We will be traveling in Italy next month. We start out in Milan, and will be driving to the Cinque Terra first, but would like to stop in Portofino for a few hours before going to Montorossa. I did not see any driving instruction in Italy 2014, so could you please advise what exit to get off the A-12, and how to get to Portofino from there. We might decide to stop in Santa Margherita and take a boat to Portofino as an option. Please advise.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The Rapallo exit. Follow your nose to the harbor, then hug the coast the rest of the way around.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Thanks, Ed.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
If it is busy in Portofino, and likely will be next month, you may have to park in Santa Margherita and take alternate transport as they prevent you from driving into Portofino. So, your plan to stop there and take the boat is a good one, and one you may be forced to do anyway, so plan on it.
The drive down to Monterosso can be a long one, and windy.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16242 posts
I have driven to Portofino several times, the last time this past July. The exit is Rapallo. When you exit, follow the directions to Santa Margherita-Portofino. It's busy in summer and the road is narrow. There are also tourist busses to Santa Margherita (large buses are not allowed on the Portofino road. Once you pass the church on the piazza there there is the bus stop on the right. Continue 50 mts and on the left there is the parking structure (only residents can park in the piazza itself). The parking is not cheap. I think I spent €12 for about one hour. Spaces are really tight (hopefully you are not driving a large car) and there is usually a line to get in. Parking in SML and taking a bus is an alternative. Walking instead of the bus is another (long) option. Also the road is beautiful and I'm sure you'd like to take pictures. Unfortunately the road is narrow and there is no place to stop with the car along the road, so walking from SML is not such a bad idea (and with traffic, it might be faster than driving). It's about 4km (2.5 miles).