How to Visit Portofino: Harbours, Ferries, the Two Paid Sights (2026)
The short answer. Portofino has no gate and no entry fee: the harbour, the Piazzetta and the lanes are free at every hour. You pay for the way in, for the two sights that charge, and for any boat or guide. Most people come by train to Santa Margherita, then the ferry. Our Portofino guided tours handle the boat, the walk or the day from Genoa for you.
Quick facts
- Entry to the village: free, all day and all year.
- The ferry from Santa Margherita: €20 return in 2026; from Rapallo, €22 return.
- The castle above the harbour: €10, free under 12, sold only at the gate; 10:00 to 18:00 in October.
- The abbey at San Fruttuoso: €10 for an adult; 10:00 to 15:45 in October, last entry 45 minutes before closing.
- The church of San Giorgio: free, open in daylight.
What you pay for, and what you do not
A lot of people search for a Portofino ticket and find there is none. The village is a working harbour with a square at its head, and you walk straight in. What costs money is getting there, the two sights that charge, and whatever you do on the water.
| What it costs | Where you pay | |
|---|---|---|
| The village and the Piazzetta | Nothing | No gate |
| The church on the cliff | Nothing | Open in daylight |
| The castle and its garden | €10, free under 12 | At the gate only |
| The abbey at San Fruttuoso | €10, €5 ages 6 to 18 | At the abbey |
| The ferry from Santa Margherita | €20 return | At the pier |
Castello Brown is the comune's own castle, on the hill above the harbour. Its ticket covers the garden and the rooms, and you cannot book it ahead. The abbey is a boat ride or a long walk away, in the next bay. More on each is on things to do in Portofino.
Getting there
The nearest station is Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, on the line along the coast from Genoa. The kayak operator's directions put it about 45 minutes from Genoa by train, two hours from Pisa and two and a half from Milan. From the station you have three ways on: bus 82, the ferry, or the path along the sea.
The ferry is the way most visitors arrive. The Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio runs its boats from Rapallo and Santa Margherita, and on to San Fruttuoso, in season. Tickets are sold at the pier. Every route, fare and start is on getting to Portofino.
Cruise passengers land by tender at the Molo Isolotto in Portofino itself. From Genoa's cruise terminal, a coach-and-boat day does the whole trip for you.
A first walk round the harbour
Start in the Piazzetta, the small square at the head of the harbour. From there, the salita climbs to the church of San Giorgio on the cliff. It was first built in 1154 and rebuilt four times after wars. From the top you look down over the roofs and the harbour.
Carry on up the hill for the castle, then along the headland to the lighthouse. Painted tiles point the way. The walk is on paths and steps, so wear shoes with grip. Our map of Portofino shows the harbour, the church and the starts of the boats.
How long to allow
Half a day covers the village: the harbour, the church, the castle and a coffee in the square. A full day lets you add San Fruttuoso by boat, or a swim at Paraggi. If you are staying in the gulf, two days let you walk one morning and go on the water the next.
Where to sleep is a real question here. The village is tiny, so most visitors base themselves in Santa Margherita or Rapallo. The trade-offs are on where to stay near Portofino.
When to go
April to October is the season for boats. The abbey opens longer in summer, 10:00 to 17:45 from June to 14 September, and the ferries run their full timetables. From November the castle keeps 10:00 to 16:00, the abbey shuts on Mondays that are not holidays, and some boats stop. The month-by-month picture is on the best time to visit Portofino.
What to bring
Pack shoes with grip for the climb to the church and the castle, plus water, a hat and sun cream. Bring a swimsuit and a towel if you might swim at Paraggi or from a boat. Carry some euros in cash as well. The castle sells its ticket only at the gate, the ferry sells at the pier, and the harbour boat takes its fuel charge in cash.
Five mistakes first-time visitors make
- Looking for a ticket to the village. There is none. Save the money for the ferry and the two paid sights.
- Assuming a boat lands you. Some boats put you ashore in Portofino for an hour; many only pass the harbour. Check the stop list before you book.
- Expecting the abbey in the fare. No boat's price covers its €10 ticket. Budget it separately.
- Forgetting cash. The small-group boat from the harbour adds €10 a person for fuel, in cash at boarding.
- Driving in August. Parking is scarce; the train and the ferry are easier.
Tours: which kind suits you
If you want the water, the small-group boat from Portofino harbour leaves from the quay itself, at $103 a person plus €10 fuel in cash. Shared boats from Rapallo and the harbour run $98 to $103 a person, with €10 fuel in cash on the harbour boat. A whole boat for your group costs $557 and up. All are set out on Portofino boat tour.
On foot, the ferry, walk and pesto class starts in Santa Margherita with the ferry in the fare. Private guided walks run $220 to $405 a person. From Genoa, the coach-and-boat day costs $101 a person.
| If you are... | Consider | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Already in Portofino | A shared boat from the harbour | $103 plus €10 fuel |
| Staying in Santa Margherita | The ferry, a walk and a pesto class | $261 |
| Coming off a ship in Genoa | The coach-and-boat day | $101 |
| Keen to paddle | A kayak from Paraggi | $52 |
Three ways into the village
Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch
Three hours from the Santa Margherita ferry pier: the return ferry, a guided walk up to San Giorgio, focaccia at a bakery, then a pesto class and lunch on the harbour, up to 6.
From $261 per person, bookings of two
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Genoa: Portofino Guided Shore Excursion & Private Boat Tour
Five and a half hours from the Genoa cruise terminal: a coach to Santa Margherita, focaccia, the boat along the coast and about two hours free in Portofino. A tour leader stays with you.
From $101 per person
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Portofino Private Guided Tour – Optional Santa-Margherita/Genoa
A private guide for about two hours in the Piazzetta and the lanes, met at the harbour or your hotel. Longer options add Santa Margherita, or a car from Genoa and back.
From $220 per person
Check AvailabilityNext: Choose how you arrive first, then the boat or the walk that fits it. Every fare sits side by side on Portofino Tours.