Genoa & Portofino day trip from Milan: Mediterranean boat cruise

Walk Genoa's medieval heart, then drift by boat into Portofino's half-moon bay

A full-day tour from Milan combines a guided walking tour of Genoa's ancient harbor and cathedral with free time in two contrasting Italian Riviera towns and a boat ride between them. You'll see the medieval old town and Renzo Piano's renovated waterfront in Genoa, have lunch in Rapallo, then cruise to the glamorous fishing village of Portofino before returning by coach to Milan.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Genoa Cathedral2h
2. Castello Brown2h

Explore Genoa and Portofino coastline

• Guided walking tour of Genoa
• Free time for lunch in Rapallo
• Boat cruise from Rapallo to Portofino
• Free time exploring Portofino
• Return by boat to Santa Margherita
• Coach transfer back to Milan

The experience

Genoa arrives as the biggest medieval town in Europe, and the walking tour moves through its heart: the Ancient Harbor, renovated in 1992, and the narrow alleyways of the old town where a professional guide points out the Genoa Cathedral and the maritime history layered into the streets. After the tour, the day opens up. You have free time to eat and wander the colorful village of Rapallo on your own terms.

From Rapallo, you board a boat for a mini-cruise to Portofino, the half-moon shaped fishing village whose beauty has drawn writers like Guy de Maupassant across centuries. The boat ride itself is part of the journey, not just transport between stops. Once there, you explore Portofino at your own pace (the harbor, the pastel buildings, the cafés and shops), before the return boat carries you back to Santa Margherita, where the coach waits to drive you back to Milan.

The tour runs 12 hours total and includes the roundtrip boat ride, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a live English-speaking guide for the Genoa portion. Hotel pickup is available as an add-on option at checkout. Without it, you'll meet the group in central Milan. Times and the order of stops may shift due to traffic or operational needs, but the core route (Genoa walking tour, Rapallo lunch break, Portofino boat cruise) stays intact.

What’s included

• Roundtrip boat ride from Rapallo to Portofino.
• professional tour leader speaking English.
• air-conditioned coach.
• free time to explore Genoa, Rapallo and Portofino on your own.

Options for this experience

2 options

Standard TourGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Standard tour in English

Includes pickup from your hotelGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027English tour, hotel pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 12h, from € 129 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zani Viaggi

Is this one for you?Choose the option with hotel pickup if you're staying outside central Milan and want to avoid arranging your own transport to the departure point. The standard option works if you can reach the city center on your own. Either way, the 12-hour day is built around the boat schedule, so you'll have genuine free time in each town rather than a rushed sequence of stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Genoa Cathedral like, and will I have time to go inside?

The Genoa Cathedral, also called Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, is a landmark the guide will point out during the walking tour of the old town. The tour itself is a walking overview of the city's heart rather than a series of interior visits, so you'll see the cathedral from outside. Your free time after the guided portion gives you the chance to return to any site that caught your attention, including the cathedral if you want to explore it further.

Is the boat ride included, or do I pay extra for it?

The roundtrip boat ride from Rapallo to Portofino is included in the tour price. It is part of how you move between the two coastal towns and is not an optional add-on.

What is Castello Brown, and will I visit it?

Castello Brown is a landmark in Portofino listed among the attractions. The tour gives you free time to explore Portofino itself, so visiting the castle is up to you. It is not a scheduled stop with the group.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the meeting point, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup is available as an option at checkout. If you choose the standard tour without pickup, you'll meet the group in central Milan. If you add the hotel pickup option, the coach will collect you from your accommodation before heading to Genoa.