Beach clubs in Portofino

The beach clubs in Portofino aren't really in Portofino. The village has almost no sand, so the scene sits a kilometre west in the Baia di Paraggi, a small green cove toward Santa Margherita Ligure. Four private clubs ring the bay, and two of them wear fashion labels.

This is one of Italy's most expensive stretches of sand. High-season loungers run from about €80 for two at the back to €450 for a front terrace, with Dior at Bagni Fiore and Dolce & Gabbana at Le Carillon setting the top rates. The season runs May to September and peaks in July and August.

Locals call these places stabilimenti balneari, or bagni. They line a single cove around a small free public beach, so you can pay for a lounger or spread a towel on the sand for nothing. For more of the Italian coast, see our guide to Italy or the chic sands of Forte dei Marmi.

Does Portofino have its own beach?

Barely. Portofino's harbour is all rock and boat moorings, with only tiny scraps of sand. For a proper beach day you head to the Baia di Paraggi, about a kilometre west, where the four clubs sit on the cove's green-tinged water.

That cove is where Bagni Fiore, Le Carillon and Bagni Bosetti set their loungers, around a small free public beach in the middle. It's the closest thing to a beach that the Portofino name gives you.

Which Portofino beach club has Dior?

Bagni Fiore is the one with the Dior connection. The French house has run summer takeovers here, dressing the loungers, cabins and bar in its prints. Next door, Le Carillon plays the same game with Dolce & Gabbana, which redressed the club in its Verde Maiolica pattern.

Bagni Fiore

Bagni Fiore has been on the Bay of Paraggi since 1927, and it's the name everyone knows. Dior has taken it over for summer runs, styling the cabins, loungers and bar, and the celebrity crowd has followed since the Elizabeth Taylor days.

Sunbeds, umbrellas and towels come with two restaurants on the sand, the club's own Fiore and Belmond's Langosteria Paraggi, plus a bar and water sports. You can rent SUPs and kayaks or book a diving lesson. Several terraces look out over the bay, one straight across to Portofino.

A day for two starts around €80 at the back and climbs past €400 for the front sea terraces, so it's the priciest sand on the bay. Booking is by phone only, and the day runs about 9am to 7pm. €€€ pricing.

Le Carillon

Le Carillon has been a Paraggi institution since the 1930s, back when Sinatra, Bardot and the Agnelli family passed through. Dolce & Gabbana redressed it in the Verde Maiolica print, and a teak deck now hangs out over the water.

It works as a waterfront restaurant, Vesta Portofino, by day and a disco club after dark. There's a D&G pop-up boutique on site if you want the full label experience.

Two loungers and an umbrella run about €300 to €350 in high season, so it sits alongside Bagni Fiore at the top of the market. Book ahead for summer weekends. €€€ pricing.

Bagni Bosetti

Bagni Bosetti is the third of the private clubs on the bay, founded in 1925 and family-run until 2021, when Milan owners took it over. It's the more classic bagno of the group, less about fashion labels.

Cova Montenapoleone, the historic Milan pastry house, now runs the food and drink. Loungers, umbrellas, showers and changing cabins sit on the sand, with booking through Spiagge.it rather than the club's own site.

Reviewers report about €250 for two sunbeds and an umbrella in high season, in line with the rest of Paraggi. Reserve ahead in July and August. €€€ pricing.

Eight Hotel Paraggi Beach Club

Eight Hotel Paraggi is the private beach of a 12-room boutique hotel, a restored 19th-century villa on the bay. It's the quiet, exclusive corner of Paraggi.

A small stretch of sand comes with sun loungers, umbrellas, towels and a beachside restaurant. It's calmer than the neighbouring clubs because far fewer people can use it.

Access is reserved for hotel guests, so you can't buy a day sunbed here the way you can next door. The beach comes with the room. If you want Paraggi without the day-tripper crowds, this is the way in.

Frequently asked questions about Portofino beach clubs

How much do beach clubs in Portofino cost?

Paraggi is one of Italy's priciest beaches. Two loungers and an umbrella run from about €80 at the back of Bagni Fiore to €450 for its front terraces, with Le Carillon around €300 to €350 and Bagni Bosetti near €250. A free public beach sits between the clubs.

Do you need to book Portofino beach clubs in advance?

Yes, for July and August. The Paraggi cove is small and the clubs fill fast in high summer, so reserve a lounger ahead. Bagni Fiore takes bookings by phone only. Outside peak weeks you can often walk up, but a call the day before saves a wasted trip.

What is the best beach club in Portofino?

Bagni Fiore is the all-round pick, the oldest and best known, with two restaurants and the Dior link. For Dolce & Gabbana glamour and a deck over the water, choose Le Carillon. Bagni Bosetti is the more classic, slightly cheaper bagno on the same bay.

Is there a free beach at Paraggi?

Yes. A small strip of free public beach sits in the middle of the cove, between the private clubs. It gets busy fast in summer, so arrive early for a spot on the sand. Bring your own towel, since the free section has no loungers or service.

Do you have to be a hotel guest to use the Paraggi beach clubs?

Not for most of them. Bagni Fiore, Le Carillon and Bagni Bosetti sell day sunbeds to anyone who books. The exception is Eight Hotel Paraggi, whose small beach is reserved for guests of the 12-room hotel. So three of the four clubs are open to day visitors.

When are Portofino beach clubs open?

The season runs roughly May to September, peaking in July and August. Most clubs open daily through the day, around 9am to 7pm, with Le Carillon carrying on as a disco after dark. Outside high summer expect reduced hours or closures, so check before you travel.