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Major city · Italy

Santa Margherita Ligure

Use as a base for Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf: 2 nights let you walk the coast path, take a boat and eat well without the Portofino price tag.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Santa Margherita Ligure is the practical, less expensive gateway to the Portofino peninsula. It has a sandy beach, a 16th-century castle, a basilica and a promenade. Most travellers stay here and day-trip to Portofino (20 min on foot or by boat) rather than sleeping in Portofino itself. The town is also a stop on the Genoa–La Spezia railway, 45 min from Genoa.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot), Nov–Feb (many restaurants close)
Airport
GOA
Nights
2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Santa Margherita Ligure: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
  • Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
  • Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
  • Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
  • Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
  • Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Santa Margherita Ligure113 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Santa Margherita Ligure, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee at a bar€1.20–1.50 (≈ US$2)
  • BeerBeer (0.4 L draught)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
  • Metro or bus rideBus ticket (urban)€1.50 (≈ US$2)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
  • High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per room€250 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Castello di Santa Margherita LigureBasilica of St. Margaret of AntiochiaVilla DurazzoCervara AbbeyPromenade and beach
Airports
GOA Genoa Cristoforo Colombo (42 km (26 mi); Volabus shuttle to Genoa Principe station, then train to Santa Margherita Ligure (about 1.5 h total))

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    12°C (54°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  5. May

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Nov (10 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Santa Margherita Ligure: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

12°C (54°F)

5°C (41°F)

8 rd

Feb

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

7 rd

Mar

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

8 rd

Apr

18°C (64°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

14°C (57°F)

8 rd

Jun

26°C (79°F)

18°C (64°F)

6 rd

Jul

29°C (84°F)

21°C (70°F)

3 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

21°C (70°F)

5 rd

Sep

26°C (79°F)

18°C (64°F)

7 rd

Oct

22°C (72°F)

14°C (57°F)

9 rd

Nov

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

10 rd

Dec

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walkable centre. Bus line 82 runs along the coast to Portofino and Rapallo (€1.50–2). Boat services (summer only) connect Santa Margherita, Portofino, Rapallo and Cinque Terre. Train station on the Genoa–La Spezia line.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Portofinogo

Door to door: 30 min

Walk the coastal path (about 20 min) or take bus 82 (10 min) or a boat (15 min, summer only)

Go early morning before the crowds; the path is easy but has some stairs.

Cinque Terrego

Door to door: 1.5 h

Train from Santa Margherita Ligure to Monterosso (about 1 h, change at Levanto)

A full day; buy the Cinque Terre Train Card for trail access.

Genoago

Door to door: 1 h

Train from Santa Margherita Ligure to Genoa Principe (about 45 min)

Aquarium, old town and pesto; a solid day-trip.

Rapallo

go

Door to door: 15 min

Bus 82 or train (5 min) or walk the promenade (about 30 min)

Castle, funicular to Montallegro and a larger town centre.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre near the station

Walk to everything; train noise is minimal after 22:00.

Seafront (Lungomare)

Quieter, with sea views; 10–15 min walk to the station.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
€90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
High
€150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 2 nights × €140€280
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120€480
Train Genoa airport → Santa Margherita Ligure (one way, with Volabus + regional train)2 × €15 · check€30
Boat to Portofino (return, summer)2 × €12 · check€24
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10€20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€83
Trip total≈ €229 per person per day, bed included€917≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee at a bar€1.20–1.50 (≈ US$2)
Pizza (margherita)€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
Pasta dish (seafood)€14–20 (≈ US$17–25)
Beer (0.4 L draught)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
Gelato (two scoops)€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
Bus ticket (urban)€1.50 (≈ US$2)
Train to Genoa (one way)€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe. Watch for pickpockets on the beach and in summer crowds. The coastal path is narrow in places; keep to the right.
  • Last trains to Genoa around 22:30; check the timetable.
  • Portofino trail is unlit after dusk: start the walk by 16:00 in winter.
  • Boat schedules shrink drastically outside May–September.
  • ZTL (limited traffic zone) in the old centre; fines for driving without a permit.

Emergency numbers

Police
113
Fire
115
Ambulance
118
European emergency
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Santa Margherita LigureSanta Margherita Ligure

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police113
  • Fire115
  • Ambulance118
  • European emergency112

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Genoa airport → Santa Margherita Ligure: about €15 (≈ US$18) (Volabus + train), about 1.5 h (check)
  • Taxi Santa Margherita → Portofino: €20–30 (≈ US$25–35)
  • Train Santa Margherita → Cinque Terre (Monterosso): about €5–7 (≈ US$6–9), about 1 h (check)

Say or show

  • Mi scusi — Excuse me (mee SKOO-zee)
  • Grazie — Thank you (GRAHT-see-eh)
  • Quanto costa? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KOH-stah)
  • Dov'è la stazione? — Where is the station? (doh-VEH lah stah-tsee-OH-neh)
  • Posso pagare con la carta? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah)
  • Il conto, per favore — The bill, please (eel KON-toh pehr fah-VOH-reh)

Emergency numbers work from any phone. 112 is the single European number.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Margherita Ligure. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot), Nov–Feb (many restaurants close) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Italy

Sources

Ask about Santa Margherita Ligure

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