★★★★★
The ferry, walk and pesto class
A walking tour, but not a tiring one, because the village is small. Lunch at the end, then a few hours of shopping before the ferry back.
Meghan K. · May 2025
Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch
Starts in Santa MargheritaWalk, pesto class, lunchMax 6 people
You meet your guide at the ferry pier in Santa Margherita Ligure and ride the public boat along the coast to Portofino. From the Piazzetta you climb to the church above the harbour, stop at a bakery for focaccia, then make pesto and eat it for lunch by the water. Six guests at most. The walk ends in the village, and you ride back when you choose.
A ferry, a climb, a class and a lunch
The ferry both ways is in the fare
Your guide hands out the tickets at the pier.
Up to the church of San Giorgio
The climb gives you the harbour from above.
Focaccia at a village bakery
A tasting on the way down.
You make the pesto, then eat it
Trofie al pesto, a glass of wine, water and coffee.
4.9 from 133 reviews
The most-reviewed way to see the village on foot.
$261 a person
Bookings start at two; up to six in a group.
Why arrive by the ferry
Many visitors reach Portofino on the public ferry from Santa Margherita, and this morning starts on that boat. The guide meets you at the pier with your tickets, and the ride along the coast takes about half an hour.
From the water you see the painted fronts of the harbour appear round the point. You step off close to the Piazzetta, the square at the head of the harbour. The return ticket is yours to use later the same day.
Up to San Giorgio
The walk climbs from the harbour to the church of San Giorgio on the cliff. It is a short climb, but it is uphill on old paths, so wear comfortable shoes. From the top you look down on the roofs, the boats and the bay.
The church was first built in 1154. War destroyed it four times, and the village rebuilt it each time. Sailors brought back relics of Saint George, and they lie under the high altar. Entry is free in daylight.
Focaccia, pesto and lunch
On the way down you stop at a local bakery to taste focaccia, the flat Ligurian bread. Then comes the class. You make pesto from scratch, with the guide showing you each step.
Lunch follows on the harbour: trofie, the short twisted pasta, with the pesto, a glass of wine, water and coffee. The meal is vegetarian. One recent guest had gluten-free pasta and bread made without fuss, so ask when you book.
Your afternoon, your ferry
The guided part ends in Portofino, about two and a half hours after you land. After that, the village is yours. You might walk out towards the lighthouse, visit the castle above the harbour, or sit in the Piazzetta with a gelato.
When you are ready, take any ferry back to Santa Margherita the same day. The fare is $261 per person, bookings of two, with a minimum of two per booking. Children pay the child rate only when two paying adults come along.
Your three hours, stop by stop
- Santa Margherita ferry pier, morning. Meet the guide, who holds a sign and your tickets.
- The ferry to Portofino, about 30 minutes. Along the coast to the Piazzetta.
- The climb to San Giorgio. The church on the cliff, and the harbour below.
- The bakery. A focaccia tasting on the way back down.
- The pesto class. You make the sauce yourself, step by step.
- Lunch on the harbour. Trofie al pesto, a glass of wine, water and coffee.
- Free time. The guide leaves you in Portofino; ride back when you like.
Who this suits: you want the village on foot, and a lunch you made
Book this if
You are staying in Santa Margherita or can reach it by train. You want a guide to explain the village, you like food, and you want the ferry sorted. It suits couples and families: a pushchair is fine, infant seats are available, and children join at a child rate with two paying adults.
Book something else if
You want a guide to yourselves: the private guided walk spends about two hours in the village, for $220 a person. If you are coming off a ship in Genoa, the bus and boat day handles the whole trip for $101 a person. The walk is not wheelchair accessible. Every guided walk is on Portofino Italy walking tour.
What the fare pays for, and what it leaves out
In the fare
- Return ferry tickets, Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino
- Professional tour leader
- Focaccia tasting at a local bakery
- Pesto cooking class
- Light lunch on the harbour: trofie al pesto, a glass of wine, water and coffee
Not in the fare
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- Entry to the castle above the harbour, if you visit on your own
Finding your guide on the Santa Margherita seafront
You meet at Piazza Martiri della Libertà 1 in Santa Margherita Ligure, in front of the ferry pier. The guide holds a sign with the company's name and has your ferry tickets. The start is in the morning; your confirmation gives the time.
There is no hotel pickup. Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino station is on the line from Genoa, about 45 minutes away by train. How the trains, the buses and the ferries fit together is on getting to Portofino. Where to sleep in the gulf is on where to stay.
Know before you go
- Book for two or more. The minimum booking is two people.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The climb to the church is uphill on old paths.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses and water. The walk is outdoors in the morning sun.
- Mention your diet. Lunch is vegetarian; ask about gluten-free when you book.
- Plan your ride back. The return ferry is any boat the same day, on your own.
- Watch the weather. Rough sea can cancel it; you get a new date or a full refund.
What travellers say about the pesto walk
★★★★★
The ferry, walk and pesto class
The restaurant made gluten-free pasta and bread without any fuss, and the pesto class was fun.
Kristy B. · May 2026
★★★☆☆
The ferry, walk and pesto class
Overpriced for what it was. The boat is the public ferry, and arriving by cruise tender left too little time to see the other town.
Lacrisha G. · June 2025
Frequently asked questions
Is the ferry included?
Yes, both ways between Santa Margherita and Portofino. The guide gives you the tickets at the pier, and you ride back on your own the same day.
What is for lunch?
Trofie al pesto, a glass of wine, water and coffee, on the harbour. The meal is vegetarian.
Can children come?
Yes. Children from 3 to 12 pay a child rate, but only with two paying adults. A pushchair is fine, and infant seats are available.
What if the sea is rough?
The walk depends on the ferry, so bad weather or sea can cancel it. You are offered another date or a full refund.
We'd rather be on the water. What else is there?
Look at the small-group boat from Portofino harbour. It rounds the lighthouse to San Fruttuoso and Camogli with a swim stop, plus €10 fuel in cash.
Can I cancel?
Yes. You get the full fare back if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead.
Other ways to spend a day in Portofino
Ready for the walk and the pesto?
Check the mornings still open for your date, with a full refund up to 24 hours ahead.
Check availability