Portofino and Santa Margherita tour from Genoa: Private driver

Portofino's harbor, Castle Brown's clifftop views, and Santa Margherita's fishermen's port in one day

A private driver takes you from Genoa to Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure on the Ligurian Coast, with hotel or port pickup included. You explore Portofino's main square and colorful buildings, climb to Castle Brown for panoramic views, stop for lunch, then walk the ancient port and baroque streets of Santa Margherita before returning to Genoa. The eight-hour tour suits travelers without a car or those arriving by ship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Castello Brown30m
2. Santa Margherita Ligure2h · entry included

Tour Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure

• Pickup from Genoa port or hotel
• Drive scenic route to Portofino
• Explore Portofino harbor and La Piazzetta
• Visit Brown's Castle for views
• Stop for lunch in Portofino
• Drive to Santa Margherita Ligure
• Stroll ancient fishermen’s port
• Explore Santa Margherita Ligure streets
• Return to Genoa port or hotel

The experience

Portofino is a fishing village built around a harbor ringed with vibrantly painted buildings, and La Piazzetta, the main square, sits at the center of it. A local driver picks you up from your Genoa hotel or the cruise port and takes the scenic route along the coast, handling the winding roads so you can watch the Ligurian landscape unfold. Once there, you have time to walk the quaint streets and explore the harbor at your own pace.

Castle Brown sits on the high part of Portofino and was built in the fifteenth century as a defense post. Now it offers the best views of the harbor and the cliff that shapes the coast. The climb is optional: some travelers skip it and linger in the square instead. After exploring, you stop for lunch (your choice of restaurant) and rest before the driver takes you to Santa Margherita Ligure, a short drive away.

Santa Margherita Ligure mixes ancient fishermen's houses with modern luxury hotels, and the town is known for its red shrimp, served in restaurants overlooking the port. You'll have free time to stroll the streets, visit the Sanctuary of Signora della Rosa if baroque architecture interests you, or simply sit by the water. The driver returns you to Genoa port or your hotel at the end of the day, so the whole route, travel time included, fits into eight hours.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• private driver for the full day.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Genoa.
• eight hours of travel and exploration time.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to8h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Guided Tours of Genoa

Is this one for you?If you're arriving by ship or staying in Genoa without a car, private pickup means you don't arrange separate transport to the coast. The driver meets you and handles the scenic route so you can focus on the villages themselves.

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Top questions

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 Portofino's harbor actually like when I get there?

Portofino is a small fishing village centered on a picturesque harbor surrounded by colorful painted buildings. La Piazzetta, the main square, opens onto the water and is where most visitors spend their time walking, photographing and sitting at cafes. It's one of Italy's most exclusive destinations, so it draws crowds, but the scale is intimate, not a sprawling tourist zone.

Can I visit Castle Brown, and is the walk difficult?

Castle Brown is optional and sits on the high part of Portofino, built in the fifteenth century as a defense post. The climb is steep and winding, but those who make it get the best views of the harbor and the cliff. You decide whether to go up or spend your time in the square and along the waterfront instead.

How much time do I have to explore each place?

The tour is eight hours total, including travel time from Genoa. You spend the morning in Portofino exploring the harbor and square, with time to visit Castle Brown if you choose. After lunch, you move to Santa Margherita Ligure for free time to walk the port and streets before the driver takes you back to Genoa.

What is Santa Margherita Ligure known for?

Santa Margherita Ligure is a working port town where traditional fishermen's houses stand alongside modern luxury hotels. The town is famous for its red shrimp, which locals and tourists enjoy in restaurants overlooking the port. The Sanctuary of Signora della Rosa, a baroque masterpiece, sits in the city center if you want to see it.

Is lunch included, and where do I eat?

Lunch is your choice. You stop in Portofino and pick a restaurant that suits you, then have time to relax and eat before heading to Santa Margherita. The driver does not choose for you, so you can pick based on what you're in the mood for.

How does pickup work if I'm arriving by ship?

The driver picks you up directly from the Genoa cruise port, so you don't need to arrange separate transport from the ship. If you're staying at a hotel in Genoa, pickup happens there instead. Either way, the driver handles the route and you're back in time for your ship's departure or your evening plans.