Santa Margherita Ligure is a coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, positioned strategically between Genoa (30 km to the west) and the famous Cinque Terre (accessible by train in under an hour). With around 9,000 residents, it maintains an authentic seaside character despite its proximity to heavily touristed destinations. The town sits in a protected bay, creating calm waters perfect for swimming and a microclimate that keeps it pleasant year-round.
Santa Margherita's identity balances classic Italian Riviera charm with genuine accessibility and authenticity. The pastel-colored buildings lining the waterfront create that quintessential Ligurian scene without the overwhelming tourist crowds of adjacent Portofino (just a 20-minute boat ride away). Fresh seafood dominates restaurant menus, prepared simply to showcase the morning's catch: anchovies, sea bass, octopus, and the local specialty trofie al pesto, made with Ligurian basil that grows on the hillsides above town. The town serves as an ideal base for coastal exploration while offering plenty of its own appeal: a pleasant beach, excellent gelato shops, and waterfront cafés where you can watch fishing boats come and go.
Come to Santa Margherita for authentic Ligurian coastal life at a more relaxed pace than the famous neighboring towns allow. The seafood is exceptional and reasonably priced, the waterfront is beautiful without feeling like a tourist trap, and the location provides effortless access to both Genoa's urban offerings and the Cinque Terre's dramatic coastal scenery. Stay a few nights to establish a rhythm: morning cappuccino facing the harbor, afternoon boat trips to Portofino or San Fruttuoso, evening aperitivo watching the sunset paint the pastel buildings in golden light. This is the Italian Riviera experience without the overwhelming crowds, offering exactly what you came looking for.
Private Boat Tour in Portofino
Cruise along the Riviera aboard a private boat while taking in breathtaking coastal scenery and the beauty of Portofino’s waterfront.
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Santa Margherita Ligure Food Tour
Discover the flavors of the Ligurian coast as you sample regional specialties and local favorites in the charming seaside town of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Private Walking Tour
Stroll through the elegant streets, waterfront promenades, and scenic viewpoints of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure with a private guide.
Private Shore Excursion
Explore three of the Italian Riviera’s most picturesque destinations on a private excursion through Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Camogli.
Best Airport(s)
Genoa (GOA), Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Looking for Airfare?
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Estimated Time (Airport → City)
GOA → Santa Margherita Ligure: ~40–70 min (car) / ~1h00–1h45 (train)
MXP → Santa Margherita Ligure: ~2h00–2h45 (car) / ~2h45–4h00 (train)
Looking to rent a car?
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Main Train Station
Santa Margherita Ligure–Portofino
Train Schedules & Fares
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Need transportation to/from the airport or train station?
→ Schedule a Private Transfer.
Quick Tip
This station is the easiest base for visiting Portofino without a car.
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Hotel Laurin
We stayed in a residential area in Santa Margherita Ligure on our trip. While we wouldn't recommend the place we stayed, we would stay at Hotel Laurin on our next visit here! The location is excellent - walking distance to great restaurants, the dock to catch the ferry to San Fruttuoso or Portofino, and the hotel overlooks the water. and it has all of the amenities you could need for a brief stay. If you are also looking to stay a night or two in Portofino, this apartment gets fantastic reviews.
Zi’ Ninella
As you stroll through Santa Margherita Ligure, you’ll see a lot of restaurants facing the water - you’ll get good people watching if you choose some of those options, however, you won’t get the food quality if you take just a few steps in from the main street and go to Zi’ Ninella. Once inside, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wine bottles and with aromas of some of the best seafood dishes in the city. If you can get red shrimp, this is one of the most delicious, buttery shrimp types you’ll ever have. Both the cold and hot starters are excellently prepared, and not too big to take away from the wonderful seafood pastas we recommend you try (the menu updates with what’s in season; we had a wonderful ravioli of 4 different types). The fish served as mains are the stars of the dish, such as the black cod. Don’t forget to finish off the perfect meal with a chocolate cake or tiramisù!
Delfino Pizza
When you’re craving pizza, this is the spot to be! We dined outside on the most beautiful spring day. The pizza menu is extensive - they have over 60 different options to choose from. When we typically order pizza at a restaurant, we always order 2 to share. We did the same thing here not knowing how huge these pizzas are! Just something to be aware of, in case you aren’t starving! Service is quick and streamlined. Arrive close to opening time as this spot fills up fast.
Panificio Pinamonti
Whether you are in the mood for something savory or something sweet, Panificio Pinamonti has it! From focaccia to specialty “cakes”, we spent several mornings trying new things! We recommend the torta di noci, crostata pistacchio, and the focaccia!
Da ö Vittorio (Recco)
A short 10-minute train ride from Santa Margherita Ligure, Da ö Vittorio is an institution in the comune of Recco. Known for their Focaccia di Recco, this restaurant serves up huge trays of their specialty. We were lucky enough to be given some to try from a nearby table that had an excess amount! For our meal, we opted for a seafood platter - some of the freshest we've ever had, pasta with salsa di noci (a creamy walnut sauce of the region), a local fish option, and two desserts, of course. This restaurant was so unique and we hope to visit again one day. Book ahead!
Pescefino (Portofino)
At the time when we dined here, Pescefino sat above the promenade, overlooking the water. A truly magnificent set-up of about 5 tables in a grassy area, reminiscent of a fancy picnic. We feasted on the delicacy that is the red shrimp of Santa Margherita Ligure, ate pasta with freshly-caught seafood, and a serving of grilled octopus with vegetables. It was so peaceful and such a memorable experience. It was reasonably priced, especially for Portofino prices, and lived up to the 5-star rating that it had on Google. Be sure to book ahead of time!
Gelateria Centrale
Located very close to Piazza Vittoria Vento, you can see Santa Margherita Ligure Cove from outside the store front. What better way to take a stroll down the shoreline than with gelato?! At Gelato Centrale, they specialize in chocolate-dipped cones (il pinguino). While we normally prefer to enjoy gelato in a cup without any frills, the cold, hardened chocolate was a must try! It takes a lot of willpower to not come here every day.
Gambero Rosso di Santa Margherita Ligure
These bright red shrimp (gambero rosso) are a delicacy from the Ligurian Sea, caught in the waters near Santa Margherita Ligure. Known for their sweet and buttery flavor, these famous shrimp are often featured in pasta dishes, risottos, or are lightly grilled. They are also delicious when served raw (crudo) with just olive oil and lemon. Next time you see these on a menu outside of this region, you will know exactly where they come from and how special they are considered!
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