- 1In Portofino, the flat harbour piazzetta and its dog-friendly terraces, the open-air climb past the church of San Giorgio to Castello Brown and on to the Faro di Portofino lighthouse, the leashed park trail over the headland to the abbey of San Fruttuoso, and the coastal walk to Paraggi and Santa Margherita are within reach of every hotel on this list, good for morning and evening outings.
- 2Portofino is the iconic fishing village of the Italian Riviera, a cluster of pastel houses around a tiny, exclusive harbour on a steep wooded promontory in the province of Genoa, glamorous but honest work with a dog: there is essentially no dog beach and the coast is rocky and pricey, yet leashed dogs stroll the flat harbour piazzetta, climb to Castello Brown and the lighthouse, and hike the Parco di Portofino trails to San Fruttuoso, pets are a normal part of street life, café terraces, and local shops.
- 3The hotels on this list are all positioned for under-10-minute walks to off-leash zones in the flat harbour piazzetta and its dog-friendly terraces, the open-air climb past the church of San Giorgio to Castello Brown and on to the Faro di Portofino lighthouse, the leashed park trail over the headland to the abbey of San Fruttuoso, and the coastal walk to Paraggi and Santa Margherita. No busy road crossings, no logistics before the morning walk.
Best season: spring & autumn