Traveling from Milan to Cinque Terre. Wondering if we should allocate 1/2 day in Portofino. Is 1/2 day plus overnight sufficient there? Thanks!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
I've been there many times, but never spent a night in Portofino. It's expensive and nothing much to do. It's just a fancy harbor with big yachts and lots of billionaires hanging around their boats or their villas. It's pretty to see, but a few hours are more than sufficient.
You don't say if you are traveling by car or train, but the train stops in nearby Santa Margherita. Then from the station you need a taxi or a bus.
If you are driving it's a good idea to stop a few hours on your way to the Cinque Terre. If you are traveling by train, since you probably have luggage, it might be a good idea to go straight to the Cinque Terre to your hotel, and go back to Portofino on a day trip while you are at the Cinque Terre. By train+bus it's less than one hour away. You can go there just for half a day, maybe for a lunch and a walk to the lighthouse. The beach at Portofino is a dump, so don't bother walking there. If you want a beach near there go to Paraggi, half way between S. Margherita and Portofino.
Posted by
OP
Dallas, TX
3 posts
Thank you, Roberto, for such helpful information! Regarding transportation, do you have a recommendation as to train vs. renting a car from Milan to CT? Also, may try to visit Siena. Is 1-2 days adequate there? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
A car is useless while you are at the Cinque Terre. It will stay parked the whole time. The train is the way to go.
The trip from Milan is easy by train. Some options from Milano Centrale station require no changes if your destination is Monterosso (the main village at the Cinque Terre).
But some people might still have a car based on where they are staying before and after the Cinque Terre.
Posted by
OP
Dallas, TX
3 posts
Thanks so much for the valuable advice! Sounds like a car would be an unnecessary headache in CT. You're the best, Roberto! Thank you.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
If you are interested in Siena, a day trip there from Florence is enough. A day trip from the Cinque Terre it's kind of a long way since you need to change trains a few times.
Some people like to spend the night there because they think it's a romantic thing to do.
The only time I spent the night in Siena was at a girlfriend's house who was studying there. I guess that was a romantic thing to do. Didn't see much of the city that night though.