Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Portofino?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 exclusive 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Portofino?

One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Portofino, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Admire the quaint setting, admire the wonderful scenery, take a hike, and learn about the history of the town on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Portofino as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

How to spend a week 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.

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.

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.

Shopping in Portofino is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The quaint cobblestone streets are lined with high end boutiques that target the opulent jet-setter crowd that frequents Portofino. Much of the shopping is around Martiri dell'Olivetta Square.

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.

The beautiful beaches await you in Portofino, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Like much of the Italian coast, the beaches in the area are dramatic and beautiful. They're also rocky and pebbly and can get a bit crowded during the summer months.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch ($247)
  • Portofino Kayak Tour ($54)
  • Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Genoa Airport(GOA) ($49)

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.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Portofino?

Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Portofino. Many visitors prefer to spend two to five days here, so more time would allow you to experience the quaint atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, the hiking, and the historic old town at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

How to spend 2 weeks in Portofino

Having 2 weeks in Portofino will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the seaside village.

After you've explored most of Portofino, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

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.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Portofino. Plenty of amazing options are available.

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.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

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.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Portofino, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.

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.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Portofino. Plenty of amazing options are available.

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.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

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.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Portofino, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.

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.

More Info

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

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