Things to see in Portofino
The village is small. The harbour, the Piazzetta, the church of San Giorgio, Castello Brown and the lighthouse viewpoint are all on one path, and the whole walk takes about 30 minutes without stops. Add time for the castle and for the views.
Beyond the village there are boats to San Fruttuoso, walks in the nature park and the beaches of the bay. If you want to book a trip, the Portofino boat tours page compares the options.
The harbour and the Piazzetta
Where the walk starts.
The houses line the bay, with boats in the harbour and cafés on the small square. Castello Brown stands higher up, over the harbour. The village centre is a pedestrian area, so you reach it on foot from the bus stop or the car park. A covered public car park near Piazza Martiri della Libertà is open 24 hours and is paid.
Do not count on swimming from the harbour. For bathing, use the bays described on the beaches near Portofino page.
Our pick: a guided kayak tour
A 90-minute paddle shows the promontory from the water and is easy to fit around other plans.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Portofino tours and excursions
Boat trips along the coast, walks and day tours, with live prices and availability.
The walk to the lighthouse viewpoint
One path, in this order.
Piazzetta to San Giorgio
The path leaves the square and climbs to the church of San Giorgio on its cliff. The forecourt in front of the church has a view of the coast. Check the opening times of the church locally, and treat the forecourt as the stop.
Villas and viewpoints
From San Giorgio the path runs past villas and several lookout points. The Olivetta side path leads down to a small beach. Check the sea and the zone rules before you plan a swim there.
Castello Brown
The castle stands on the way, with its walls and towers over the bay. A British consul in Genoa bought it in 1867, and the municipality has owned it since 1961.
Castello Brown →The viewpoint below the lighthouse
The path ends at a belvedere under the lighthouse (Faro di Portofino). You can look at the lighthouse from here. Plan on the view, not on a tower climb.
Castello Brown: hours in 2026
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
| Period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| January | Saturday and Sunday 10:30 to 17:30, last entry 17:00 |
| February and March | 10:00 to 16:00 |
| April and May | 10:00 to 19:00 |
| June to 30 August | 10:00 to 21:00 |
| September | 10:00 to 19:00 |
| October | 10:00 to 18:00 |
| November and December | 10:00 to 16:00 |
Entry is €10 for the park and the castle, paid at the entrance only. You cannot reserve or buy online. Private events can change the opening on a given day, so check before a special visit. For most visitors, the castle is a good use of an hour on top of the 30-minute walk.
Things to do in Portofino: frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Portofino take?
The village walk to the lighthouse viewpoint takes about 30 minutes. With Castello Brown and time at the harbour, plan half a day. A trip to San Fruttuoso takes a day.
Can I climb the lighthouse?
Plan on the belvedere below the Faro, which gives the view. Do not count on a tower climb.
Does the Castello Brown ticket include anything else?
The €10 ticket covers the park and the castle in 2026. Plan on the park and the castle only.
Is Portofino worth a day trip?
Yes, if you like harbour views, short walks and boats. For a longer visit, add the walk or boat to San Fruttuoso.