- Walk along sea-side promenades in pastel painted towns
- Hop on a ferry from Portofino to the Cinque Terre
- Walk through the Portofino Natural Park
The Ligurian towns near Portofino are an exciting mix of glamour and wealth, and down-to-earth, rustic charm; from the ‘dolce vita’ of Portofino itself, to Rapallo, popular with holidaying Italian families. Walking in the Portofino National Park reminds you that there's still a lot of rural land around these picture-perfect towns, just a stone's throw from the coast. Exploring on foot is a great way to get to know the real Liguria, where farmers still work on the land and old farm houses stand strong in the middle of the countryside.
Walking holidays in Portofino
One of our favourite parts of a summer walking holiday in the Portofino area is looking down on the 'C' shaped harbours that are so characteristic of the area. The bright white yachts lining the harbour always look smart bobbing about on the water. From above, the multi-coloured buildings stand out against the lapis lazuli sea. See if you can spot any fisherman bringing in their catch.
The easy going walk from Rapallo to Santa Margherita Ligure (that can be extended out to Portofino for the full 8km route) is popular with everyone, from families to joggers, thanks to its flat pathway and great views. Called ‘The Red Carpet’ walk, after a Hollywood PR stunt, the route travels alongside beautiful coastline, sandy beaches and past ornate Italian villas.
Fantastic public transport network
In the summer, trains run up and down the coast linking the towns with the city of Genoa and the beautiful Cinque Terre, which is a bit further down the coast. From Rapallo it's easy to hop on the train to other nearby towns, all of which have gorgeous sea views and tucked away beaches. From Santa Margherita you can easily get to Portofino on the bus, the journey takes about 30 minutes and you can buy your tickets in the local tabaccheria. Ferries also run from Portofino to the Cinque Terre, a scenic way to travel around the coast.
Summer holiday vibes: buzzing cafés and restaurants
While Portofino became Italy's stamping ground for the rich and famous in the 1950s, there's a more local side to the Italian Riviera waiting for you to discover it. There's a really communal feel in towns like Rapallo and Santa Margherita. Rapallo in particular is full of restaurants and delis where you can sit on plastic chairs and grab a quick pasta salad for lunch; make sure you try the local pesto Genovese. We love the down to earth restaurants, where you'll find Italian families eating pizza together and enjoying themselves late into the evening. It really is buzzing!
Sightseeing & activities in and around Portofino
Take a day out of your summer holiday and head over to Portofino. Stroll through alleyways between pastel-painted houses, window shop in designer boutiques and check out the fishing boats in La Piazzetta. There’s also plenty to discover just outside of the old fishing village so make sure you make the most of it! Walk over to Castello Brown, the 15th-century castle on a nearby peninsula, for the best views of Portofino; rent a kayak and explore the coastline; or take a boat to Abbey San Fruttuoso, only accessible by water or by walking, and discover the sunken statue of Christ.
Why book a summer holiday in the Portofino area with Inghams?
Experience the freedom of flexible walking holidays in the Portofino area with Inghams. With no fixed itineraries and no moving around each night, you can simply unpack, settle in, and explore at your own pace.
- With 90 years of travel experience, we know how to take the hassle out of your holiday to the Portofino area
- Flights, transfers and accommodation are included in every holiday package
- We’re with you every step of the way with insider knowledge and tailored support from our Destination Experts during your holiday
- During your stay you’ll have access to our Digital Resort Guides, which are packed with self-guided walks, things to do and useful information for your holiday in the Portofino area
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