In short
Savona is a Ligurian cruise port 50 km from Genoa: the Palacrociere terminal is by the old harbour, a few minutes' walk from the centre. Fly to Genoa, Nice or Milan, then take a train or transfer. Ships sail all year, most often in spring and autumn, usually for 7 nights.
Port at a glance
Savona
Italy
- Where ships go
- Western Mediterranean
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- Palacrociere by the old harbour, below the Priamar fortress
- Getting there
- Fly to Genoa, Nice or Milan, then train or transfer
Good to know: Savona and Genoa are different ports about 50 km apart — check the boarding port on your booking before you book a hotel or train.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Genoa or Savona? →A day in port on these routes: Palma de Mallorca · Valletta
Why Savona
- A terminal by the old town. From Palacrociere to the old harbour and the historic centre is a 5–10-minute walk, and the Priamar fortress stands right above the quay.
- A small town. The centre is compact, so your hotel is usually a few minutes' walk or a short taxi ride from the ship.
- A season all year round. Departures peak in spring and autumn, week-long cruises leave steadily in summer, and they carry on through the winter.
- The Riviera on the doorstep. Albissola with its ceramics, medieval Noli and the beaches of Finale Ligure are close by — easy to add a couple of days by the sea before or after the cruise.
Where cruises from Savona go
Schedules change every year, but the pattern is fairly stable. These are the main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Mediterranean | 7 nights | All year, busiest in April, May, October and November | Savona's signature route, for example Marseille, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Malta |
| Short cruises | 2–5 nights | Mostly in spring, especially April; sometimes in autumn | A taster cruise for a long weekend, or a ship moving to a nearby port |
| Eastern Mediterranean | A week or longer | Occasionally, mostly April and October | Greece and the eastern Mediterranean — only a few sailings, so look early |
| Canary Islands | More than a week | November | A way to stretch the summer into autumn, usually with calls in Spain on the way |
| Atlantic crossings | 15 nights or longer | October to December | One-way to the Caribbean or South America; you fly home |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Spring, the busiest season
April and May are Savona's peak months for departures, including short cruises of a few nights. 15–22°C by day, and the ports are still quiet.
Cruises in April →Summer on the Riviera
Week-long cruises leave steadily, though less often than in spring and autumn. Hot weather, and July and August mean school holidays and busy beaches.
Cruises in July →Autumn and long voyages
The second peak: the sea is still warm and the heat has gone. This is also when the long cruises leave, to the Canary Islands and across the Atlantic.
Cruises in October →Quiet winter
Fewer sailings, but week-long cruises carry on, and Atlantic crossings still leave in December. Around 10–13°C by day — weather for towns rather than beaches.
Cruises in December →Getting to the terminal
Savona's cruise terminal, Palacrociere, is made up of two connected buildings on the quay by the old harbour (Darsena), below the Priamar fortress. Several ships can be in port at once, so check your documents for the building and berth you need. Savona railway station is not by the sea: it is about two kilometres from the terminal.
- Flying to Genoa. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam, about two hours. Genoa airport is around 45 km from Savona by motorway: 40–60 minutes by taxi or pre-booked transfer. You can also go by train via Genova Piazza Principe, but with the change it takes longer.
- Via Nice. There are direct flights to Nice from Amsterdam and Brussels. From there it is about 1.5–2 hours by car along the coastal motorway, or 2.5–3 hours by train with a change in Ventimiglia.
- Via Milan. Milan has the most flights, from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels. Some trains run direct from Milano Centrale to Savona, from 2 hours 20 minutes; others change in Genoa and take about three hours. From Malpensa add about 50 minutes on the airport express — allow most of a day.
- By train from Genoa. Regional trains from Genoa to Savona are frequent and take 30–55 minutes. Handy if you fly into Genoa or stay there the night before.
- From Savona station. The terminal is about 2 km away: 5–10 minutes by taxi from the rank outside the station. Walking takes about half an hour — not much fun with suitcases.
- By car. Leave the motorway at the Savona exit and follow the signs to the cruise terminal. There is passenger parking in the Palacrociere area, but spaces are limited, so book ahead.
The night before: where to stay
Getting to Savona almost always means a change — a flight plus a train or transfer. A night in town takes away the risk of a delayed flight costing you the ship, and in the morning you are only minutes from boarding.
The old harbour
The Darsena with its boats, waterfront restaurants and the Torretta tower. A 5–10-minute walk to the terminal.
Via Paleocapa
The main street, with arcades, shops and cafés, close to the cathedral. 10–15 minutes on foot or a few minutes by taxi to the terminal.
Albissola
The neighbouring town just to the east, with beaches, a seafront promenade and ceramics workshops. 10–15 minutes by taxi to the terminal.
Genoa
More hotels and later flights. In the morning it is a 30–55-minute train to Savona plus a taxi from the station — leave with time to spare. Genoa guide →
If you have half a day in Savona
Everything below is close to the terminal, so it fits before boarding or after you disembark:
- The Priamar fortress. A huge sixteenth-century fortress right above the cruise quay. Its bastions look out over the sea, the port and the town; in the nineteenth century Giuseppe Mazzini was imprisoned here.
- The old harbour and the Torretta. The medieval Leon Pancaldo tower, Savona's symbol, stands at the water's edge, surrounded by seafood restaurants and boats.
- The cathedral and the Sistine Chapel. Savona's Sistine Chapel was built by Pope Sixtus IV — the same pope who commissioned the famous Sistine Chapel in Rome.
- Via Paleocapa and the Bell of Peace. Stroll under the arcades of the main street. Every day at 6 p.m. a bell at the war memorial strikes 21 times in memory of the victims of war, and the town pauses for a moment.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. A taxi to the station takes a few minutes, and trains to Genoa are frequent. From Genoa airport, avoid flights before midday; from Nice, before mid-afternoon, as the drive takes around two hours. If you fly from Milan, pick an evening flight: the train and the airport express to Malpensa take 3.5–4 hours, and Italian trains do run late sometimes.
Practical tips
- Savona or Genoa? They are neighbours but different ports, around an hour apart. Check your boarding port before you book a hotel or train.
- Lunchtime closing. Many shops in Savona close from about 1 to 4 p.m. — plan any shopping for the morning or evening.
- Transport strikes. Italian rail and airport staff strike from time to time, usually with a few days' notice. Check the news before you travel and have a plan B.
- One ship, several boarding ports. Guests often join the same ship at several ports on the route. When you compare sailings, look at the boarding port too — another city may suit you better.
- ID for everyone. Italy, France, Spain and Malta are in Schengen, but some routes leave the EU. If you do not hold a European passport, check entry rules for every country on the route in good time — what to check.
Or start in Genoa?
Genoa is 30–55 minutes away by train. It has more departures, its terminals are a six-minute walk from the station, and there is a direct flight from Amsterdam. If the Savona dates do not suit you, look at the neighbouring port. Cruises from Genoa →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Savona?
Mostly week-long Western Mediterranean cruises with calls in France, Spain, southern Italy and Malta. In spring there are plenty of short 2–5-night cruises, and in autumn and early winter longer voyages, including the Canary Islands and one-way Atlantic crossings.
Where is the cruise terminal in Savona?
The Palacrociere terminal sits by the old harbour, below the walls of the Priamar fortress, a few minutes on foot from the town centre. It has two connected buildings; your documents show where you board.
How do I get to Savona from the Netherlands or Belgium?
Fly to Genoa (there is a direct flight from Amsterdam), Nice or Milan. From Genoa airport to Savona is 40–60 minutes by taxi, from Nice about 1.5–2 hours by car, and from Milan 2.5–3 hours by train.
How far is Savona station from the terminal?
About two kilometres: the station is away from the sea and the centre. It is 5–10 minutes by taxi; walking with suitcases is awkward.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Savona?
Closest is the Darsena old harbour, within walking distance of the terminal. In the centre, choose Via Paleocapa; by the beach, neighbouring Albissola. If you land late, you can stay in Genoa and take the train in the morning.
Can I cross the Atlantic from Savona?
Yes, from October to December, when ships head to the Caribbean or South America for the winter. These are one-way voyages of 15 nights or longer, so you fly home.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Savona that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Savona dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.