Camogli is a charming Italian Riviera fishing village set on a rocky outcrop on the Portofino Peninsula. Many of its colorful houses and buildings in the old town are decorated with Trompe L’Oeil painting. Its harbor is lined with shops and restaurants.
Plan Your Visit to Camogli
Camogli has a train station and can be reached by regional train from Santa Margherita Ligure in 10 minutes or from Genoa in half an hour. In late spring through early fall, Camogli is connected by ferry to those two towns and to Portofino.
Where to Stay:
- Cenobio Dei Dogi is a seaside hotel with a swimming pool, private beach, and restaurant with terrace.
- La Camogliese is a 2-star hotel near the main road along the sea.
- Villa Rosmarino, a 10 minute walk from town and the beach, is a boutique hotel on a hill with sea views, a swimming pool, and gardens.
- See more places to stay in Camogli.
Things to See and Do in Camogli
From the train station walk down the street through town to the sea, past colorful houses and shops. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of town and the coast. Camogli is mainly a place to relax and soak in the atmosphere.
- Stroll along the seaside promenade. The harbor is mainly filled with fishing boats (the yachts are moored in Portofino) and you can enjoy watching the boats and fishermen. Stop in the big square where kids play and people gather to chat or enjoy the view. There’s a carousel near the water, too.
- On a promontory near the edge of town are the ruins of Dragonara Castle and the 12th century church of Santa Maria Assunta. Also visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Wood, built on the site where legend says that the Madonna appeared in the year 1500.
- The Marine Museum has exhibits related to the maritime world, including paintings, models, and ships in bottles, one of which has a reproduction of Camogli’s typical houses, its port and sailboats. There’s also part of a German torpedo that sank the English Steamship Washington in World War I.
- During summer season there are excursion boat trips, ferries, and kayaks for rent. Several private beaches with amenities are open and there’s a section of free beach, too. You can swim in the sea or scuba dive.
- Choose one of the restaurants along the sea where you can have a seafood meal and enjoy the view.
- Several hiking paths start from Camogli including the trail to San Rocco and San Fruttuoso Monastery, the trail to Punta Chiappa, and a trail to Portofino.
- The Sagra del Pesce, a fish festival with fish cooked in a huge frying pan, is usually held the second Sunday in May. In the evening there’s a procession followed by a bonfire.
Places to Go Near Camogli
From Camogli you can visit San Fruttuoso, an isolated fishing village reached only by sea or a 3-hour hiking trail. There’s a path to the seaside resort town of Portofino on the other side of the peninsula or you can reach it by ferry or bus.
By train you can easily reach Genoa, Santa Margherita Ligure, and even the Cinque Terre.
Camogli is in Liguria, a narrow region that runs along northwestern Italy’s coast. See more places to go in our Liguria Guide and Map or get a Liguria, Bradt Travel Guide.
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