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TravelGuide

Guide: Winter in Portofino

3 min

Portofino marina on a Christmas night, lined with glittering waterside restaurants casting reflections on the dark water.

The Ligurian coast doesn’t lose its picture-perfect charm during the offseason. Nautical glamour combines with festive cheer, where quiet streets are charmingly decorated with trees and lights. Read on to discover why Portofino is perfect for an authentic winter getaway.

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

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A couple in coats and hats gaze at Portofino's pastel edifices, seen from behind through the window of Gelateria San Giorgio.
Close-up of tableware at Dav Mare

Winter in Portofino doesn’t mean frost and snow. With mountains sheltering the harbour from northern winds, the region is a mild oasis where temperatures are never too chilly. Just picture it: sipping a good Italian coffee on a quaint outdoor terrace in the pleasant December sunshine. Life’s simple pleasures.

The Great Outdoors

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A man and woman walk together outdoors, smiling at each other. Trees and buildings are in the background. The photo is black and white.

December is the perfect time to hike or bike in Portofino Natural Park. Cherish the beauty and stillness of your surroundings, uncovering unique biodiversity at every turn. Or set sail on a private boat and explore the Ligurian coastline. Why not visit hidden San Fruttuoso Abbey, a stunning building reachable only by hiking or boat? With no summer crowds, these experiences are pure magic.

Dining the Ligurian Way

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View over the shoulder of a diner who lifts a slice of panettone from a plate of two, as a companion stirs coffee.
View of a dining room glowing and twinkling with festive decorations, with focus on a table filled with glasses and candles.

Celebrate the festive season in true Italian style, where Christmas is all about food, warm family feeling and time-honoured traditions. Experience a classic ‘Cena della Vigilia’ – Christmas Eve dinner – and learn about what goes into the perfect traditional Christmas lunch.

End-of-Year Party

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Warm-glow fairy lights adorn plant displays inside the dining room, with views through a large window out on to the marina.
woman twirling in a sequin dress

There’s no place more glamourous than the Portofino piazzetta to feast and cheer to the New Year. Dress to impress and prepare for the most sparkling night of the year – celebrations at Splendido Mare are always the crème de la crème.

IN THIS STORY

An aerial view of Portofino shows the elegance of the pastel buildings that cluster at the waters edge and dot the verdant hills

Splendido Mare

Portofino

Delve Deeper

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