Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Portofino?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Portofino?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Portofino, Italy? Most people spend two to five days in Portofino during their visit. After all, the breathtaking seaside village will let you admire the quaint setting, admire the wonderful scenery, take a hike, and learn about the history of the town.

Portofino was historically a fishing village, but today it is one of the most popular tourist spots along the Italian Riviera. The village is very charming with many pastel painted houses. It's also popular for its luxury shopping and award-winning seafood restaurants. You'll find many extravagant vacationers visiting, particularly around the harbor which is usually filled with super-yachts.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Portofino? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Portofino?

Three days is usually not enough time to experience the breathtaking seaside village of Portofino, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the quaint atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, the hiking, and the historic old town. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than three days, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend 3 days in Portofino

Portofino offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. You can easily pass days just wandering around the village and soaking up the atmopshere.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch ($247)

Portofino is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. From the scenic harbor, to the charming village streets, Portofino is as beautiful as you've heard.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch ($247)

Portofino is a very walkable city. With only a day in the seaside village, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's easy to walk around the village and then explore the countryside on one of the nearby trails.

Don't miss its scenic harbor during your trip to Portofino, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this seaside village, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Located by the sea, you'll enjoy tons of great seafood here. Make sure you try the mussels, swordfish, and salt cod.

Known for it's hiking, Portofino sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are many beautiful hikes and treks along the coastline that pass by scenic landscapes and breathtaking views.

This seaside village is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Most of the nightlife is found around Piazzetta (Oliveri Square) and Molo Umberto I. Happy hours (aperitivo) start around 5pm or 6pm and then as the evening continues, the party often moves to Paraggi Beach.

Is 4 days enough time in Portofino?

Many visitors choose to spend around four days in Portofino. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities such as the quaint atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, and the hiking. Also, you'd have some time to relax at the beach, too. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to five days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the breathtaking seaside village.

How to spend 4 days in Portofino

Having 4 days in Portofino will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the seaside village.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Despite evolving into a famous resort town, Portofino still holds on to its fishing village charm.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch ($247)

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Is 5 days enough time in Portofino?

Five days is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Portofino. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Portofino as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.

How to spend 5 days in Portofino

With 5 days in Portofino, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the seaside village has to offer.

The small-town atmosphere of Portofino is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's name is well known, but the town still holds on to its small fishing town roots.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch ($247)

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Portofino.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Portofino, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.