Portofino Private Guided Tour from Genoa: 2 to 5.5 hours

Portofino harbor tour and ferry ride to Santa Margherita Ligure for scenic exploration

A private guided walking tour of Portofino with a licensed English or Italian-speaking guide, available as a 2-hour harbor walk, a 4-hour loop including Santa Margherita Ligure by scenic ferry, or a 5.5-hour excursion with roundtrip car service from Genoa. Bottled water and local treats are included. The itinerary can be adjusted to fit your schedule or ship departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Portofino and optional stops

• Start at Marina of Portofino
• Explore Piazzetta square and harbor
• Optional visit to Santa Margherita Ligure

The experience

Pick the version that fits your day. The 2-hour tour stays in Portofino itself: a guided walk through the Marina, where fishing boats and luxury yachts share the waterfront, and the Piazzetta, the small square at the heart of the village lined with pastel buildings, cafés and boutiques. If you have more time, the 4-hour option adds Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming town 5 kilometers away, connected by a scenic 20-minute public ferry ride along the coast. Coming from Genoa? The 5.5-hour tour includes roundtrip private car service from the port or city center, about an hour's drive each way, so you reach Portofino without arranging separate transport.

Your guide is a licensed local who speaks English or Italian and knows the village's history and rhythms. The tour includes bottled water and savory or sweet local treats. The cobblestone streets are steep and can be slippery in rain, and summer heat can be intense, so wear sturdy shoes and bring sun protection. Strollers and prams work for the flatter sections. Service animals are welcome. The itinerary is flexible. Tell the operator if you need to adjust timing for a ship schedule or other plans.

What’s included

• Licensed local guide in English or Italian.
• bottled water.
• savory or sweet local treats.
• private car service from Genoa (5.5-hour option only).
• public ferry between Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure (4-hour and 5.5-hour options).

Options for this experience

3 options

Two-hour Portofino tour onlyUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · 09:00, 11:00, 14:30 and 17:30Duration: 2 hours. This is just the right amount of time to take in the sights, take great photos and hear the stories of Portofino. Only Portofino: this option does not include a transfer from Genoa or from the Santa Margherita Ligure port. Free pick-up in Portofino: meet your guide at the port of Portofino, or ask for a complimentary pick-up from your hotel in Portofino. Starting point: 16034 Portofino, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy

Portofino + Santa Margherita, 4 hoursUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · 09:30Duration: 4 hours. The full tour lasts 4 hours and is filled with Ligurian beauty, local flavor and coastal scenery you will not forget. Portofino and Santa Margherita: start wherever you prefer, in Santa Margherita or in Portofino. A transfer from Genoa is not included in this option. Public ferry boat: take in the breathtaking views of the iconic villas perched above the cliffs between Portofino and Santa Margherita. Weather notice: if the weather or sea conditions are poor, the ferry is replaced by a local public bus service at no extra cost. Starting points: 16034 Portofino, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy; Santa Margherita Ligure, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy

Portofino day trip from Genoa, 5.5 hoursUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · 10:00Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes. The travel time between Genoa and Portofino is about 1 hour one way, and the total tour lasts at most 5 hours 30 minutes. Portofino from Genoa: a tour to Portofino from Genoa that includes a private transfer from the port of Genoa or from a hotel in Genoa. Private car or minivan. Starting points: Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy; Stazioni Marittime SpA, Ponte dei Mille, 16126 Genova GE, Italy

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (2 to 17 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MKT Viaggi

Is this one for you?Choose the 2-hour walk if you want to see Portofino's harbor and main square without a long time commitment. Add Santa Margherita Ligure on the 4-hour tour if you want two villages and the ferry ride is part of the appeal. Book the 5.5-hour option from Genoa if you're arriving by ship or staying in the city and don't want to arrange your own transport to the coast.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 17 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is the Marina of Portofino like, and what will I see there?

The Marina is a small harbor that has been the center of local life for centuries. Once a fishing port, it now mixes traditional boats with luxury yachts, and the calm water reflects the pastel-colored buildings lining the waterfront, creating the timeless atmosphere Portofino is known for.

Can I add Santa Margherita Ligure to a Portofino tour, and how do I get there?

Yes, the 4-hour option includes Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming town 5 kilometers away. You travel between the two by scenic public ferry ride that takes about 20 minutes along the coast.

If I'm arriving in Genoa, can I book a tour that includes the drive to Portofino?

Yes, the 5.5-hour option includes roundtrip private car service from Genoa port or the city center. Travel time to Portofino is approximately one hour each way.

What's included in the tour price?

A licensed guide in English or Italian, bottled water, and savory or sweet local treats are included in all options. The 5.5-hour Genoa option also includes the roundtrip private transfer.

Are the streets in Portofino easy to walk, and what should I wear?

Portofino's old cobblestone roads are steep and can be slippery when wet. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip. Summer temperatures can be high, so bring sun protection and a hat.