Italian Riviera cruise planning authority
Your Gateway to the Italian Riviera
You are not dreaming of Genoa's cruise terminal — you are dreaming of the Italian Riviera. Colourful fishing villages, Portofino harbour, Santa Margherita promenade, Camogli's pastel façades and the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle await beyond your ship. Plan your perfect Riviera port day before you sail.
Choose Your Riviera
Which Italian Riviera experience are you dreaming of?
Passengers do not dream of Genoa's cruise terminal — they dream of colourful fishing villages, yacht-filled harbours and the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. Choose the experience that inspires you before you browse excursions.
Riviera Villages
“Explore Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli.”
- Portofino harbour & Piazzetta
- Santa Margherita promenade
- Camogli fishing village
- Colourful waterfront façades
- Coastal train connections
Taste Liguria
“Seafood, pesto, local cafés and authentic Ligurian cuisine.”
- Pesto alla genovese
- Focaccia di Recco
- Fresh catch of the day
- Riviera wine bars
- Waterfront trattorias
Picture Perfect Riviera
“The best photography spots, harbours and coastal viewpoints.”
- Portofino harbour angles
- Camogli pastel façades
- Santa Margherita lungomare
- Coastal cliff viewpoints
- Golden-hour yacht spotting
Riviera Lifestyle
“Luxury marinas, waterfront promenades and elegant seaside towns.”
- Portofino yacht harbour
- Santa Margherita marina
- Waterfront promenades
- Elegant seaside cafés
- Mediterranean atmosphere
Independent Explorer
“Travel independently with ferry, train and local transport advice.”
- Train to Santa Margherita
- Ferry to Portofino
- Camogli on your own pace
- Return buffer planning
- DIY vs guided advice
Signature Experience
🏆 Ultimate Italian Riviera Day
“Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli in one unhurried day — the experience our editors would genuinely recommend to a first-time cruise passenger wanting the very best of the Italian Riviera.”
Not our only suggestion — but the experience we would honestly recommend to a first-time cruise passenger who wants Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli with unhurried small-group pacing in a single port day.
Plan Your Riviera Day
Visualise how different combinations fit your port call
Select a day combination to see how time is typically spent at each village — and who each itinerary suits best.
Portofino + Santa Margherita + Camogli
The editors' pick — three beautiful villages in one unhurried day. Our Signature Experience Ultimate Italian Riviera Day delivers this with maximum eight guests and cruise-timed coastal pacing.
Typical time breakdown
- 1Coastal transfer to Portofino45–60 min
- 2Portofino harbour & Piazzetta90 min
- 3Santa Margherita promenade & lunch2 hours
- 4Camogli fishing village90 min
- 5Return to Genoa45–60 min
Return-to-ship reassurance
Every combination above assumes a 60–90 minute buffer before all-aboard. Summer coastal road traffic from Portofino can add 20–30 minutes — organised excursions build this into departure times.
- Short calls (under 7 hours): Camogli only or Santa Margherita — not three villages
- Standard calls (8–9 hours): Portofino + Camogli OR Santa Margherita focus
- Long calls (10+ hours): Ultimate Italian Riviera Day — all three villages
Start your Italian Riviera cruise plan
How would you like to experience the Riviera?
Choose the path that fits your port day, interests and travel style — each card leads to the most relevant planning guides.
Ultimate Italian Riviera Day
Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli — our Signature Experience for Genoa cruise passengers, maximum 8 guests.
Signature Experience →Portofino & Camogli
Glamour harbour and fishing village — the Riviera's best combo for first-time visitors and photography lovers.
Explore Portofino →Ligurian Food & Wine
Pesto, focaccia di Recco and fresh seafood — gastronomy as your port-day anchor on the Riviera.
Taste Liguria →Hidden Riviera
Camogli, coastal coves and village trattorias — uncrowded alternatives to the Portofino coach convoys.
Discover hidden Riviera →
Independent Explorer
Regional train to Santa Margherita or self-paced Camogli — manage your own return buffer from Genoa.
Go independent →Start here
Which kind of Italian Riviera cruise passenger are you?
Choose the option that fits your trip and we'll point you straight to the planning that matters most.
I'm visiting the Italian Riviera for the day on a cruise
You're calling at Genoa for the day. Find shore excursions, planning guides and a realistic Riviera itinerary from Stazione Marittime.
Plan my port dayIt's my first time on the Italian Riviera
Portofino or Camogli? Our first-timer guides and comparison pages help you choose confidently from Genoa.
First-timer guideI prefer to explore independently
Train to Santa Margherita, ferry to Portofino, manage your own return — when DIY beats a ship tour.
Independent guideI want a personalised itinerary
Tell us your hours ashore, interests and budget — get a tailored Riviera plan with return-to-ship timing.
Use the plannerEverything for your Riviera cruise
The definitive Italian Riviera cruise planning hub
Not just an excursion catalogue — the full picture from Genoa terminal to Portofino, Santa Margherita, Camogli and back to your ship.
Shore Excursions
Portofino, Camogli, Santa Margherita and Ligurian food — cruise-timed from Genoa terminal.
Browse excursions →02Riviera Cruise Planner
Answer a few questions — get a tailored itinerary with return-to-ship confidence.
Start planning →03Genoa Cruise Port Guide
Stazione Marittime terminal layout, taxis to Piazza Principe and coach pickup on arrival.
Port guide →04Cruise Ship Schedules
See which ships call at Genoa and plan around published arrival and departure times.
View schedules →05Riviera Planning Guides
Authority guides for Portofino, Camogli, food and every type of passenger.
Read guides →06FAQ
Genoa cruise port questions answered — timing, trains, excursions and return buffers.
Read FAQs →07Enquire
Ask about shore excursions, group sizes and availability for your Genoa port day.
Get in touch →Featured Shore Excursions
Premium, cruise-timed tours designed around your Italian Riviera port day.
Signature ExperienceUltimate Italian Riviera Day
Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli — the Riviera's essential trio with expert coastal timing.
9–10 hours · Moderate
HighlightsRiviera Highlights Shore Excursion
Portofino and Camogli in one port day — the Riviera's essential duo with coastal road expertise.
8–9 hours · Moderate
Portofino & coastPortofino & Santa Margherita Shore Excursion
Glamorous morning, promenade afternoon — Portofino and Santa Margherita for your port day.
8–9 hours · Moderate
Cruise passenger snapshots
Real advice for real port days
First time on the Riviera
On 9+ hour calls, our Signature Experience Ultimate Italian Riviera Day combines Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli with maximum eight guests — the editors' pick for first-timers.
Read guide →Dreaming of Portofino
Allow 45–60 minutes each way plus 2 hours in the harbour. Coastal road traffic can add 20–30 minutes in summer — keep a 90-minute return buffer before all-aboard.
Read guide →Independent by train
Regional train from Genova Piazza Principe to Santa Margherita suits confident travellers on 8+ hour calls — see our independent guide for timings and return-to-ship advice.
Read guide →Portofino or Camogli?
Glamour harbour versus colourful fishing village — our comparison pages and cruise planner help you choose the right anchor for your hours ashore.
Short on time?
Camogli is 40 minutes from Genoa — the fishing village and beach suit shorter calls. Santa Margherita adds a flat promenade walk on 8+ hour sailings.
Build your personalised Italian Riviera cruise plan
Enter your arrival and departure times, interests and travel style — get tailored excursions, guides and a realistic day plan with return-to-ship confidence.
Start the Cruise PlannerItalian Riviera Cruise Planning FAQs
How far is Portofino from Genoa cruise port?▼
About 35 km — 60–75 minutes by coach or private transfer along the coastal road. Regional train to Santa Margherita plus bus or ferry adds connection time.
Can I visit Portofino and Camogli on one Genoa port day?▼
Yes on 8+ hour calls via organised combo excursions like Riviera Highlights or Ultimate Italian Riviera Day. Independent dual-village days are high risk on standard calls.
Should I book a shore excursion or explore independently?▼
Portofino combos benefit from coach timing and village orientation. Camogli by train suits confident independents — see our DIY vs guided comparison.
What is the best Riviera excursion for first-timers?▼
Ultimate Italian Riviera Day on 9+ hour calls — Portofino, Santa Margherita and Camogli with max 8 guests. Riviera Highlights if you prefer a group tour.
Where do cruise ships dock in Genoa?▼
At Stazione Marittime cruise terminal in the Porto Antico area. Coaches and taxis meet passengers at the terminal exit.