Getting There
One to three trains per hour connect Santa Margherita with Genoa (25–30 min.), Camogli (5 min.), and Monterosso (40–55 min.) of the Cinque Terre.
Tigullio ferries (www.traghettiportofino.it; (tel) 0185-284-670) make hourly trips to Portofino (15 min.) and Rapallo (15 min.). In summer, there is a boat several days a week to the Cinque Terre. Hours of service vary considerably with the season; schedules are posted on the docks at Piazza Martiri della Libertà.
By car, the fastest route into the region is A12 Autostrada from Genoa; the trip takes about half an hour. Route SS1 along the coast from Genoa is much slower but more scenic.
Visitor Information
The tourist office is in Piazza Vittorio Veneto (www.smlturismo.it; tel. 0185/287-485). It's open daily in summer, with a lunchtime closure of an hour or so; winter hours are shorter.
Festivals & Markets
Santa Margherita’s winters are delightfully mild, but even so, the town rushes to usher in spring with a Festa di Primavera, held on moveable dates in February. Like the Sagra del Pesce in neighboring Camogli, this festival also features food—in this case, fritters are prepared on the beach and served around roaring bonfires.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
