Portofino can only be reached by car in one direction: the provincial road that starts from Santa Margherita Ligure and follows the coast for a few kilometers, passing above the Bay of Paraggi. It's narrow, winding, and in many places without sidewalks, and in the summer it's busy with cars, scooters, buses, and pedestrians.
On weekends in July and August, queues often form as early as mid-morning. If you want to arrive in town without rushing, leave early or choose late afternoon, when many day visitors depart.
The center of Portofino is closed to traffic. Cars park in the paid parking lot at the entrance to the town, from which it's a short walk to the square. On busy days, parking fills up quickly.
For this reason, we recommend picking up the car at your hotel, in Portofino or Santa Margherita, and using it primarily for trips outside the town. If you're staying in a villa on the promontory, we'll arrange with you the closest drop-off point a car can reach.
On this road, a small car makes a difference. A Smart Brabus, a Mini GP3, or the Abarth 595 Turismo Cabrio navigate the curves easily and find parking more easily in the local parking lots: they're in the section dedicated to city cars.
For a family or group, there's the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, but on the narrow and crowded road to Portofino, a long vehicle requires a slower pace: it's often better to leave it in Santa Margherita and continue by boat or bus. You'll find it among the luxury vans . A sporty convertible is best on the roads from Liguria to France or Tuscany.
Santa Margherita Ligure, just minutes away, boasts a waterfront lined with colorful buildings, historic hotels, and a marina: many choose it as a base for a stay on the promontory. Continuing east, you'll reach Rapallo, with its small castle overlooking the sea and a long, palm-lined promenade.
Camogli is located on the opposite side of the promontory, towards Genoa. It's a fishing village with tall, colorful houses overlooking a pebble beach and a small harbor; it's about a half-hour drive from Portofino, passing through Santa Margherita.
The Abbey of San Fruttuoso stands in a small bay between Portofino and Camogli and cannot be reached by car: you can get there on foot, along the paths of the promontory, or by boat from Portofino, Camogli, or Santa Margherita. On the bay's seabed lies a bronze statue, Christ of the Abyss.
The promontory is a natural park with marked trails among holm oaks, pines, and olive trees. For longer walks, you'll need suitable footwear and water, and on the way back, you can take a boat.
The closest airport is Genoa, about 45 minutes away: take the highway to the Rapallo exit and then follow the coast. From Milan, it takes about two and a half hours, mostly on the highway. We can deliver your car to the airport or Milan and pick it up in Liguria, or vice versa.
If you're arriving by yacht, remember that Portofino's port is small and very popular in the summer. We can also deliver your car to the port of Santa Margherita, at the point your crew indicates.
Heading east, in about an hour and a half, you reach the Cinque Terre . The five villages have very little space for cars: it's best to leave your car in La Spezia or Levanto and continue by train or boat. Continuing on the highway, you'll reach Forte dei Marmi and Versilia in about two hours .
Heading west, the Riviera leads to Sanremo , about two and a half hours away, and then across the French border to the Principality of Monaco , about three hours away. Delivery and collection can take place in different countries: you can start your journey in Portofino and end it on the French Riviera.
Portofino is busiest from Easter to October, peaking in July and August, when many yachts dock in the bay. For less traffic, choose May, June, or September. In winter, the town is quiet and some hotels and restaurants close, but the paths on the promontory remain pleasant.
Can I drive into Portofino? Drive to the parking lot at the entrance to the town. The town center is closed to traffic and can be explored on foot.
What car do you recommend for Portofino? A city car if you're traveling alone or as a couple; for a family or group, a van, which you can leave in Santa Margherita when the road is crowded.
How do you get to San Fruttuoso? Only on foot, along the promontory's paths, or by boat from Portofino, Camogli, or Santa Margherita.
Do you also deliver to Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo? Yes, to hotels, villas, or the port, and also to Camogli.
Can I leave my car on the French Riviera? Yes, you can pick it up in Monaco, Nice, or another location, even abroad.
Is the model I book guaranteed? Yes, always: you'll receive the exact car you chose, with no substitutions. And you can cancel free of charge up to 72 hours before delivery.
