Be honest with yourself before you come: Portofino is not a beach destination for dogs. The village fronts a rocky, exclusive inlet with no real beach, and the one sandy cove nearby, Paraggi, is small and mostly divided into pricey private clubs where dogs are restricted, especially in summer. The genuine dog beach in the area is Bau Bau Beach on the road to Paraggi in the Santa Margherita municipality, a free pebble stretch with a dog shower and fresh water. Treat swimming as something you do at Bau Bau Beach, not in Portofino itself.
The area's dedicated dog beach, a free pebble stretch on the road to Paraggi just after the Covo di Nord-Est, set up by the Santa Margherita municipality with a dog shower and a fresh-water fountain. It is the one place near Portofino where a dog can actually swim during the bathing season.
Rules: Leashed access; carry bags and rinse water; observe the municipal ordinance
The only sandy cove between Portofino and Santa Margherita, and a beautiful one, but mostly carved up into expensive private clubs where dogs are restricted and often not allowed, especially in summer. Treat it as a place to pass through on the coastal walk rather than a swimming spot with a dog.
Rules: Dogs generally not admitted to the private clubs; check the small free section
Portofino itself has no beach: the village wraps around a rocky, boat-filled inlet backed by exclusive quays, so there is nowhere to swim with a dog in the village. Enjoy the flat harbour walk and the views, and save the water for Bau Bau Beach up the coast.
Rules: Rocky, working harbour; keep dogs leashed on the quays
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino
★★★★★ · 9.5/10
€120/night
Appartamento Vacanze, Portofino
★★★★ · 9.5/10
€120/night
Civico 3
★★★★ · 9.5/10
€120/night
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