Santa Margherita Ligure Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure

Take a holiday in Santa Margherita Ligure and discover the natural riches of Liguria, between the pristine nature of the Monte di Portofino and the beautiful Gulf. 

Santa Margherita Ligure is located on the Italian Riviera, in Liguria, on the eastern side of the Portofino Promontory, in the innermost part of the Gulf of Tigullio. There is so much to discover in this town, which has a strong tourist vocation. You can stroll through the gardens along the waterfront or amble along the town centre streets for some shopping, venturing along the old creuse, the narrow streets that rise from the castle to the Capuchin convent, up to the Church of S. Giacomo di Corte, or travel out to scenic villages, including Nozarego or San Lorenzo della Costa, in search of peace and quiet. One of the symbols of the city is Villa Durazzo. Built in the seventeenth century by the Marquis Durazzo on a panoramic hill, located in the central area of the town, the villa was enlarged with the addition of five outbuildings created by the new owners, the Centurione Princes. Since 1973, the villa and the park have been taken over by the local authority. The park around Villa Durazzo allows visitors to stroll and relax in the shade of ancient trees. The Italian garden, with its paths of rounded pebbles and sinuous flower beds bordered by box hedges, is adorned with fountains and statues in neoclassical style. The park is enriched by the presence of majestic live oaks, placed near the villa, as well as a large number of trees, some of them very impressive, and plant species from around the world.

Another symbol of Santa Margherita is the Castle. Built on the rock of San Temo, the small fortress was erected during the sixteenth century and was used as a bulwark against incursions by pirates and privateers. Today the building is open to the public and hosts exhibitions and cultural and artistic events. If you want to end the day with an excellent dinner of fish or other Ligurian specialities, Santa Margherita offers a wide choice of restaurants and pizzerias. Both on the waterfront and in the old town, you’ll find a myriad of venues that meet every need: from exclusive restaurants to trattorias serving traditional local dishes. Holidays in Santa Margherita Ligure are also an excellent opportunity to discover new and unique flavours you won't find elsewhere.

With the tourism boom of the 1960s, Santa Margherita became a magnet for the young, whose meeting place was opposite the Central Cinema to have a chat and plan the evening. Today the young meet on Piazza Martiri della Libertà, opposite the waterfront Gardens. On this picturesque town square, you’ll find a host of bars offering music, drinks and aperitifs in the open air, alongside bathing facilities and fully equipped beaches. The Riviera di Levante and its charm await you: check out our holiday packages to Santa Margherita Ligure today and get ready for a new exciting adventure!

B&B Hotels Park Hotel Suisse Santa Margherita Ligure
B&B Hotels Park Hotel Suisse Santa Margherita Ligure
4 out of 5
Via Favale, 31, Santa Margherita Ligure, GE
The price is £176 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£176
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (195 reviews)
"Lovely property and the food, service and pool were fantastic! Walking distance to town a huge plus. Gustav in the restaurant was especially friendly and provided excellent service."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

B&B Hotels Park Hotel Suisse Santa Margherita Ligure
Hotel Laurin
Hotel Laurin
4 out of 5
Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi 3, Santa Margherita Ligure, GE
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (724 reviews)
"Centrally located & very comfortable. Staff was excellent, very helpful in planning our stay. I would highly recommend & stay again. A little pricing but worth it!"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Hotel Laurin
Imperiale Palace Hotel
Imperiale Palace Hotel
5 out of 5
Via Pagana, 19, Santa Margherita Ligure, GE
The price is £569 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£569
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (390 reviews)
Excellent hotel
"Great service, reception,restaurant, room service, parking concierge, location, views."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Imperiale Palace Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sea View Terrace In Santa Margherita
Sea View Terrace In Santa Margherita
Santa Margherita Ligure, GE
Stay at this apartment in Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, cable TV channels and air conditioning. Popular attractions Paraggi Beach and Portofino ...
Maravilloso
"Excelente ubicación y vista; súper bien decorado. La terraza es espectacular. Definitivamente vale la pena."

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Sea View Terrace In Santa Margherita
Riviera Flavour Apts by Wonderful Italy
Riviera Flavour Apts by Wonderful Italy
Via A. Gramsci 1, Santa Margherita Ligure, GE
Stay at this apartment in Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an in-room espresso maker and air conditioning. Popular attractions Paraggi Beach and Portofino ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
"A very clean and attractive room in a spectacular building. It was quiet and well designed in a great area. I highly recommend this property to anyone. Cheers"

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Riviera Flavour Apts by Wonderful Italy
Sea View Terrace In Santa Margherita, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
Sea View Terrace In Santa Margherita, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
Santa Margherita Ligure
Stay at this apartment in Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Paraggi Beach and Portofino Marina are ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"Property manager was not responsive to our needs despite several attempts on our partWe had conflicting info regarding a parking spot assigned to the unit we stayed in; apparently there is NOT an assigned spot"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Sea View Terrace In Santa Margherita, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Santa Margherita Ligure

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
11
5 - Excellent 73%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Charming coastal town full of life and character with good transport connection to Milan, Portofino and Cinque Terre.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The most charming seaside town on the Italian Riviera, with delightful cafes & bars but none of the tacky shops which so often occupy such places. A pure delight & cant wait to return.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Elegant seaside resort which in my opinion is better than Portofino. Excellent walks up to Villa Durrazo and around the crescent by the seaside. The restaurant and cafe options are plentiful and There are easy transport links by train, boat and bus.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It was very busy The taxis are very expensive

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Cheaper travel to Genova airport by train from S. Magarita ligure to Genova Sestri Ponente station ( ticket bought only from rail station counter). Then the fly bus shuttle from Sestri station to Genova airport . every 15 min)Total of 6 EUR/ person

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely wee town , easy transport to near by villages and towns. Plenty of restaurants but not too commercial.

Cities near Santa Margherita Ligure