A small harbour, painted waterfronts and time beside the water are the appeal. Portofino and Santa Margherita reward an unhurried plan more than an ambitious coastal circuit.
Before you leave the ship
Check whether your itinerary names Portofino or Santa Margherita and where you will land. Cruise calls can involve tender boats; the final landing and tender timetable come from the ship. Santa Margherita is a separate town, so a visit to Portofino requires an onward plan.
Port and arrival references: Azamara: tender ports and access guidance.
Three ways to shape your visit
Portofino simply
Enjoy the harbour and lanes, with a café or lunch stop as part of the experience. A viewpoint walk is optional, not essential to appreciating the village.
Santa Margherita locally
Explore the waterfront and town without immediately moving on. It offers a broader everyday Riviera setting and can make a lovely low-pressure day.
A single coastal connection
Combine the two only when the transport and tender schedule leave comfortable room. Confirm the return independently instead of relying on a service running exactly when you need it.
A considered rhythm for the day
After landing, identify your return tender point. Spend the main part of the visit in one town, pause over lunch and add a short walk if conditions suit. Return to the landing area before the last available connection becomes your only option.
These are suggested approaches, not timed excursions. Work backwards from your ship’s all-aboard time, allowing for the complete return journey, port checks and any tender queue. Confirm transport, attraction opening and tickets for your own date.
If you have longer on land
A Ligurian stay gives you more freedom to enjoy coastal towns outside the busiest day-trip hours. Choose a base with workable luggage access and transport, especially if you intend to use boats or trains.
Pace, walking and access
Tender boarding, steep lanes and viewpoint paths are separate access considerations. Check assistance with the cruise line before booking an excursion that depends on getting ashore by small boat.
Your sailing checklist
- Confirm the actual port, berth or river mooring and the meeting point in your final cruise documents.
- Save the ship’s local contact details and clarify ship time versus local time.
- Agree the return plan, including what happens if transport or weather changes.
- Share mobility needs and check the full route, from gangway to attraction.
Make more of the days around your cruise
Tamar plans personal stays in Italy before or after your cruise. Share the sailing you have booked, the extra nights you have and what you would love to experience. The ideas above are editorial suggestions, not bookable shore excursions.
Explore Italy pre- and post-cruise stays · Tell Tamar about your land stay · Browse all port guides
Source review: 10 November 2026. Terminal arrangements, services and opening hours can change. Your cruise operator’s final instructions take priority.
Photograph: Domenico Farone / Pexels. Destination imagery illustrates the area; it does not identify your ship’s berth.
