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Santa Margherita Ligure: when your ship stops here

A pirate-era castle, a villa with a 17th-century park, and a short trip to Portofino.

Facts checked Nov 6, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Santa Margherita Ligure is a town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, about 35 km (22 miles) southeast of Genoa, with 8,395 residents (31 July 2024). A cruise port guide says its harbor is used by fishing boats, ferries to Cinque Terre and cruise ships. Our sources do not say how ships anchor or whether passengers tender in.

Sources: Wikipedia: Santa Margherita Ligure; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Santa Margherita Ligure

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Villa Durazzo

    A complex of two patrician villas, a 16th-century castle and a 17th-century park.

    Tip: Our sources give no opening hours, so check on the day.

    Source: Wikipedia: Santa Margherita Ligure

  2. 2. The castle and the basilica

    The Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure was built by the Republic of Genoa in 1550 to defend against North African pirates. The Basilica of St. Margaret of Antioch was begun in 1658 on the remains of a 13th-century church.

    Tip: Both are in the town itself.

    Source: Wikipedia: Santa Margherita Ligure

  3. 3. Portofino and Paraggi

    Portofino, next door, has 379 residents, a small harbor with colorful buildings, and the 16th-century Castello Brown. Paraggi, about 3 km from Santa Margherita and about halfway to Portofino, can be reached by bus or boat.

    Tip: Our sources give no bus or boat times, so ask locally before you head out.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Santa Margherita Ligure; Wikipedia: Portofino

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Santa Margherita Ligure

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Santa Margherita Ligure, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 6, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Santa Margherita Ligure

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Santa Margherita Ligure on the way.

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