Adventurous Kate incorporates associate hyperlinks. If you are making a purchase order via those hyperlinks, I will be able to earn a fee at no further price to you. Thank you!
Ever heard of Camogli, Italy? This little seashore the town is one among my favourite gemstones in Italy — a ravishing beach the town at the Ligurian Coast that makes an excellent selection to Cinque Terre.
Situated at the western aspect of the Portofino Peninsula, Camogli is simply 15 miles from busy Genoa. It’s sufficiently small to talk over with on an afternoon travel from different Ligurian cities, however I feel it’s one of the crucial higher choices for a base on this a part of northern Italy.
Camogli (pronounced ca-MO-lee) is almost definitely my favourite the town alongside the Italian Riviera. That is an exceedingly delightful position to spend a couple of days — and whilst Camogli is well-liked by Italians, it’s most commonly unknown to global vacationers.
Camogli will get such a lot proper — beautiful properties, tightly packed in combination and painted in colourful hues of terra cotta, pistachio, and canary. A protracted, pebbly seashore, with neon turquoise waves to swim in. And such a lot of fabulous seafood eating places dishing up the catch of the day.
The brilliant colours of this the town helped fishermen to find their manner house. By the way, the identify “Camogli” is believed to seek advice from the fishermen’s better halves.
Even lately, I feel Camogli nonetheless feels extra like a fishing village than a regular Italian Riviera lodge. A super position to laze about, swim within the sea, and devour recent seafood. The most efficient issues to do in Camogli are all about taking part in los angeles dolce vita.
And when you’re up for exploring, it couldn’t be more straightforward to take day journeys to Cinque Terre, Rapallo, Portofino, and lots extra cities of the Italian Riviera. Let’s check out what this superb little the town has to provide!
This put up was once co-written by means of Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper and was once printed in January 2025.
No doubt, Camogli is among the very best seashore cities in Italy.
Highest Issues to Do in Camogli, Italy
Benefit from the gorgeous seashore
Camogli’s pastel-colored the town is house to a pebble and black-sand seashore that appears immediately out of a postcard. This seashore is rather huge for this type of small the town (to not point out higher than anything else you’ll to find in Cinque Terre), with a large house cordoned off for swimming within the shallow water of the Ligurian Sea.
There’s a good quantity of unfastened area the place you’ll lay down a towel and opt for a dip. In a different way, you’ll hire a solar lounger and umbrella from one of the crucial seashore golf equipment (bagni) alongside the seashore. That is extra comfy when you’re making plans on sticking round for a complete day because the seashore is stoney.
Be expecting to pay round €30 ($32 USD) in summer time and not more than €20 ($21 USD) in off-season. If the attendants quote you anything else upper, you’ll with courtesy negotiate. (I like first of all an incredulous “É vero?”)
Liguria makes the most endearing white wines!
Move on a wine-tasting revel in
Each and every area of Italy is a wine-producing area — even though it’s only a nonno making wine in his yard — and that comes with the Ligurian Coast.
This house is understood for its high-mineral white wines made out of Vermentino and Pigato grapes grown on terraces on steep coastal cliffs. Those grapes flourish underneath the limestone-dominant soil and Mediterranean local weather.
Nonetheless, Liguria’s hilly topography makes viticulture stipulations rather difficult. To understand the talent of native winemakers, you’ll join a private Ligurian wine tasting in the natural park.
Led by means of a sommelier, you’ll take a leisurely walk throughout the Camogli Herbal Park earlier than diving right into a tasting platter.
Portofino Herbal Park has shocking perspectives! By the use of Shutterstock.
Hike in Portofino Herbal Park
Get away into the herbal great thing about northern Italy on the shocking Portofino Herbal Park. This large park blankets the entire peninsula — no longer simply town of Portofino — and has greater than 50 miles of climbing trails that observe historic pilgrimage routes.
Portofino Park is roofed with Mediterranean scrub and crops with a scattering of hamlets, church buildings, and previous forts.
It’s lovely rugged at the entire, and it’s a good suggestion to have excellent climbing boots for the tougher routes. Your knees can even thanks for sporting climbing poles!
You’ll be able to hike independently when you’d like. Maximum routes have first rate signage, however in my revel in, the Italians aren’t precisely as thorough with indicators as, say, Central Europe or Germany. There are a couple of mountain cycling trails and guided coasteering actions.
And when you’d love to hike with others, this small-group tour of Portofino Park allows you to delight in nature with out having a look at a map. After selecting up focaccia, you’ll take the boat to Punta Chiappa, then observe the climbing path go into reverse to Camogli.
Seek advice from Camogli’s many church buildings
When in Italy, you’re solely ever a couple of yards out of your nearest gorgeous church. Camogli’s church buildings be offering a second of respite from Italy’s fierce summer time solar.
Get started on the Basilica Minore di Santa Maria Assunta (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta) which takes satisfaction and prominence on the north finish of the seashore. Don’t be fooled by means of the standard external – the nave is thickly clad with gold and marble.
The Sanctuary of Our Woman of the Wooden (Santuario di Nostra Signora del Boschetto) sits above the harbortown. It’s mentioned that the Holy Madonna gave the impression right here in 1500.
A tight uphill stroll brings you to the Church of the Sacred Middle of Jesus (Chiesa Millenaria). This historic church isn’t all the time open however the bay perspectives are well worth the hike.
Throw in your footwear and observe the By the use of San Rocco climbing path to the Parochial Church of San Rocco for unbelievable perspectives. It’s a large number of steps as much as the hamlet, so that you must convey your water bottle and a wide-brimmed hat.
Dragonara Fortress in Camogli, Italy, by the use of faber1893 on Shutterstock.
See the Dragonara Fortress
As soon as accountable for maintaining pirates at bay and in brief used as a prison, Dragonara Fortress now stands in partial destroy at the promontory.
Historians imagine this fortress was once constructed within the eleventh century, with additional fortifications added within the following centuries. Extraordinary truth of the day: the Camogli fortress even served briefly as an aquarium!
The fishes have since discovered a extra appropriate house in Genoa. Then again, whale gazing stays one of the crucial coolest issues to do in Camogli. This a part of the Italian Riviera sits in a cetacean sanctuary and chances are you’ll spot fin whales, sperm whales, and bottlenose dolphins from the fortress.
Dragonara Fortress additionally hosts native historical past and images reveals. It’s unfastened to climb as much as the piazzale and absorb panoramic perspectives and magical sunsets over the gulf.
Sure, Camogli is house to the arena’s biggest frying pan!
Dine on native delicacies
Eating in Camogli revolves round regardless of the fishermen unloaded from their nets that morning and freshly baked focaccia washed down with Ligerian wine. And I completely adore it!
A unique form of “thin” focaccia is produced within the house. The neighboring the town of Recco created a yeast-free flatbread full of stracchino cheese all over the twelfth century and it proved to be successful – nearly 1,000 years later it’s nonetheless going sturdy!
You’ll to find scrumptious focaccia di Recco at Revello, the place there’s all the time a line. Maximum eating places put their very own spin at the native focaccia.
All the village will get in combination each 2nd Sunday in Would possibly on the Camogli Fish Pageant, held in tribute to the consumer saint of fishermen. It originated all over the 2nd Global Battle when native better halves made choices to the Madonna to give protection to their husbands.
Be expecting fireworks, festive song, and fish cooked on the earth’s biggest frying pan.
The meals at Los angeles Ratonda — the view is identical view within the quilt photograph of this put up!
Seafood overlooking the seashore at Los angeles Rotonda
Seafood is very best eaten with a view of, neatly, the ocean. You’ll pay a surcharge to devour spaghetti al nero di seppie at the Italian Riviera’s seafront, nevertheless it’s value each cent.
Los angeles Rotonda is among the very best spots for a sunset cocktail in Camogli. This family-owned industry serves focaccia di Recco, octopus antipasto, and cocktails proper at the rocks with a view over the historical the town heart and the gulf.
Head to Los angeles Rotonda for sundown or make a complete day of it on the seashore membership. “The Seaside” and terrace tiki bar are open seasonally whilst the eating place remains open all 12 months.
Reservations at La Rotonda are a good suggestion in excessive season, however no longer obligatory.
Discover the Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Camogli is a in truth healthy position to spend an hour. Based by means of naval historical past knowledgeable Gio Bono Ferrari, the majority of the gathering is 146 fashions of ships constructed nearly solely by means of Camogli’s passionate seafarers.
Different pieces come with barometers, compasses, octants, and synthetic horizons. Many of those nautical tools have been donated by means of native sailors, fishermen, and marine engineers.
It’s open Tuesday via Sunday, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM. This is among the very best unfastened issues to do in Camogli!
San Fruttuoso from above, by the use of Shutterstock.
Seek advice from San Fruttuoso
San Fruttuoso Bay is tucked away at the rocky southern coast of the Portofino Peninsula. Getting there is a part of the journey – the one manner to achieve it’s on foot or by means of boat.
The climbing path begins close to Portofino and is downhill into town, and uphill for the go back. Boat services and products perform year-round from Camogli and seasonally from different cities at the Ligurian Coast, together with Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Rapallo, making this a super aggregate day travel.
San Fruttuoso has a few attractions, particularly its Tenth-century abbey and a Sixteenth-century defensive tower. Then again, town’s celebrity attraction is getting out at the water.
You’ll be able to swim out to the Portofino Marine Park from San Fruttuoso’s pebbly seashore or hire a kayak. This safe house divides the Golfo Paradiso and the Golfo del Tigullio. It’s simply one of the thrilling issues to do in Camogli in the summertime!
Christ of the Abyss in Italy, by the use of Shutterstock
Christ of the Abyss
Pop in your snorkel masks and soar into the San Fruttuoso Bay for a peek at this submerged statue!
A bronze statue of Christ of the Abyss (Cristo degli abissi) rests at the seabed at a intensity of 17 meters. Carved by means of Guido Galletti, it commemorates the Italian diver Dario Gonzatti and those that died at sea.
If the statue seems to be acquainted, you’ll be considering of a an identical statue in Key Largo. If truth be told, the Key Largo statue is a copycat of its Italian cousin.
You’ll be able to with regards to see the statue when snorkeling at the floor. In a different way, unfastened diving or scuba diving brings you face-to-face. Portofino Divers runs tours all 12 months, with unmarried dives between November and April and two dives from Would possibly.
The Cinque Terre the town of Manarola is the easiest spot for sundown.
Take a travel to Cinque Terre
Camogli is a handy base for exploring the Cinque Terre — the famously picturesque 5 cities of Italy. You’ll be able to see all 5 of them in an afternoon travel from Camogli.
The quickest trains from Camogli to Monterosso al Mare, the primary the town of the Cinque Terre take one hour. Having an unbelievable seashore and being slightly flat, this northernmost the town is a superb possibility for individuals who don’t wish to stroll up hills.
The opposite 4 cities — Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore — are obtainable by the use of the Cinque Terre Categorical educate; boats additionally run to all cities however Corniglia. Vernazza and Manarola are in all probability essentially the most dramatic. Riomaggiore has the steepest hills within the area, whilst Corniglia is increased with a unique, quieter vibe.
It’s now conceivable to hike the By the use of dell’Amore (Trail of Love) between Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Cinque Terre is simply as impressive because the footage can have you imagine. Staying a couple of days is perfect however an afternoon travel covers the highlights. I like to recommend leaving Camogli early, beginning in Monterosso, then visiting Vernazza, adopted by means of Riomaggiore, and completing with Manarola simply in time for sundown.
From Manarola you’ll take the educate again to Monterosso, then transfer to a educate again to Camogli.
How A lot Time to Spend in Camogli, Italy
You solely want one complete day in Camogli to look the entirety. This the town is at the small aspect, and as you’ll see, it’s no longer overflowing with sights.
That mentioned — when you’re in search of a holiday base within the Italian Riviera, I feel Camogli is a brilliant contender, and greatly underrated for global vacationers.
It’s this type of calm little spot but fabulously attached to different villages and towns within the area. Santa Margherita Ligure is simply 5 mins away by means of educate, whilst Rapallo is 9. You’ll be able to mix the ones with San Fruttuoso and Portofino for a pleasing day travel.
You’ll be able to additionally do an afternoon travel to Cinque Terre, a climbing day travel in Portofino Herbal Park, or an afternoon travel to Genoa (now THAT is an underrated spot!). Your alternatives upload up temporarily when exploring the Italian Riviera!
The way to Get to Camogli, Italy
Camogli’s educate station is served by means of the road connecting Genoa and Los angeles Spezia. Trains from Genoa take round 45 mins, whilst the quickest trains from Pisa take two hours.
Of those towns, Genoa’s Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) is technically the nearest possibility for flying into Camogli. Then again, the Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) in Pisa has far more connections with different Eu towns.
A five-minute adventure at the Pisa-Mover shuttle brings you to Pisa Centrale, the place you’ll catch a educate to Camogli.
And when you’re visiting different hotspots in Italy like Rome, Venice, and Florence, you’ll simply attach your approach to Camogli by means of educate.
The waterfront is house to the great accommodations in Camogli.
The place To Keep in Camogli, Italy
Camogli’s very best accommodations are dotted alongside the waterfront close to the fortress, seashore, and harborfront eating places. After all, waterfront comes with top class pricing. You’ll be able to save a little when you keep a couple of streets away, however consider you’ll want to climb down a hill to get to the seashore and up a hill to get again.
Best-rated Luxurious Resort in Camogli: Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi has a waterfront surroundings with an enormous swimming pool going through the Mediterranean Sea. Elegant rooms function antique-inspired furnishings, some have a balcony or spa bathtub.
Best-rated Adults-only Resort in Camogli: Swanky suites on the Sublimis Boutique Hotel have charming sea perspectives via wall-to-wall home windows or non-public terraces. The educate station and seashore are mins away.
Best-rated Mid-range Resort in Camogli: Rooms and suites on the Carrick Hotel are accented with the similar colours used at the waterfront terraces. Head to the roof terrace for a jacuzzi or cocktail with a mountain view.
Best-rated Funds Resort in Camogli: Stroll to the entirety from the harborside I Tre Merli Locanda and look ahead to a soak within the sizzling bathtub after an afternoon at the seashore or native trails.
Find deals on places to stay in Camogli here.
Highest Time To Seek advice from Camogli, Italy
Summer time is THE time to holiday at the Italian Riviera! Whilst temperatures sizzle, Camogli’s swimmable seashore and delicate sea breeze stay issues extra comfy than inland towns.
Camogli is well-liked by Italian vacationers all over summer time however sees fewer global vacationers. Then again, it’s going to be busy and also you’ll want to pre-book a lodge and hustle for a place at the seashore.
If you wish to talk over with in the summertime however with fewer crowds, I like to recommend early June or past due September.
Spring and fall also are beautiful occasions to talk over with the Ligurian Coast. The ocean temperature reaches 64°F (18°C) by means of Would possibly, which is with regards to best possible walking-around climate.
The Sagra del Pesce competition on the second one Sunday of Would possibly is all the time nice amusing to revel in.
Camogli shuts down on the finish of October and a number of accommodations and eating places shut up for the wintry weather. It’s nonetheless very fascinating and you’ll revel in walking alongside the seafront, however you must know that a number of companies will likely be closed.
Mountaineering Portofino Park is among the very best issues to do in Camogli in off-season when it’s cooler.
I liked my time in Camogli, Italy!
Is Camogli Price It?
Camogli could be very a lot value it! I’m so happy I visited — and I in reality assume this is among the underrated so-called “hidden gemstones” that such a lot of vacationers are looking for in Italy.
Greater than that — I feel that Camogli provides vacationers what they’re anticipating to get in Cinque Terre, with fewer crowds and decrease costs. That proper there’s a large win.
I’m hoping you’ve gotten the most productive time in Camogli!
Extra at the Italian Riviera:
Making plans a Commute to Italy:
Cool Puts in Northern Italy:
3 Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
30+ Epic Issues to Do in Rome, Italy
The place to Keep in Rome, Italy
35+ Highest Issues to Do in Florence, Italy
The way to Spend 3 Days in Florence, Italy
The place to In finding the Highest Perspectives in Florence, Italy
Highest Day Journeys from Florence, Italy
16 Cool Issues to Do in Siena, Italy
16 A laugh Issues to Do in Pisa, Italy
14 Fab Issues to Do in San Gimignano, Italy
Parma, Italy: A Colourful, Artsy, Scrumptious The city
The place to Keep in Rome: Highest Neighborhoods and Lodging
3 Days within the Dolomites: A South Tyrol Getaway
The Immaculate, Bursting Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy
25 Highest Meals Studies in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
23 Highest Issues to Do in Bologna, Italy
30+ Highest Issues to Do in Venice, Italy
16 Cool Day Journeys from Venice, Italy
The way to Spend 1 Day in Venice, Italy
Information to Murano Island in Venice
Information to Burano Island in Venice
Cool Puts in Southern Italy:
28 Fabulous Issues to Do in Naples, Italy
16 A laugh Issues to Do in Sorrento, Italy
Tropea, Italy: A Spectacularly Positioned Seaside The city
The Joys and Demanding situations of Touring in Sicily
22 Stunning Puts to Seek advice from in Sicily
The place to Move in Japanese Sicily
23 A laugh Issues to Do in Palermo, Sicily
Entire Information to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
Aci Trezza: A Laid-Again Coastal The city in Sicily
Visiting Sicily within the Iciness: Price it or no longer?
17 A laugh Issues to Do in Bari, Italy
17 Cool Issues to Do in Matera, Italy
The Surprising Trulli of Alberobello, Italy
16 Fab Issues to Do in Lecce, Italy
Experiencing the Carpino Folks Pageant in Puglia, Italy
Have you ever been to Camogli, Italy? Percentage your favourite reports!
