This small fishing village on the Italian Riviera has bright-painted houses along its harbor. Local fishermen still cast nets daily near its 13th-century castle.
Camogli sits on Italy's Ligurian coast, where tall pastel-colored houses line the Mediterranean shoreline. Walk along the small harbor filled with wooden fishing boats, explore the 12th-century Castello della Dragonara, or stop at the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta with its baroque interior. From here, you can take a boat to San Fruttuoso Abbey, swim at the stone beaches, or taste fresh seafood and locally-made focaccia in family-run restaurants along the waterfront.
Getting to Camogli
The train station sits just steps from the waterfront, with regular connections to Genoa and the Cinque Terre. If you arrive by car, park in the upper town area before mid-afternoon, as the seafront lots fill up quickly during summer months. Boats connect Camogli with Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and other coastal towns.
The Colorful Waterfront
Multi-story houses painted in warm yellows, pinks, and oranges line Camogli's seafront promenade, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. These buildings display trompe l'oeil details around windows and doors - a tradition that helped fishermen spot their homes from the sea. In the evenings, locals walk along the promenade and gather at cafes for pre-dinner drinks.
Local Food Specialties
Local restaurants serve fresh fish caught daily by Camogli's fishing boats. Try the town's signature focaccia at Focacceria Revello, topped with onions and sage. Many restaurants serve pesto with trenette pasta, green beans, and potatoes - a traditional combination from this region. During the Sagra del Pesce festival each May, cooks fry fish in a 13-foot diameter pan and serve thousands of portions to visitors.
Beaches and Swimming
The main beach runs along the town's waterfront, covered in smooth stones. You'll find both beach clubs renting chairs and umbrellas, and free public areas. Swimming season typically runs from May through September. The Cenobio dei Dogi hotel has a private beach with sun loungers and changing rooms.
San Fruttuoso Abbey
Boats depart regularly from Camogli's harbor to San Fruttuoso, a 10th-century abbey nestled in a small cove between pine forests and the sea. You can only reach it by boat or on foot. Divers can see the Christ of the Abyss statue, placed 50 feet underwater. The hiking trail from Camogli to San Fruttuoso takes about two hours each way.
Walking and Hiking
Several marked trails begin in Camogli and wind through the Portofino Regional Park. The path to Portofino (7 miles) follows the coastline past olive groves. For a shorter walk, climb to the church of San Rocco, where you can see across the Gulf of Paradise. While the trails have steep sections, stone steps and handrails make them accessible for most walkers.
