Piazzetta di Portofino
The Piazzetta — officially Piazza Martiri dell'Olivetta — is where Portofino gathers with itself. Fishing boats and superyachts share the same strip of water a few metres away, and the coloured facades of 18th- and 19th-century buildings curve around the harbour like a theatre set that happens to be real. There is nowhere in the village to be that isn't, eventually, here.
The square takes its formal name from 21 partisans and a civilian killed during the Second World War. That dedication sits quietly beneath the café chairs and the clinking of glasses — easy to miss, worth knowing.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to arrive early, before the day-trippers come in on the boats from Santa Margherita. The harbourside restaurants price for the view, so regulars often eat one street back and use the Piazzetta for an aperitivo at the end of the afternoon, when the light on the water is doing its best work.
The story behind Piazzetta di Portofino
Portofino's harbour — Pliny the Elder called it Portus Delphini — appears in recorded history as early as 986, when a diploma from Adelaide of Italy assigned the settlement to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte. It passed through Rapallo's commune jurisdiction in 1171 before entering the Republic of Genoa's orbit after 1229.
The village's modern character was shaped from the outside in. Late 19th-century British and Northern European aristocrats discovered the harbour, and Elizabeth von Arnim's 1922 novel The Enchanted April — written after her stay at Castello Brown — accelerated that attention considerably. By 1950, tourism had overtaken fishing as the town's principal livelihood, and the Piazzetta's ring of restaurants and cafés had settled into the configuration that still stands today.
Good to know
Reach Portofino by train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then a 15-minute bus or seasonal ferry (Golfo Paradiso, March–October). The village is fully pedestrianised; a covered car park sits at Piazza Martiri della Libertà. September trades peak-season crowds for weather that's still warm. Many shops close November through March.
Summer runs warm and relatively dry — July and August peak around 26°C, with July the driest month of the year. September is the sweet spot: the water stays swimmable and the square is measurably quieter. November brings the heaviest rainfall of the year, and winter visits mean reduced ferry services and shuttered shops.
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What travellers say about Piazzetta di Portofino
Such a beautiful place to visit. I truly hope I get back there one day!
The Marina di Portofino is truly magical. Nestled in a picturesque bay surrounded by colorful buildings and lush green hills, it feels like stepping into a postcard 📸🇮🇹. The boats and yachts add to the charm, and the whole atmosphere is peaceful and elegant. Perfect spot for a romantic walk, a nice coffee by the water ☕🛥️, or just soaking in the beauty of the Italian Riviera. Don’t forget your camera! 📷🌅 Highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area 👌
I loved this place 💝🙏
Beautiful and picturesque little port with an even better view from the hills surrounding the port. Pristine clean waters and lanes, laden with potted flowers and tiny shops make it a great place to visit. Plenty of restaurants & other shops for visitors to dine. I would encourage the eating of gelatino (icecream) as its simply divine
We've visited Portofino before. In Corona times. And it was busy even then. Now of course it was even busier. But it's a place worth visiting. The town itself is pretty compact and easy to walk. The main attraction and heart of it is of course the Marina with the boats, Yachts and all the colorful buildings. And the Castle sitting on top of the hill, overlooking the Marina. There are some special events sometimes. Like this time. Wine, cheese, meat. All kinds of things to taste and buy right on the Marina. Get a drink in a restaurant or Cafe to watch the world go by. Or bring some picnic with and sit down on one of the many benches around the Marina. This time we left the car in Santa Margherita, where we stayed for a few days and took the bus here and the ferry back. Way better and easier. Parking is limited and expensive. It's best to take the public transportations if possible. Portofino is a pretty town. But don't miss out on Santa Margherita, Lerici or Camogli. All worth a trip.
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