Portofino with Kids: Swims, Steps and the Easiest Day Out
The short answer. Yes, Portofino works with children, as long as you know three things. Kayak and paddleboard trips need every paddler to swim. The paddleboard sets its age at 14. And the church is uphill, while the abbey is up flights of steps. The Portofino kayak tour and the shared boats have the clearest family rules.
Is it worth it with children?
For most families, yes. The village is small, so little legs are never far from a gelato or a bench on the harbour. The draw is the water: boats, a beach at Paraggi and a kayak to the lighthouse. The history is best kept short, with one climb to the church and a story or two.
Who can do what
| Trip | Ages | Swimming | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kayak from Paraggi | No age set; mixed groups | Must swim | $52 a person |
| Paddleboard in the bay | From 14 | Must swim | $62 a person |
| Shared boat from Rapallo | Child fare 3 to 11 | Optional | $98 a person |
| Shared boat from the harbour | Under 4 on a lap | Optional | $103 plus €10 fuel |
| Ferry, walk and pesto class | Child rate 3 to 12 | None | $261 a person |
The kayak trip sets no minimum age, and it is sold as easy for any level. One recent group mixed children, adults and seniors. But every paddler must be able to swim, so it suits older children who are at home in the sea.
On the water
The kayak from Paraggi is an hour and a half, at $52 a person. The instructor fits everyone with a wetsuit, a life vest and neoprene boots, then leads the group past the harbour to the lighthouse. There is a swim at the far end.
For teenagers, the paddleboard stays in the bay of Paraggi, from 14, at $62 a person. The base has lockers and water to refill bottles, but no toilets. Basic services, including toilets, are in the bay nearby.
For younger children, a boat is easier. The shared boat from Rapallo sells a child fare from 3 to 11, and infants ride on a lap. It carries snorkel gear and puts you ashore in Portofino for an hour. It is not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness. The shared boats are all on Portofino boat tour.
On foot, and the steps
The climbing starts when you leave the harbour. The salita up to the church of San Giorgio goes uphill from the square, and the path on to the castle and the lighthouse keeps climbing. Plan rests, and carry water.
San Fruttuoso has more steps. From the jetty you climb one flight, go down another, cross the beach and climb three more. The abbey inside is on three levels. The FAI calls it difficult for visitors with reduced mobility.
The ferry, walk and pesto class is the family choice on land. Children pay a child rate from 3 to 12 when two paying adults come, a pushchair is fine on the walk, and infant seats are available. One family with children of 8 and 11 found the guide kept them both interested.
What the sights charge for children
- The abbey: €5 for ages 6 to 18, free under 6, and a family ticket of €26 for two adults and their children.
- The castle: €10 for adults, free under 12, sold at the gate only.
- The church: free for everyone, in daylight.
Castello Brown is a short walk above the harbour, with a garden and views. The abbey and its bay are on San Fruttuoso and its bay.
A family ticket that pays
If you bring two children between 6 and 18 to the abbey, buy the family ticket. Two adult tickets and two child tickets come to €30; the family ticket is €26 and covers all your children in that age band. Under-sixes go in free, so a toddler costs nothing.
The castle is simpler: children under 12 go free, and you pay €10 for each adult at the gate, the only place it is sold.
Getting there with children
The train and the ferry are the easy route with a family. Take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, then the ferry along the coast to the harbour. The ferry ride itself becomes part of the outing.
For the kayak or the paddleboard, you go to Paraggi instead. The operator's directions give three ways from the station: bus 82, a taxi, or the walk along the sea. With small children, the bus or a taxi saves their energy for the water.
Staying safe on the water
Every paddler wears a life vest on the kayak and a life jacket on the paddleboard, and the instructor stays with the group. The shared boat from Rapallo has a sun awning, a shower and a swim ladder. On the harbour boat, infants under 4 ride on a lap.
The sea decides every trip. If the weather turns, you are usually offered another date or a refund, so book early in your stay and keep a spare day.
Practical tips for families
- Go early in summer. The morning is cooler for the climb.
- Pack swimwear every day. Most boats stop for a swim, and Paraggi is on the way in.
- Carry cash for the harbour boat. Its fuel charge is €10 a person at boarding.
- Check the forecast. Boats and paddling depend on a calm sea; the averages are on Portofino weather by month.
A family day that works
Take the train to Santa Margherita and the ferry to Portofino. Climb to the church while it is cool, then come down for lunch on the harbour. In the afternoon, head to Paraggi for the kayak or a swim. If the children are small, swap the kayak for a boat from the harbour. More ideas are on activities in Portofino.
Days on the water for families
Easy Kayak Tour to Portofino with Optional Snorkeling
An hour and a half in a sea kayak from Paraggi bay, past Portofino harbour to the lighthouse, with a swim below it. Instructor, wetsuit and life vest provided.
From $52 per person
Check Availability
Paddle Boarding Experience in Portofino
An hour and a half on a paddleboard in the bay of Paraggi, with a guide, a wetsuit and a life jacket. From 14, and you must be able to swim.
From $62 per person
Check Availability
Boat Tour to Portofino and San Fruttuoso for Small Groups
Four hours from Rapallo on a shared boat of up to 12: an hour ashore in Portofino, an hour snorkelling in San Fruttuoso bay and a stop at Paraggi. Fuel and snorkel gear are in the fare.
From $98 per person
Check AvailabilityNext: Check who can swim and who can climb, then pick the day that suits them all. Every fare sits side by side on Portofino Tours.