Local operator · Porto Antico
Five hours in total: the boat departs from the Porto Antico, in front of the Aquarium, follows the Ligurian coast to Portofino and leaves you two free hours in the village. It is a boat transfer with free time, not a guided tour: it is for those who want to see Portofino from the sea without driving.
Check-in is in late morning at the blue ticket office at the beginning of Ponte Spinola, in front of the Aquarium entrance. The boat follows the Ligurian coast and arrives in Portofino around noon. There you have two free hours: to eat, walk among the colourful houses, sit in the Piazzetta overlooking the port or go up to see Castello Brown, from the 16th century. Then you return to Porto Antico, still by boat.
The most important rule: by Italian law you must collect the paper ticket and receipt at the ticket office before boarding, even if you already have the electronic ticket. For this reason, the listing asks you to present yourself at check-in 30 minutes before. There is no pick-up at the hotel. The trip depends on the sea: with bad weather or rough seas the operator calls the day before to cancel it. The listing indicates the tour as not suitable for those with mobility difficulties. Some reviews make it clear: it is a boat transport, without commentary along the coast.
The price starts from $32 per person (GetYourGuide, October 2026), with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Lunch in Portofino is extra. The Aquarium is not included: the official fixed-date ticket starts from 26 euros online, between 26 and 34 euros depending on the date and time slot, and costs 34 euros at the ticket desk. The departure point is a stone's throw from the entrance: you will find it in the guide on how to get to the Aquarium.
Go to the blue ticket office at the start of Ponte Spinola, in front of the Aquarium entrance, and collect the paper ticket with the receipt: Italian law requires this even with the electronic ticket.
Board the boat and depart from Porto Antico, along the Ligurian coast.
The boat arrives in the village, in front of the port.
Lunch, a walk among the colourful houses, the Piazzetta on the port, the 16th-century Castello Brown: you decide.
Back on the boat along the coast to Porto Antico, where you started. In total, about 5 hours.
★★★★★Perfect for visiting Portofino. Two hours on the spot allow you to walk around the village and climb to Castello Brown to enjoy the magnificent view of the Gulf of Portofino. The boat was punctual both at departure and return. I recommend it.
★★★★★It is a normal ferry that takes you to Portofino, nothing special, but it is spacious and we were comfortable with the pushchair inside. [...] We arrived in 1 hour and 10 minutes, great, and we had exactly 2 hours to explore, which was perfect. Recommended!
★★★★★To be clear, there is no tour: it is a boat transport to Portofino. The view along the coast is beautiful. The boat is spacious, with seats inside and outside, in the sun or shade. You have two hours to explore the village. We climbed to Castello Brown for the spectacular view and had time to eat a sandwich. [...]
★★★★★A calm and relaxing crossing, a great alternative to visit Portofino, a beautiful village. There is plenty of time to walk around it.
Read:
Yes. Under Italian law you must collect the paper ticket and receipt at the ticket office, even if you already have the electronic one. The ticket office is the blue one at the start of Ponte Spinola, in front of the Aquarium entrance: arrive 30 minutes early.
Two free hours. Departure is in the late morning, arrival is around noon and then you return to Porto Antico; the trip lasts about 5 hours in total.
The listing does not include one: it includes the boat and the two free hours. Reviews confirm this, talking about a boat trip with a beautiful view of the coast.
The trip depends on the weather and sea: in case of bad weather the operator calls the day before to cancel it. The booking can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before.
Ready to book
The coast by boat from Porto Antico to Portofino, with two free hours in the village.
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