Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Information
Tourist Office
(
www.apttigullio.liguria.it
; Via Roma 35; 10am-1pm & 1.30-4.30pm Tue-Sun)
Has
free trail maps for the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino and information on
mountain-bike rental, as well as seasonal sail- and motorboat rental.
Getting There & Around
By far the best way is to walk. A designated path tracks the gorgeous coastline for 3km.
ATP
(
www.atp-spa.it
)
bus 882 runs to Portofino from outside the tourist office in Santa
Margherita (€1.50, every 30 minutes).
ferries from Portofino to/from San Fruttuoso (€8/11.50), Rapallo (€7.50/11) and Santa
Margherita (€6/9).
Motorists must park at the village entrance, with obligatory parking fees starting from
€4.50 per hour (cash only).
Santa Margherita
POP 10,035
After the chaos of Genoa, Santa Margherita materialises like a calm Impressionist paint-
ing. You wouldn't want to change a single detail of its picture-perfect seaside promenade,
where elegant hotels with Liberty facades overlook million-dollar yachts in this favourite
fishing-village-turned-wealthy-retirement-spot. Fortunately, unlike in Portofino, you don't
have to be a millionaire to stay here.
Sights & Activities
Santa Margherita's idyllic position in a sheltered bay on the turquoise Golfo di Tigullio
makes it a good base for
sailing
,
water-skiing
and
scuba diving
. Those feeling less active can
simply stretch out on its popular
beach
.
Villa Durazzo
(
www.villadurazzo.it
;
Piazzale San Giacomo 3; 9am-1pm & 2.30-6.30pm)
Villa Durazzo is
Santa Margherita personified: an exquisite mansion and gardens that are linked to a 16th-
century castle overlooking the sea. You can take an aromatic stroll among lemon trees, hy-
VILLA, GARDEN
