parking in Portofino, and you have to pay premium prices for it, so bear these challenges in mind when planning your journey. One option might be to use the ferry — which also benefits from spectacular views — from Rapallo or Santa Margherita.
  • If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
  • Portofino is the sort of place where some of the boutiques, bars and restaurants shut up for the winter, so most visitors opt to come between Easter and the end of October. You can find out of season deals if you’re a serious fan, or want to visit the Cinque Terre outside of the summer seasons, but many of Portofino’s charms are tied up with sunshine and warm seas.

Still not sure?

  • You could expand your search to include all our recommendations for the best places to stay in Liguria or in Rapallo.
  • Alternatively, you could explore Cinque Terre’s towns or La Spezia.
  • Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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The best hotels in Portofino

Hotel Piccolo

Portofino

A refined period villa immersed in lush vegetation, typical of the Ligurian Riviera. In contrast, rooms are modern with minimalist furnishings and stunning views. Enjoy breakfasts on the terrace, fresh fish and traditional Ligurian cuisine in the hotel restaurant. Truly romantic.

  • Views - Stunning views over the bay
  • Sights nearby - Just 450m from the centre of town
  • Local markets - Enjoy local street market
  • Swimming Pool - Private beach access
from $237 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Imperiale Palace Hotel

Portofino

A luxurious 5 star property overlooking the scenic Italian Riviera. Elegantly dressed throughout, the rooms are no exception. High ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, wooden floors and antique furniture abound. Some of the best also have frescoes and chandeliers. Italian indulgence at its very best.

  • Total relaxation - A luxury property on the tranquil Italian Riviera complete with indulgent spa.
  • Sights nearby - Visit the Palazzi dei Rolli declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Great walks - Take long walks through the scenic Portofino Park.
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor pool
from $386 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Eight Hotel Paraggi

Portofino

A Ligurian villa nestled in a private bay on the Italian Riviera. Stunning modern rooms and suites with balconies and hot tubs, fabulous Italian cuisine, private candle lit dinners on the beach, and plenty of sun traps to bathe in. An ideal choice for a romantic beach holiday.

  • Foodies - Meticulous Italian cuisine.
  • Beach Life
  • Private Hot Tub - All rooms except standard and superior feature a private outdoor hot tub
  • Outstanding location - Set in a private bay on the Italian Riviera.
from $452 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Hotel Eight

Portofino (Portofino)

A Ligurian farmhouse perched on a hill just above Portofino village with a charming private garden with hot tub. Contemporary chic rooms and suites have all the mod cons, balconies, and attractive furnishings. Charming breakfast verandah and walking distance to restaurants. Romantic, picturesque.

  • Traditional - A traditional Ligurian house.
  • Spa
  • Great walks
  • Sights nearby
from $568 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel

Portofino (Liguria)

An iconic Portofino hotel overlooking the harbor on the Italian Riviera. With interiors echoing the 1950s' elegance, it gives a stylish nod to its nautical roots. Dine at DaV Mare for a taste of the sea, and enjoy the array of amenities, including a wellness retreat. A serene historical gem.

  • Hotel Entertainment - Catch the last sun rays on an expansive terracotta terrace, overlooking either village or harbour, a cappuccino in hand
  • Other Activities - Indulge in a 'Muscle Melt' massage, a blend of Sicilian sea salt and relaxation that will sooth the body and soul
  • Beach Life - Bask in Riviera luxury with starlit seafood dinners and azure sea views, a sumptuous escape
  • Romantic Break - Romantic rooftops and twilight yachting set the stage for love in Portofino's embrace
from $600 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Hotel Splendido

Portofino

A luxurious Italian hotel set on a stunning hillside, overlooking Portofino harbor. Rooms are timelessly elegant and boast impressive sea views. A choice of three sophisticated restaurants, serving traditional Italian cuisine. Swimming pool, spa and health center. Quintessential Italian splendor.

  • 5* Luxury
  • Kayaking - Explore the wonders of the Italian Riviera aboard a kayak.
  • Restaurant - La Terraza restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine
  • Fishing - The hotel fishing boat: "Castel Dragone”
from $715 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia