Santa Margherita Ligure: Culture and Hiking Trails on the Promontorio di Portofino

Santa Margherita Ligure combines maritime history, distinctive religious buildings and excursions into the landscape of the Promontorio di Portofino. This creates a varied mix for your trip to Italy: you can explore the history of fortresses and churches, view works of art and personal mementos, or follow marked trails through olive groves, chestnut forests and Mediterranean maquis.

Castle, Oratorio and Basilica

The 16th-century Castello was built in 1550 to protect against frequent raids by Saracen pirates. The restored Castello is used for events, conferences and exhibitions. This means that, alongside its historical function, its present-day use is also a focus of any visit.

The Oratorio di Sant'Erasmo was rebuilt in the 17th century and has an 18th-century façade. Inside, many wooden models of sailing ships are kept. Sailors made these models by hand during long voyages. In June, the patron saint's festival is also celebrated at the Oratorio di Sant'Erasmo with a procession on the sea.

The Basilica di Santa Margherita Ligure was built from 1658 onwards on the remains of a 13th-century church. The basilica houses the relics of Saint Margaret of Antioch, the town's patron saint. The celebration of Nostra Signora della Lettera takes place on the last Sunday in July.

Villa Durazzo and Sacred Art

Villa Durazzo was built in 1678 as the summer residence of the Durazzo family. The villa houses the Museo Vittorio G. Rossi. There, the study of writer Vittorio G. Rossi has been reconstructed with his paintings, books and personal belongings. Another cultural highlight is the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Corte, built around 1582. It has a Baroque façade, three naves, rare polychrome marble and frescoes.

The Chiesa di San Giacomo di Corte also contains two significant paintings by Gerolamo Schiattino: one from 1848 depicting the Immaculate Conception and another entitled Maria Regina della Città. Anyone wishing to combine church interiors, painting and local history will find several different points of connection here.

Hiking in Parco di Portofino

Parco di Portofino has 80 kilometres of marked trails across an area of just over 1,500 hectares. The mild climate of the Promontorio di Portofino makes excursions possible all year round. Trail markers and a detailed hiking map also help less experienced visitors choose a suitable route. This allows you to plan according to your preferred distance and your own level of experience, without having to commit to just one type of hike.

The Valle dei Mulini hiking trail begins in Paraggi and follows a mule track through terraces, olive groves, chestnut forests and Mediterranean maquis. The landscape changes character step by step along the way. Bus services connect Paraggi with Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. You can take this connection into account when planning an excursion between the three towns.

Regattas and Choosing Your Accommodation

Santa Margherita Ligure hosts numerous sailing regattas for all categories. These include the Regate di Primavera with the Coppa Carlo Negri. When choosing a hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure, you can therefore consider whether the focus of your trip should be on the churches and museums, the hiking trails in Parco di Portofino, the connection to Paraggi or the maritime events programme. The verified sights and trails offer a range of themes, so you do not have to limit your days to a single activity.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Velva, Pedemonte, Genoa, Testana, Moneglia, San Colombano, Prato, Comeglio

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Genoa.