Holidays in the Portofino area

On an Inghams walking holiday, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Each day, a new adventure, with as much or as little walking as you like.

Why we love walking in the Portofino area

Walking in the Portofino Natural Park will give you a taste of the area from a different perspective. A greener and more agricultural part of the coast behind the seaside towns. From strolling along the seaside promenade to walking through farmland and over hills, there’s walking for all types of walkers. If you’re looking for some more challenging walks then all you need to do is hop on a boat up the coast to the Cinque Terre area, where you’ll find all manner of steep ascents and incredible coastal trails.

Buses

The bus network is great and hopping on a bus is an affordable way of getting around the area. In Santa Margherita, you can hop on a bus direct to Portofino which takes about 20–30 minutes. This is a great option for a day trip. If you change buses in Santa Margherita you can also get from Rapallo to Portofino with little difficulty.

Ferry

There’s a useful ferry network from Rapallo where you can hop on a boat to Santa Margherita or Portofino. You can even head towards the Cinque Terre, stopping at Sestri Levante on the way, all the way down to Monterosso al Mare and Portovenere.

You can see ferry timetables and prices on the Portofino ferry website. Up to date pricings and timetables will be released in the Spring.

Trains

There’s a train line running along the coast, so there are easy direct connections from most of our resorts to nearby towns such as Camogli, Zoagli and Bogliasco. You can even get to Liguria’s capital city Genova in just under 30 minutes!

San Fruttuoso Abbey

Look at walking from Camogli to San Fruttuoso Abbey which is between Camogli and Portofino. Built between the 10^th and 13^th Centuries it’s an example of Romanesque architecture, nestled in a little bay next to the sea, and surrounded by lush woodland and a rocky coast. We’d recommend following the easy path to San Fruttuoso, up to the sanctuary of San Rocco and around Monte di Portofino. There are signposts along the route so make sure you’re following the easy route, which will take you through woodland paths. The alternative route is only recommended for expert hikers. There are lots of ascents some descents throughout this walk, so make sure you take lots of water with you! At the end you can hop on the ferry back to Camogli.

Fun Fact: There’s giant statue of Christ which lives 17 metres underwater in the Bay of San Fruttuoso, a popular attraction for scuba divers, for more information about this statue, head to the ‘Things To Do’ tab.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging
• Distance: 7km 
• Walking time: approx. 2.5 hours
• Terrain: paved paths, roads, steep cliff paths, steep woodland paths
• Useful Information: if setting off from Camogli, you can get to Camogli by train from Santa Margherita (5 mins direct) and Rapallo (8 mins direct)

Camogli – Portofino – Santa Margherita

Towards Camogli’s carabinieri (police) barracks and up to the church of San Rocco. You’ll then set off along the Via Crucis which eventually brings you to a wooded area and then on to Portofino where you’ll get those incredible panoramas of Portofino harbour and the sea.  The path into Portofino is on a cliffside so make sure you stay alert as you walk along it. The last leg of the walk back to Santa Margherita isn’t too strenuous, following ‘the path of kisses’ through some lush greenery and onto Paraggi. From Paraggi, you can then follow the seafront, a straightforward and well-trodden path, with fantastic coastal views.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging
• Distance: 16km 
• Walking time: approx. 6 hours
• Terrain: paved paths, roads, cliff paths, woodland paths
• Useful Information: Get to Camogli by train from Santa Margherita (5 mins direct) and Rapallo (8 mins direct).

Santa Margherita – Portofino

Starting in Santa Margherita’s Piazza V. Veneto walk along a coastal route and over the old roman bridge that connects Portofino and Santa Margherita, with elevated sea views. You’ll pass by Santa Margherita’s port famously previously home to the yacht princess Diana was photographed on (before it was destroyed in the storms of 2018), the local fish market and gardens.

You’ll pass over a footbridge which means will lead you to the beautiful Paraggi Bay and links you to the pedestrianised path from Paraggi to Portofino. This path will eventually lead you to the Portofino’s iconic harbour! Either walk back or hop on the bus directly back to Santa Margherita which takes about 20-30 minutes.

• Grade: Easy-Moderate
• Distance: 5km
• Walking time: approx. 1.5 hours
• Terrain: paved paths, roads, cliff paths, woodland paths
• Ascent/Descent: 130 metres

Recommended equipment

Suitable walking shoes with good grip, appropriate clothing, rain jacket, sun cream, insect repellent, sun glasses, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a re-usable water bottle and a snack. You may find walking poles useful.

Walking guidelines

The coast, cliffs and natural parks are a natural paradise, with lots to explore and discover. To help them stay that way, and remain enjoyable and safe places for everyone, we recommend following our little list of do's and don'ts:

• Plan your route well and don't overestimate yourself
• Check the weather forecast
• Tell someone where you're planning to walk and what time you're expecting to be back
• Take all the recommended equipment
• Make a note of emergency numbers:
  Italian Emergency Services: 112
• Don't leave the marked trails without a guide
• Let nature stay wild by not picking wild flowers (it's illegal in some places) or getting close to/making contact with wild animals
• Always leave gates as you found them and don't climb over fences
• Leave no trace

Check out our Responsible Walking insider guide if you want more tips for your summer walking holiday.