A Day Trip: Portofino and Its Neighboring Town Rapallo

Detailed Guide: A Day Trip from Milan to Portofino, Rapallo & Genova Starting from Milan by train, I arrived at Santa Margherita Ligure around 10:30 AM. There are two ways to get to Portofino: ❤️ Option 1: Take bus 782 right outside the train station. It costs €5 per person, and the scenic route is stunning—feel free to hop off for photos! You can buy tickets at the nearby tabacchi shop or pay by credit card directly on the bus. ❤️ Option 2 Search "Santa Margherita Ligure Statue" on Google Maps. It’s a 10-minute walk from the station, where you’ll find a boat ticket booth. Round-trip costs €18, one-way €11, with boats departing hourly. I chose the boat because my credit card wouldn’t work on the bus. Portofino is small with few "must-see" spots, but wear sneakers—you’ll be climbing and walking a lot! ✨ Highly Recommended: Castello Brown e Parco del Castello (€8 entry). It’s been a backdrop for many Hollywood films . ✨ Faro di Portofino is decent for broader sea views. There’s a café where you can sip an aperitif while taking in the scenery—mostly frequented by local seniors. ‼️ Tip: Portofino is pricey—even a basic pasta starts at €20. I grabbed a croissant and orange juice for €4 at a Santa Margherita Ligure café, brought some snacks, and only splurged on a €7.5 focaccia in Portofino. I ate it by the harbor, which was super relaxing. Skipped gelato here—it’s overpriced and hit-or-miss. 🌟 I spent 2-3 hours in Portofino, including breaks and eating. Afterward, I wanted to explore more towns, so I took a boat directly from Portofino to Rapallo ✨ Rapallo : Unlike Portofino, it has fewer "attractions" but is a chill, upscale seaside resort. Lounge on the beach, wander aimlessly, or just sit on a seawall like I did—spent an hour journaling, listening to music, and zoning out. By 5 PM, I’d covered both towns. You could head back to Milan by train, but I stayed in Genova and explored it afterward. #StudyInItaly #MyOffbeatTravelGuide #Portofino #ItalyTravel #Wanderlust #UnforgettableDestinations #EuropeanTravel #RapalloItaly #SlowTravel #TravelEnglish