Camogli: The Most Underrated Coastal Town in Liguria

1. Swim at Camogli Beach

Camogli’s beach stretches right along the town center, unusually long for this part of Liguria. It’s mostly small pebbles, which keep the water impressively clear.

It used to function as the town’s working harbor, tied to its fishing past, and still feels active today, especially in the early morning when swimmers and small fishing boats share the same waters.

While Camogli is absolutely underrated among tourists, Ligurians love it. This means that the town gets very busy during swimming season, but the lively atmosphere is part of the charm.

The beach is split between free and paid sections. At both ends, you’ll find empty space (if you arrive early!), where you can lay a towel and swim for free. In the middle, private beach clubs rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

Extra tip: If the beach feels too busy, Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi sits above it and comes with a great pool and sea views.

2. Walk along the promenade

Walking along the Lungomare di Camogli is one of the best things to do in Camogli, especially if it’s your first time here. Although, I have been to Camogli multiple times, and I still can’t get enough.

The promenade developed as Camogli shifted from a maritime economy to tourism in the 19th–20th centuries, when sailing fleets declined, and the town started to reframe itself as a coastal destination.

The colorful façades lining the promenade are a classic feature of Ligurian coastal towns, where homes were built closely together because space was limited. The green wooden shutters are another detail you’ll notice throughout Liguria.

There is also a local folk story that connects the name Camogli to “Casa delle mogli”, meaning “house of wives”. According to the legend, the colorful houses were painted so sailors could recognize their homes from the sea after long periods away.

As you walk along the promenade, don’t miss Punto Panoramico and Belvedere La Rotonda. Both are excellent viewpoints and among the best places to capture Camogli’s classic postcard view of the waterfront.

3. Explore the old town

Camogli’s historic center is small, which means you can easily explore on foot. The main street, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, runs from the train station towards the seafront and is lined with small boutiques, bakeries, gelato shops, and local cafés. 

If you’re interested in Camogli’s maritime heritage, stop by the Civic Maritime Museum Gio Bono Ferrari, which displays model ships, navigation instruments, and stories from the town’s seafaring past.

Before heading to the harbor, walk up to the Statue of Simone Schiaffino. Besides commemorating the local sculptor, it’s one of the best viewpoints in Camogli, overlooking the colorful waterfront, the beach, and the Ligurian Sea.

Don’t be afraid to wander off and explore the tiny side streets, either. That’s where I usually discover my favorite little treasures.

4. Try the local cuisine

One of the best things to do in Camogli is simply to eat your way through town. 

Thanks to its fishing heritage, seafood is the obvious choice, so don’t miss freshly grilled fish, anchovies, octopus, or a paper cone of crispy fritto misto. Liguria is also famous for pesto, fresh pasta like trofie, and, of course, focaccia.

While you’re here, make sure to try both traditional Genoese focaccia and Focaccia di Recco. Regular focaccia is thick, fluffy, and topped with olive oil and salt, while Focaccia di Recco is a thin, cheese-filled speciality from nearby Recco. 

If you have time, I always make the short detour to Ristorante Pizzeria Del Ponte Recco for the real thing. For classic focaccia in Camogli, Focacceria Revello is my go-to.

When it comes to restaurants, I’ve found myself returning to a few favorites. For an aperitivo with beautiful sea views, I love Osteria Delle 7 Pance. The food is good too, but I think the terrace is best enjoyed with a drink before dinner.

If you enjoy wine, don’t miss La Bossa di Mario. It’s an excellent wine bar with a carefully curated selection, and I am obsessed with their entire food menu as well.

For a quick and affordable lunch, Cooperativa Pescatori Pesce Pazzo is an absolute must. Their takeaway cone of freshly fried fritto misto is one of my favorite things to eat in Camogli.

Other restaurants I’d happily recommend include Il Doge and Fermento. If you’re travelling by car, it’s also worth driving a few minutes uphill to La Loggia, where you’ll be rewarded with excellent Ligurian food and beautiful views over the coastline.

Want to enjoy local life in Camogli? Join this Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli!

5. Visit Castello della Dragonara

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, Castello della Dragonara is one of Camogli’s most recognisable landmarks. Built in the 13th century, it originally served as a defensive fortress to protect the town from pirate attacks.

Today, you can walk up to the castle for some of the best views in Camogli. From here, you’ll overlook the colorful waterfront, the harbor, and the Ligurian Sea stretching into the distance. 

The castle itself is only occasionally open for exhibitions and events, but the views alone make it worth a visit. And who knows? You might even find it open.

6. Stroll along Molo di Camogli

Stretching out into the Ligurian Sea, Molo di Camogli is one of the best places to enjoy the town’s coastal views. 

On your way there, you’ll walk through a small archway leading to the pier. Don’t miss the view from here, as it’s one of the best places to frame the colorful harbor and one of my favorite photo spots in Camogli.

Continue along the pier for a different perspective of the waterfront, with the beach, harbor, and pastel houses all in one view. At the very end, you will find a small white lighthouse, a true picture-perfect moment.

7. Step inside Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta

The Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is one of Camogli’s most iconic landmarks, and you can’t miss its yellow façade from the promenade. Walk around to the back to find the entrance, then step inside to admire the richly decorated interior.

Inside, you’ll find marble columns, frescoes, gilded details, and a beautifully painted ceiling. The church has been at the heart of Camogli for centuries and remains an important place of worship for the local community.

8. Discover Piazza Cristoforo Colombo and Cuori & Nodi d’Amore 

Just behind the waterfront, Piazza Cristoforo Colombo is one of the liveliest squares in Camogli. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants, it’s a great place to take a break, enjoy an aperitivo, or people-watch.

A few steps away, you’ll find the Cuori & Nodi d’Amore. This fishing net is one of Camogli’s most recognisable landmarks, where visitors tie red hearts with names, messages, and memories as a symbol of love.

If you’re visiting Camogli around Valentine’s Day, this area becomes the center of the town’s famous San Valentino… Innamorati a Camogli celebrations.

9. Take a boat to San Fruttuoso

Tucked away in a small bay at the foot of the Portofino Promontory, San Fruttuoso is one of the most beautiful places in Liguria. Since there are no roads leading here, you can only reach it by boat or on foot.

The easiest way to get there is by boat from Camogli. The ride takes about 30 minutes and offers beautiful views of the coastline. Once you arrive, you can visit the historic abbey, relax on the small pebble beach, or go for a swim in the crystal-clear sea.

If you’re a diver, San Fruttuoso is also home to the famous Christ of the Abyss (Cristo degli Abissi), a bronze statue resting on the seabed just offshore.

You can also reach San Fruttuoso on foot. The trail through the Portofino Natural Park is beautiful but quite challenging, with plenty of uphill sections. Personally, I think the best option is to hike one way and take the boat back.

10. Visit other towns in Liguria

Camogli is a wonderful base for exploring the rest of the Italian Riviera. Thanks to its train station and ferry connections, you can easily visit some of Liguria’s most beautiful towns on a day trip.

If it’s your first time in the region, I highly recommend visiting Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, or Sestri Levante. If you have more time, head further east to Cinque Terre or Portovenere. 

I’ve put together a guide to the most beautiful towns in Liguria to help you decide which ones are worth adding to your itinerary.

If you’re staying in Camogli for a few days, don’t miss Genoa either. It’s less than 30 minutes away by train and makes an excellent day trip. Check out my guide to the best things to do in Genoa to help you plan your visit.

Things to know before visiting Camogli

Where is Camogli?

Camogli is a small fishing town on the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of northwest Italy. It sits on the western side of the Portofino Regional Natural Park, about 25 km (15.5 miles) east of Genoa.

Despite its location, Camogli feels much quieter than nearby Cinque Terre and Portofino. You still get colorful waterfront houses, excellent seafood, and a beautiful beach, but with a much more local feel, which is exactly why I like it so much.

How to get to Camogli?

The easiest way to get to Camogli is by train. Direct trains from Genoa take around 30 minutes, and the station is less than a five-minute walk from the waterfront, so you won’t need a car.

Between spring and early autumn, you can also arrive by ferry from Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, or Genoa, which is easily the most scenic way to see Camogli for the first time.

Driving is possible, but parking is limited and fills up quickly during summer and on weekends, so I only recommend renting a car if you’re planning to explore more of Liguria.

If you’re flying to Liguria, Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport is the closest airport, but it has a fairly limited selection of international flights. 

Depending on where you’re coming from, it can be easier and sometimes cheaper to fly into Milan Malpensa Airport, Milan Linate Airport, Pisa International Airport, or even Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France (there is a direct Flixbus from the airport to Genoa).

Is Camogli worth visiting?

Absolutely. If you’re looking for a colorful seaside town with a beautiful beach, excellent seafood, and fewer international tourists than Cinque Terre or Portofino, Camogli is well worth visiting.

I especially like that it still feels like a real town. You’ll see locals swimming after work, fishermen bringing in their catch, and families filling the promenade. It has a much more authentic feel, which is exactly what keeps me coming back.

Day trip or overnight stay?

Camogli is easy to visit as a day trip from Genoa (and other nearby towns), and you’ll have enough time to see the main sights, relax on the beach, and enjoy a long seafood lunch.

While Camogli is an easy day trip from Genoa, I actually think it’s one of the best places to base yourself in Liguria. It has a beautiful beach, plenty of great restaurants, and a much more relaxed atmosphere than the bigger tourist hotspots.

From Camogli, you can easily visit Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, San Fruttuoso, Genoa, and even Cinque Terre by train or ferry, then come back to a quieter seaside town at the end of the day.

Need a place to stay in Camogli?

• Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi  – top-rated hotel in Camogli with a pool
• La Camogliese Hotel B&B – affordable bed and breakfast in Camogli

Best time to visit Camogli

Camogli is beautiful year-round, but my favorite months are May, June, and September. The weather is usually warm enough to enjoy the beach, the sea is swimmable later in the season, and the crowds are much more manageable than in July and August.

If you’re hoping for a lively atmosphere, summer is a great time to visit. The beach fills with locals, restaurants stay busy well into the evening, and the town has a great energy.

You might also want to plan your trip around one of Camogli’s annual festivals, which are some of the biggest highlights of the year.

Festivals in Camogli

Sagra del Pesce (Fish Festival) takes place on the second weekend of May and is Camogli’s most famous event. 

Thousands of portions of freshly fried fish are cooked in a giant frying pan, while the evening before features celebrations in honour of San Fortunato, the patron saint of fishermen.

If you’re visiting in early August, don’t miss the Festa della Stella Maris. Dedicated to the Madonna, protector of sailors, the festival ends with hundreds of floating candles illuminating the sea, creating one of the most magical evenings in Camogli.

Camogli is also known as one of Italy’s most romantic destinations. Every February, the town celebrates San Valentino… Innamorati a Camogli with heart-shaped decorations, special events, and a romantic atmosphere throughout the historic center.

Travel tips for visiting Camogli

Camogli is compact and easy to explore on foot, so comfortable shoes are all you need. If you’re visiting in summer, arrive early if you want a good spot on the beach, especially on weekends when locals flock to the coast.

If you’re planning to visit San Fruttuoso, check the ferry timetable in advance, as services are seasonal and can be affected by sea conditions. You can also hike between the two towns if you’re up for it.

Most restaurants don’t start serving dinner until around 7 pm, so if you get hungry in the afternoon, grab a slice of focaccia from one of the local bakeries.

Finally, don’t rush back after dinner. One of my favorite things about Camogli is simply walking along the promenade in the evening, when the beach empties out, the restaurants fill up, and the town feels at its best.