Best done by ferry — the coastline from the sea is the whole point
Leave early from Porto Antico Genoa and take the ferry along the coast. First stop: Camogli — walk the seafront, have a coffee, climb the steps above the main street for the view over the rooftops and the sea. Don't rush this. Camogli rewards slowness.
Board the next ferry to Santa Margherita Ligure — a quick stop to walk the elegant marina and grab lunch at Il Porticciolo Ristorante Pizzeria, right on the water.
After lunch, continue by ferry to Portofino. The approach from the sea, watching those painted facades emerge from the hillside, never gets old. Walk up to Chiesa di San Giorgio first — the view from up there before the crowds thin out is spectacular. Then climb further to Castello Brown for the panoramic view over the harbor and the coastline stretching in both directions.
Late afternoon, walk the trail toward Faro di Portofino — the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula. The path through the Parco Regionale di Portofino is quiet, shaded, and ends with one of the most dramatic coastal views in Liguria. Time it for sunset if you can.
Take the last ferry back along the coast, watching the Ligurian coastline disappear into the evening.
Pro tip: this route works even better if you mix it up — drive part of the way and explore the rest on foot. The coastal roads alone are worth it.
