Portofino is effectively car-restricted: the road in from Santa Margherita ends at a small paid car park, and most visitors arrive by the ATP bus line 782 from Santa Margherita station or by the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio ferries. Both take dogs. On the ferries, dogs of any size travel on a leash and must have a muzzle available in a bag as required by Italian law; on the buses, small dogs travel free on a leash or in a carrier and larger dogs on a leash with a muzzle carried. The village itself is small and flat, so once you arrive most of it is walkable on foot.
Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo, San Fruttuoso · Portofino harbour jetty
The Tigullio ferry consortium links Portofino with Santa Margherita, Rapallo and San Fruttuoso and is the most scenic way to arrive. Dogs of any size are allowed on board on a leash, and by law you must carry a muzzle in a bag in case it is required.
The 782 bus runs the coast road from Santa Margherita Ligure railway station to Portofino in around 17 minutes, the usual way in without a car. Small dogs travel free on a leash or in a carrier; larger dogs travel on a leash with a muzzle carried, per the standard Italian public-transport rule.
The narrow road from Santa Margherita ends at a small, expensive paid car park just before the village, as Portofino itself is largely closed to through traffic. With a dog it is usually easier and cheaper to park in Santa Margherita and take the bus or ferry the last stretch.
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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