Genoa and Portofino Day Trip from Milan
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Genoa's UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Stroll through Portofino's charming harbor
- Visit the iconic Church of San Giorgio
- Discover the colorful houses lining the harbor
- Enjoy panoramic views from Castello Brown
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Milan to Genoa and Portofino
- Guided tours of Genoa's historic center and Portofino's picturesque harbor
- Free time to explore local attractions, shops, and restaurants
- Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
The biggest medieval town in Europe, Genoa maintains the charm of the ancient maritime republic. The Ancient Harbor renovated in 1992 by the architect Renzo Piano and the labyrinth of narrow alleyways in the old town are just two of the many attractions of this city. On arrival in Genoa downtown, a professional guide will show you the heart of the city on an inspiring walking tour.
Free time to expolore Portofino, the half-moon shaped sea side village, whose beauty has been narrated across the millennia by writers and poets such as Guy de Maupassant. The journey ends with the return by boat to Santa Margherita, where your coach will be waiting to take you back to Milan.
Free time for lunch and to explore the colorful village of Santa Margherita Ligure on the Tigullio gulf, nicknamed the Dolphins Gulf due to the large school of dolphins that are often spotted there. Here you take the boat for a mini-cruise to the charming fishing village of Portofino.
Meeting point
Start Location
Milan Visitor Center - Zani Viaggi, Largo Cairoli, 18, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the departure time and location in Milan prior to the tour.
- Be aware that the itinerary may vary due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Ensure you have a valid passport or ID for travel within Italy.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring cobblestone streets.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning coastal scenery.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- Times indicated in the program and order of the visit are subject to possibile changes due to traffic problems and/or organizational requirements to ensure full enjoyment of the tour.
Traveler reviews
Bummed
Big disappointment. Operator contacted us and said they had technical difficulties. Appreciate the early notice but very upset we could not take it
Genoa & Portofino
Beautiful seaside towns and churches; we felt we had plenty of time to explore the highlights and grab a bite to eat; waters were rough that day, but Monica and company worked with boat company all morning and managed to get notification of a last minute boat, allowing us to view the coastline, rather than travel by bus, which was so gorgeous. Monica was fun and engaging, as well as, knowledgeable with many tips and suggestions; great driving by Oscar- it ended up being a great day! Thanks all!
Taken for a ride!
Don’t waste your money! The tour guide continually gave conflicting information, did not use a microphone or give out ear phones during the tour resulting in not being able to hear him and causing us to miss the bus and being left stranded in Genoa. After calling Viator to find out what happened to our tour, he lied about the information he gave out to us. Viator only cares about the money and not customer satisfaction. We have taken many tours without a problem and were never left stranded. It cost us about $400 just to return to Milan and try to collect our belongings from the bus on its return. The bus DID NOT return to the drop off point as were told it would and where we waited for three hours only to return the next morning to be told it would be the next day to collect our belongings (which turned into 2 days), and we had to hire a taxi to get us there for another example of Viator’s poor performance, because now with more time wasted, we had to have the taxi driver rush us to the airport as we were in danger of missing our flight home. None of this is exaggerated. I have heard of other people with similar stories and I can see now that they were telling the truth. Do not use this company! You’ll be taken for an expensive ride and not the one you were planning on.
Fun tour of the coast
I enjoyed this unique tour. Our guide Mario was fantastic, very knowledgeable and interesting. He took great care of our group through the many parts of the day. We took a large bus from Milan to Genoa with a rest stop on the way. A local guide joined us in Genoa to guide us around the city both on the bus (due to weather) and walking. It was raining and we had to change plans a bit as the boats from Genoa to Portofino weren’t running. Mario got our small group of about 15 people instead onto a train to enjoy some free time for lunch in beautiful Santa Margerita, then a small crowded bus on the windy road to Portofino. We had some free time there to explore. It was a busy day but I’m glad I did it.
Not worth the price, no back up if boats cancelled
Not really worth for the price. I really appreciate our guide's efforts, but it was a rainy day and the boats were cancelled. So we didn't get to go on the boat and had to do a long trip on buses and trains. There should be a back up plan for days with bad weather.