Portofino beaches

The three beaches of Portofino

The municipality lists three free beaches on its own territory: Niasca, Cannone Bay and Olivetta. They are small, have no facilities and are mostly reached by a short stairway. Do not expect sunbeds or a bar: these are spots for a swim and a rest, not for a full beach day. All three lie inside the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

Niasca

SandFamily friendly

The only sandy one of the three. The stairs go down from the road between Paraggi and Portofino, through Mediterranean scrub. The seabed slopes gently and has some Posidonia, so it suits small children and weak swimmers. It is in the shade from early afternoon. Right of the stairs are tidal pools: look, but do not touch. In summer the Half Blue Mile swim course starts here, for swimmers only.

Cannone Bay

PebblesRocks

A little further towards Portofino, a stairway leads to a small pebble beach. A large block of conglomerate rock stands in the middle and gives the bay its name. The seabed is mostly boulders: bring water shoes and, if you like snorkelling, a mask.

Olivetta

Pebbles

From Portofino follow the signs to Castello Brown. After about 500 metres a turn on the left leads to a stairway. The beach is free, with pebbles of various sizes and good snorkelling. The name recalls Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta on the harbour. ⚠️ After the last storm the municipality warned that some beaches needed repairs before the season: check that access is open before you go down.

Paraggi: the prettiest bay belongs to Santa Margherita

Paraggi is the beach most people mean when they search for “Portofino beach”. It lies halfway between the two towns and belongs to Santa Margherita Ligure. The bay is small and sheltered, with sand partly restored by beach nourishment and green water. Beach clubs take up most of the shore; a small free stretch sits in the middle. Anchoring is banned in the bay. For details see the beaches of Santa Margherita Ligure.

San Fruttuoso, Cala degli Inglesi and Cala dell'Oro

San Fruttuoso is on the other side of the headland, in the municipality of Camogli. The beach is coarse pebbles, mostly free, with one beach club. You can only get there on foot or by boat: the trail from Portofino is about 4 km and a good two hours. Above the bay stands the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. The Passo del Bacio and the Via dei Tubi, on the Camogli side, are closed by ordinances: do not follow old route descriptions. More beaches are in the guide to the beaches of Camogli.

Cala degli Inglesi is reached by a branch of the San Fruttuoso trail that the Park reserves for experienced hikers. It is not an equipped beach, but a cove with moorings for small boats.

Cala dell’Oro looks like a dream spot, but it lies in zone A of the Marine Protected Area, the strict reserve: swimming is not allowed there. The rest of the coast can be swum, under the rules below.

Marine Protected Area: what you may do

The Marine Protected Area is divided into zones A, B and C. In zone A free navigation is banned. In zones A and B anchoring is banned; in zone C you may anchor, except in Paraggi bay, in bathing areas marked by red buoys and in mooring fields. Motor boats are limited to 5 knots and need eco-compatibility features. Jet skis are banned. The full rules are on the website of the Portofino Marine Protected Area; swimming is also subject to Coast Guard orders.

Blue Flag 2026

In 2026 the FEE Blue Flag is not awarded to Portofino. It goes to Santa Margherita Ligure (Punta Pedale, Zona Milite Ignoto, Scogliera Pagana and Paraggi) and to Camogli (Camogli beach and San Fruttuoso). The official list is on bandierablu.org. Water quality changes: after heavy rain a temporary ban is possible, so check municipal notices and ARPAL data.

Practical tips

Getting there. Get off at Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino station and take AMT bus 782: about 20 minutes to Portofino, with a stop at Paraggi too. You can also walk along the scenic road. Or take the boat from Santa Margherita or Rapallo, with seasonal timetables and subject to weather. The provincial road is narrow and parking is limited: driving is not worth it.

Town rules. In recent years Portofino has issued ordinances against loitering and beachwear in the centre, such as swimsuits and going topless. Enter the village dressed and check the rules in force before you go.

Weather and sea. In rough seas the stairs are slippery and swimming is not advised. Check the Portofino weather and carry water. Want more facilities? Go to Paraggi, or to Rapallo beyond the headland. For the rest of the coast see the guide to the Gulf of Tigullio.