Why we recommend it
When you want coastal beauty without forcing everything through Portofino’s busiest corners, Discovery spreads the day across scenery, villages and breathing room.
Scenic Drives
Italian Riviera Discovery
A broader Ligurian day — coastal roads, village colour and time to breathe in the Riviera.
Duration: Approximately 8–9 hoursPace: ModerateWalking: Moderate — village walking and viewpoint pathsFrom €150 per guestBest for: Travellers who want more than one village and a scenic overview of the Riviera
Cruise suitability: Ideal for long port calls (8–9+ hours)
Italian Riviera Discovery is designed for passengers who want a wider sense of Liguria: scenic driving, carefully chosen coastal stops and enough free time to enjoy the atmosphere without turning the day into a checklist.
Leaving Savona, you follow the coast east through changing views of cliffs, harbours and olive-clad hillsides.
Stops may include a combination of Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli or similar Riviera towns depending on traffic, season and ship timing — always with the return buffer protected.
This is not an attempt to see everything. It is a curated discovery day that favours quality of light, pace and place over covering every famous name.
Expect photo stops, a lunch window and a calm return to Savona before all-aboard.
Itinerary
Stop 1
Departure from Savona
Meet at the cruise port and begin the eastbound Riviera drive.
Stop 2
Coastal village exploration
Visit selected Ligurian harbours and promenades with guided orientation.
Stop 3
Lunch and free time
Pause for a local meal and independent browsing.
Stop 4
Viewpoint and return
Optional scenic overlook before the timed return to Savona.
Highlights
- Scenic Ligurian coastal driving
- Two or more Riviera village stops when timing allows
- Photo viewpoints above the Mediterranean
- Flexible pacing for cruise passengers
- Return-to-ship planning from Savona
Included
- Savona port pickup and return
- Air-conditioned transport
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Scenic routing and village stops
- Ship-aware scheduling
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance fees
- Boat tickets if optionally added
- Gratuities
Return to ship guarantee
Return to ship guarantee: itineraries are planned around your cruise call so you are back in Savona with time before all-aboard. If an operational delay on our side causes you to miss the ship, we work with the local provider under the published return-to-ship assurance for that booking.
Getting there from the cruise port
Cruise ships call at Savona’s modern passenger terminal, a short walk or brief shuttle from the historic centre. For day trips toward Genoa and the Portofino promontory, plan roughly 45–75 minutes each way by road depending on traffic and exact meeting point. Confirm your ship’s all-aboard time — not merely the published departure — and aim to be back at the terminal 60–90 minutes early. Longer Riviera days need the larger end of that buffer.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Bring a camera — coastal light is the star of this day
- Ask your driver which village mix best fits your ship’s hours
- A longer call makes this itinerary more rewarding
- Return to ship guarantee: itineraries are planned around your cruise call so you are back in Savona with time before all-aboard. If an operational delay on our side causes you to miss the ship, we work with the local provider under the published return-to-ship assurance for that booking.
Editor’s note
Why We Chose This Excursion
Not every perfect Riviera day is a single famous name. Sometimes the better memory is a wider sense of Liguria.
Who it suits
Travellers who value atmosphere and photography over ticking one iconic box — especially on a long call.
What makes it special
The drive itself becomes part of the pleasure: cliff roads, changing light and stops chosen for the day rather than a rigid brochure.
Why it works for cruise passengers
Flexible village mix lets the team protect the return buffer when traffic or seasonal access shifts.
The experience you leave with
You leave feeling you have tasted the Riviera’s character — not only visited its most photographed square.
Excursion FAQs
Is Portofino always included?▼
Not on every departure. Some days emphasise a wider coastal mix; others include Portofino when timing and access allow. Check your confirmation.
How does this differ from Portofino & Santa Margherita?▼
The Portofino-focused excursion concentrates on those two harbours. Discovery spreads time across a broader Riviera impression.
