Region
Greater Portland & Casco Bay, Maine
Greater Portland and Casco Bay combine Maine’s largest-city visitor experience with islands, coastal parks and neighboring towns. A Portland stay can anchor museums, restaurants and ferry trips, while a base outside the city may suit beach time or a wider driving itinerary. Choose the setting that matches your evenings as well as your days.
Maine's biggest city and its archipelago of working islands: restaurants that punch well above their weight, a brewery on every other block, and the Casco Bay ferries to Peaks, Chebeague and beyond.
For the onward journey between city and park, the Portland to Bar Harbor, Maine: Road Trip via Acadia compares a direct transfer with a Rockland–Camden stopover.
For a city break with time on the water, the 3 Days in Portland, Maine: Food, Islands and Lighthouses combines the Old Port, Casco Bay and a choice of Cape Elizabeth or another city day.
For the overnight-base decision, the Where to Stay in Maine: Portland or Bar Harbor? distinguishes a city-and-ferry stay from a park-centered Acadia visit.
For the transport decision, the Do You Need a Car in Maine? Choose the Right Trip shows which trips work around one connected base and which benefit from a rental.
Guides
Guides about Greater Portland
Casco Bay Lines: Islands, Ferries & What to Do
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland
Best Hotels in Portland, Maine: 15 Ranked Stays
Things to Do in Portland, Maine: 15 Ranked Picks
Things to Do in Scarborough, Maine: Ranked
Shopping in Portland, Maine: Streets, Art, Food
The Desert of Maine: What It Actually Is
Camping Near Portland, Maine: The Closest Sites
Destinations
Greater Portland destinations
Greater Portland
Portland
Maine's largest city - a working waterfront, Old Port cobblestones, and a food scene that punches well above its weight.
Greater Portland
Freeport
Flagship home of L.L. Bean, open 24/7 - outlets, a tidal river, and surprisingly good eating between the shopping.
Greater Portland
Cape Elizabeth
Home of Portland Head Light - Maine's oldest lighthouse - plus Two Lights State Park and the beach at Crescent State Park.
Greater Portland
Peaks Island
A fifteen-minute ferry from Portland: a car-light island of bikes, beaches and a working year-round community.
Greater Portland
Scarborough
Portland's southern neighbor, with Higgins Beach, Pine Point, Prouts Neck and the state's largest salt marsh.
Greater Portland
Falmouth
Upscale Portland suburb on Casco Bay - Gilsland Farm Audubon, the Town Landing Market deli, and Mackworth Island walks.
Greater Portland
Harpswell
Three long peninsulas of lobster shacks, tidal coves, and the Basin - Maine's most southerly fjord - south of Brunswick.
Greater Portland
Yarmouth
Home of the world's largest rotating globe at DeLorme, a walkable Main Street, and the long-running Yarmouth Clam Festival.
Greater Portland
Gorham
University of Southern Maine hilltop campus, Shaw Park's waterfall, and Narragansett-2 Beach on nearby Little Sebago.
Greater Portland
Westbrook
A former paper-mill city on the Presumpscot just west of Portland, with a riverwalk, a waterfall and a growing food scene.
Greater Portland
Windham
Little Sebago Lake beaches, the Mountain Division rail trail, and a suburban hub between Portland and Sebago Lake State Park.
Greater Portland
Buxton
Bonny Eagle Dam lake, Pleasant Point Park, and quick access to Portland and Sebago Lake from Route 202 westbound.
Greater Portland
Gray
Maine Wildlife Park - rehabilitated moose, bears, and bald eagles on show - plus Dry Mills and Cranwell Preserve access.
Greater Portland
New Gloucester
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village - the last active Shaker community in the US - plus Pineland Farms pastures and cafes.
Also in Greater Portland: Cumberland, North Yarmouth, South Portland
All DestinationsHotels
Where to stay in Greater Portland
$$$
Hotel
Freeport
Casa Alchimia
European-designed B&B in Freeport with exceptional breakfast, art-filled rooms, and gracious hosts. Walking distance to shops and restaurants.
$$$
Hotel
Scarborough
Blue Doors By The Sea
Six-bedroom beachfront rental steps from Pine Point Beach. Full kitchen, parking, WiFi. Perfect for families and groups on the Maine coast.
$$$
Hotel
Freeport
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast
Historic Freeport B&B with exceptional hospitality, gourmet breakfast, and free parking. Perfect base for shopping and Portland day trips.
$$$
Hotel
Scarborough
Charming Hideaway
Spacious private home in Scarborough with lake views, hot tub, and beach access. Perfect for families seeking a retreat near Portland.
$$$
Hotel
Portland
Peaceful Oasis on Munjoy Hill
Spacious 3-bedroom apartment on Portland's East End. Free parking, full kitchen, steps from beaches and downtown. 9.7/10 from recent guests.
$$$
Hotel
Portland
Pearl of Portland
Beautifully renovated two-bedroom apartments in Portland's walkable East End. Full kitchens, laundry, parking. 9.7/10 from guests.
$$$
Hotel
Portland
Knock on Wood
Spacious two-bedroom apartment in downtown Portland with full kitchen, fireplace, and pet-friendly policy. Walking distance to restaurants and attractions.
$$$
Hotel
Portland
The Cushman
Spacious 3-bedroom townhome in Portland's West End. Full kitchen, private entrance, steps from Victoria Mansion and downtown. Ideal for families and groups.
$$$
Hotel
Portland
The Brew House
Spacious one-bedroom apartment above a craft brewery in Portland's East End. Walking distance to restaurants, shops, and waterfront. 9.5/10 from 65 guests.
$$$
Hotel
Freeport
The Kendall Inn
Historic B&B in downtown Freeport with three-course breakfasts, thoughtful hosts, and a 9.5/10 guest rating. Steps from L.L.Bean and coastal Maine shopping.
$$$
Hotel
Portland
State of Charm
Two-bedroom apartment in Portland's West End, steps from downtown shops and restaurants. Full kitchen, walkable neighborhood.
$$$
Hotel
Jefferson
Clary Lake Bed and Breakfast
Historic Maine bed and breakfast 20 minutes from Camden. Homemade breakfasts, lake views, and gracious hosts in a charming countryside setting.
Restaurants
Where to eat in Greater Portland
$$$
Thai restaurant
Portland
Little Pig
Thai street food in a tiny Portland shop: grilled sausages, banh mi, and bold curries.
$$$
American
Portland
Wharf Street Yacht Club
Waterfront seafood spot in Portland's Old Port with a fun frozen drink program and killer oyster happy hour.
$$$
Contemporary American
Portland
Fore Street
Portland's Fore Street roasts over wood fire, serving daily-changing American fare with real smoke and skill.
$$$
German restaurant
Portland
Schulte & Herr
Authentic German home cooking in a tiny Portland room run by a German couple.
$$$
Restaurant
Portland
The Knotted Apron
French-inspired small plates and mains in a Portland neighborhood spot where the staff remembers your birthday.
$$$
Bistro
Portland
Isa Bistro
Seasonal New American bistro in Portland with brick walls, tin ceilings, and cooking that keeps regulars coming back.
$$$
Coffee shop
Freeport
Wanderlust Juicery and Café
Fresh juices, bagels, and waffles in a welcoming Freeport spot with vegan options and local art on the walls.
$$$
Asian restaurant
Freeport
Lily’s food cart
Lily's hand-rolled dumplings and scallion pancakes from a beloved Freeport food cart.
$$$
Restaurant
Harpswell
Iris Eats Maine
Harpswell sandwiches and salads made fresh daily, with a deck overlooking the water.
$$$
Restaurant
Freeport
Grande Burrito
Hand-rolled burritos in Freeport, massive, fresh, and done fast with a smile.
$$$
Farm-to-table
Portland
Bread & Friends
Portland bakery-restaurant with gourmet brunch and dinner. Try the pastrami biscuit.
$$$
Sandwich shop
Cape Elizabeth
Bite into Maine
Fresh Maine lobster rolls from a food truck at Cape Elizabeth's lighthouse park.
Common questions
Where should you stay for a visit without a car?
Portland’s peninsula is a useful starting point for a city-focused stay with planned connections.
Is Portland Head Light in Portland?
It is in Cape Elizabeth. Plan it as a coastal outing outside the city peninsula and label the town correctly in directions, listings and maps.