Santa Margherita to Portofino

[Scubaaah]

Hello group! One of our port stops will be Santa Margherita and we're doing an excursion to Cinque Terre that returns at around 4-4:30pm. The ship doesn't leave the port until 8pm so we were thinking of fitting in a quick trip to Portofino. My questions are: do you think we'll have enough time to do that? If so, what is the best way to get to Portofino and back to Santa Margherita in time? Thanks for any info! 

[marazul]

Yes. Taxi. It's a short trip of about 10 minutes and there are buses and boats, but if you don't want to wait, take a taxi. About 10-12 euros.

Edited August 3, 2021 by marazul

[Scubaaah]

1 hour ago, marazul said:

Yes. Taxi. It's a short trip of about 10 minutes and there are buses and boats, but if you don't want to wait, take a taxi. About 10-12 euros.

That's great!! Thanks so much! 

[edinburgher]

it is also possible to walk between the two if you feel up to an approximate 5 kilometer walk. There should be info on this online if you search eg "walking  path  between SM and Portofino" 

 

And the short ferry ride if the timtable works for you. This is really scenic as you see both places from the sea and the arrival into Portofino is really pretty.

 

We actually liked SM a lot  more than we did Portofino and would have preferred more time there.  Portofino is really tiny and and an hour might be all that would be needed there..

[rdt10]

9 hours ago, edinburgher said:

We actually liked SM a lot  more than we did Portofino and would have preferred more time there.  Portofino is really tiny and and an hour might be all that would be needed there..

Agree. Portofino is also very expensive.

[Scubaaah]

Oh, thank you @edinburgher for that info! I visited Portofino many years ago but my husband hasn't. If SM is nicer/has more to see than we may skip going altogether. We won't have time for all three places and our excursion to Cinque Terre will take up most of the day. Any special places in SM that stand out in your mind that are a not-to-miss? 

[marazul]

The historic area of SM around the SM church is about a block or two from the ferry pier.  It's a couple of parallel streets about 3 blocks long.  There is more elsewhere, of course. 

I really would take a taxi to Portofino and walk around for an hour, including a walk to the church above the port.  If a ferry is there when you are done, take it back to SM.  The views from the ferry are great and it is a short ride. "Expensive" is not a factor if all you want to do is take a look and walk around. Portofino is in a beautiful setting and it is really a little jewel visually.

SM would be nice if you had several hours to spend. There are many good restaurants where you could have the real trenette al pesto. The huge Santa Margherita church is interesting and it has an amazing silver procession float.

 

[edinburgher]

As mentioned above, the church is worth a visit. See TA reviews and photos, but unfortunately on the day of our visit it was closed due to a funeral service taking place.  It sits in one of the most picturesque and colourful pizzas just off the seafront on Piazza Caprera.,which is a really pretty area to linger for a while.

 

It is only a 2 minute walk from the Tourist Info office  in the gardens on the seafront.

 

We wandered a little in the area of the church, enjoyed a coffee, then headed up to the VIlla Durazzo through the gardens which are not that attractive IMHO  although it isn't that much of a climb and the paths are easy but the views and photo ops at the top are worth going up for. (look for the signage to the entrance at the lower level or ask someone) We came down a different route, using the downhilll staircase (in front of the church  to the left of the villa as you look at it) to the seafront (passing the tiny church of the fishermen which was open so we popped in) then strolled back through some of the little streets just off the waterfront and promenade. That was all we had time for before our tour had to meet at the ferry dock to cross to Portofino.

 

Overall it is an attractive place to while away a couple of hours so you may not feel the need to go to Portofino.  It is also cheaper than Portofino for coffee, ice cream etc. and lots of lovely restaurants to choose from.

 

Whatever you decide to do, I think you will enjoy your time.

Edited August 6, 2021 by edinburgher