Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver
Genoa, Italy

Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver

Outty Ranking 63 4.6 · 13 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $754
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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver worth booking?

Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver is a 8-hour experience in Genoa, Italy, from $754 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (13)
Duration
8 hours
From
$754 per person

Enjoy a day trip along the Ligurian Coast, visiting the unique village of Portofino and the charming centre of Santa Margherita Ligure. Whether you arrive by ship or are staying at a hotel, a local driver will pick you up, and together, you'll take the scenic route to beautiful Portofino, one of Italy’s most exclusive destinations. Explore the quaint harbor and La Piazzetta (the main square) with its colorful buildings. Take the winding road uphill to reach San George’s church or Castle Brown, which offer the best views of the stunning cliff that shapes the coast. Stop for lunch and relax before heading to Santa Margherita Ligure. Stroll along the ancient fishermen’s port, where traditional houses coexist with luxurious modern hotels. After some free time to explore the streets of “Santa,” as the locals call it, your driver will take you back to the Genoa port or hotel.

What you get

    About this experience

    Enjoy a day trip along the Ligurian Coast, visiting the unique village of Portofino and the charming centre of Santa Margherita Ligure. Whether you arrive by ship or are staying at a hotel, a local driver will pick you up, and together, you'll take the scenic route to beautiful Portofino, one of Italy’s most exclusive destinations. Explore the quaint harbor and La Piazzetta (the main square) with its colorful buildings. Take the winding road uphill to reach San George’s church or Castle Brown, which offer the best views of the stunning cliff that shapes the coast. Stop for lunch and relax before heading to Santa Margherita Ligure. Stroll along the ancient fishermen’s port, where traditional houses coexist with luxurious modern hotels. After some free time to explore the streets of “Santa,” as the locals call it, your driver will take you back to the Genoa port or hotel.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private transportation
    • Private driver
    • Hotel or Port Pick-up / drop-off
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Castello Brown EUR 5
    • Private guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. Marina di Portofino

      Portofino is a fishing village and renowned vacation destination celebrated for its harbor and vibrantly painted buildings, which contribute to its distinctive shoreline. Visitors can explore the main square, "La Piazzetta," and take in the panoramic vistas from Brown's Castle.

      120 minutes here

    2. Castello Brown

      Brown’s Castle is situated on the high part of Portofino and was used in the XV century as defense against enemies. From here you can enjoy a beautiful views of the harbor of Portofino.

      30 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. Santa Margherita Ligure

      Santa Margherita Ligure is considered unique for the presence of ancient styled houses and modern luxurious hotels. A product that distinguishes this town is the red shrimp, loved by the locals and enjoyed especially by the tourists in typical restaurants overviewing the port. In the city centre you can find the Sanctuary of Signora della Rosa, that is a masterpiece of baroque architecture.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 8 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Guided Tours of Genoa

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infant seats available, advise at time of booking.
    • Total Duration includes Travel Time

    Photos

    Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver, photo 2Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver, photo 3Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver, photo 4Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver, photo 5Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver, photo 6Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Pace and timing

    3 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Traveler reviews

    13 verified traveler reviews for Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    10
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    Timothy H · May 2026

    Private Tour is the way to go!!

    The private tour was so great!!! See so much and learn the history…highly recommend this company!!

    via Tripadvisor

    Victoria_G · May 2025

    Portofino

    Beautiful quaint villages… love Santa Margherita for pizza…..the employees worked so efficiently….great shopping everywhere …. very nice driver Andrea

    via Viator

    cjfilmlover · January 2025

    Solid transportation…don’t expect too much.

    We booked this tour as a convenient way to see Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure while on a cruise stop in Genova. It did provide all our transportation needs. The driver (Luca) picked us up at the port, had our name on a placard, so we knew he was waiting for us, drove us to Portofino and then to Santa Margarita, and then back to the port. So, all in all, it got the job done and we had a nice time. The negatives: the tour description indicated English-speaking driver. Our driver did not speak a word of English. This was not a problem for us, because it gave me a chance to try out my limited Italian, and we always think it's fun to learn and try to converse in other languages as a cultural immersion experience. However, if you absolutely want someone you can converse with in English, I wouldn't book with this company. Also, even though we tried conversing in Italian about the areas we were passing, the driver did not engage. He would smile and answer with one or two words, maybe a sentence, and then go back to silently driving. He obviously wasn't interested in being a tour guide, only a chauffeur. The only other negative was that, without warning, the company changed drivers and cars while we were sightseeing at Santa Margherita. So, when we walked back to the meeting spot, there was a completely different driver in a different car who saw I was looking around and called me by name. This driver, also named Luca, was able to speak English but provided no explanation really as to the change in drivers. Again, it wasn't a problem, just a little strange and unexpected. Finally, even though we weren't really done with our tour of the town, he insisted we get back because he said traffic was really heavy and he didn't want us to miss the ship. We of course agreed and we left, only to find there was absolutely no traffic whatsoever, nor was there any on my Apple Maps when we departed. I think he just wanted to be done with the tour and get back to his life. All in all, a solid way to get to these beautiful locations while in port but you can probably find a better company if you want 5-star service.

    via Tripadvisor

    Christopher_S · January 2025

    Solid transportation. Don’t expect too much.

    We booked this tour as a convenient way to see Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure while on a cruise stop in Genova. It did provide all our transportation needs. The driver (Luca) picked us up at the port, had our name on a placard, so we knew he was waiting for us, drove us to Portofino and then to Santa Margarita, and then back to the port. So, all in all, it got the job done and we had a nice time. The negatives: the tour description indicated English-speaking driver. Our driver did not speak a word of English. This was not a problem for us, because it gave me a chance to try out my limited Italian, and we always think it’s fun to learn and try to converse in other languages as a cultural immersion experience. However, if you absolutely want someone you can converse with in English, I wouldn’t book with this company. Also, even though we tried conversing in Italian about the areas we were passing, the driver did not engage. He would smile and answer with one or two words, maybe a sentence, and then go back to silently driving. He obviously wasn’t interested in being a tour guide, only a chauffeur. The only other negative was that, without warning, the company changed drivers and cars while we were sightseeing at Santa Margherita. So, when we walked back to the meeting spot, there was a completely different driver in a different car who saw I was looking around and called me by name. This driver, also named Luca, was able to speak English but provided no explanation really as to the change in drivers. Again, it wasn’t a problem, just a little strange and unexpected. Finally, even though we weren’t really done with our tour of the town, he insisted we get back because he said traffic was really heavy and he didn’t want us to miss the ship. We of course agreed and we left, only to find there was absolutely no traffic whatsoever, nor was there any on my Apple Maps when we departed. I think he just wanted to be done with the tour and get back to his life. All in all, a solid way to get to these beautiful locations while in port but you can probably find a better company if you want 5-star service.

    via Viator

    niluferm2023 · January 2023

    Day trip to Portofino from Genoa Cruise port.

    Hello - We recently cruised with MSC Cruises and at the port of Genoa used the services of a local taxi driver Andre. We did not have a reservation but once we disembarked, Andre was there with his taxi and we negotiated a rate of Euro 230 (+ tips) for Portofino, Santa Margherita and then he left us at the Genoa square and it was a 10-15 mins back to the cruise port. Andre was polite, professional, friendly and safe to travel with and accepts credit cards. Andre and his colleagues are usually outside the Genoa cruise port.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $754 to $1,500
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    5
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Guided Tours of Genoa, who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 49.0.

    See everything Guided Tours of Genoa runs

    Why this scores 63

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)76
    Review evidence (18% weight)47
    Booking momentum (14% weight)39
    Value for money (12% weight)53
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)44
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Genoa.

    How much does Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver cost?

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    Prices start at $754 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Genoa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver take?

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    Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Genoa is not rushed.

    Is Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Genoa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver?

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    Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Genoa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Genoa and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Genoa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Genoa?

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    On Outty we rank every Genoa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rooftop Cooking Class in Genoa: Pesto, Fresh Pasta & Wine, Genoa Small-Group Food Tour with Full Meal & Local Food Expert, Genoa Food, Wine Tasting & History Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Genoa?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Genoa?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver?

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    Included: Private transportation; Private driver; Hotel or Port Pick-up / drop-off; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Castello Brown EUR 5; and Private guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 79 listed pickup locations in and around Genoa. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Infant seats available, advise at time of booking. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Portofino and Santa Margherita Tour from Genoa with Local Driver?

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    Across 13 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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