Portofino & Santa Margherita private tour from Genoa

Three coastal towns in one day, with a private guide steering the stops

A private eight-hour tour from Genoa to Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure with a local guide, private vehicle and driver, and ferry roundtrip tickets between Santa Margherita and Portofino. The itinerary is flexible: you choose how long to linger in each town, and time is built in for lunch or shopping. Pickup and drop-off happen at your hotel, cruise port or chosen location in Genoa.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Gulf of Tigullio towns

• Drive from Genoa to Rapallo
• Short stop in Rapallo
• Drive along coastal road to Portofino
• Stroll through Portofino harbor
• Admire Church of San Giorgio views
• View Castello Brown from afar
• Stop in Santa Margherita Ligure
• Visit Piazza Caprera and basilica
• Enjoy picturesque harbor
• Free time for lunch or shopping
• Return to Genoa with panoramic drive

The experience

Portofino sits at the end of a scenic coastal drive from Genoa: about 30 to 40 minutes by car. The route passes through Rapallo first, a town known for its fortresses and harbor life, where a short stop is possible if you want to step out. From there, the road hugs the coast to Portofino itself, the fishing village turned resort with its famous Piazzetta ringed by pastel-colored houses. A private guide leads you through the harbor, points out the Church of San Giorgio (which commands views over the water), and shows you Castello Brown from the outside. The ferry ride between Santa Margherita and Portofino is included in the booking, so you travel by water as part of the day.

Santa Margherita Ligure is the third stop on the return to Genoa. The town is framed by palm trees and painted facades, with Piazza Caprera and the Basilica of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia as its main landmarks. Because the tour is private and the itinerary flexible, you set the rhythm: if you want two hours in Portofino and one in Santa Margherita, that is your call. The same goes for lunch. You pick the restaurant and the timing, and the guide and driver wait. On cruise days, the return route can include a panoramic drive through Genoa's historic center before you are dropped off.

The vehicle is yours for the full eight hours, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian depending on what you book. Pickup happens from your hotel, your cruise port, or anywhere else in Genoa you name. All local taxes are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Private pickup and drop-off from your Genoa hotel, cruise port or location of choice.
• private official guide for eight hours in English, Spanish or Italian.
• private vehicle with driver for the full day.
• ferry roundtrip tickets between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 41 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Tour Travel & More

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want to set your own pace across three towns without following a fixed schedule: the guide and driver move with you, so a long lunch in Portofino or extra time browsing Santa Margherita does not throw off the day. A shared group tour locks you into set stops and timings. This one lets you linger where you want and skip what does not interest you.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

What is Portofino actually like when I get there?

Portofino is a small harbor town where colorful fishing boats and yachts crowd the waterfront, and the Piazzetta, the main square, is lined with restaurants and shops. The Church of San Giorgio sits on a hilltop overlooking the water, and Castello Brown, a restored fortress, stands above the harbor. It is walkable and compact, so you can cover the main sights in a couple of hours on foot.

How much time do I actually spend in each town?

That is up to you. The tour is eight hours total, including the drive from Genoa (30 to 40 minutes each way) and the ferry ride between Santa Margherita and Portofino. The guide and driver adjust the stops to fit your pace, whether you want a quick look or a long lunch and browse through the shops.

Is the ferry ride included, or do I pay extra?

The ferry roundtrip between Santa Margherita and Portofino is included in the tour price. You travel by water as part of the itinerary, not as an add-on.

What happens if I am on a cruise ship? How does the timing work?

Pickup happens at your cruise port in Genoa, and the return is timed to get you back before the ship departs. On the way back, the route can include a panoramic drive through Genoa's historic center before drop-off at the port, so you see more of the city.