Camogli what to see: 5 things to see absolutely
✅ Before starting with the reading of Camogli what to see, we put below some really interesting links, all in English. Take a look! 😉
- The Christ of the Abyss
- Portofino Vetta, the “other” Portofino
- Genova Nervi: 3 things to see absolutely
- San Michele di Pagana: what to see?
- Tigullio: 5 Things you can’t miss!
- Rapallo Castle, the symbol of the city, by the sea
- Tigullio: 10 (and more) reason for a Winter visit
- Tigullio: 5 curious things you need to know!
- Chiavari: what to see? Full Tutorial
- Moneglia: 5 things you must (absolutely) see
- Love in Portofino: the very original song
- Portofino song: the TOP 5
- Tigullio’s TOP 5 most instgrammable places
- Why Focaccia is called Focaccia?
Camogli what to see: let’s go together, discovering 5 truly unmissable things in Camogli!
This is our definitive guide to Camogli and its wonderful corners, such an amazing place, famous all over the world.
If you are planning a visit to the Ligurian town, remember to visit as many places as possible among them.
You will be surprised by the incredible variety of emotions that this small village will be able to give you!
Camogli what to see: Just a little but important tip.
Parking in Camogli – especially on summer and on the weekends – is practically impossible.
For a day visit, we recommend you the use of public transport (bus, train, boat), or to park in Recco and reach Camogli walking. Just few minutes on a splendid promenade, by the sea.
1️⃣ The walk
The Camogli promenade is famous all over the world for its scenic beauty. The “stroll” starts from largo Simonetti,
unmistakable for the large frying pan (Photo 👆 up) leaning against the wall which, since 1952, is the main protagonist of the Camogli Fish Festival.
The road continues narrow between the tall historic buildings and, after a few meters, leads to the seafront, which descends towards the marina.
Take a look at: Recco Camogli, the complete trail
The promenade owes its present appearance to the works carried out in 1913. At that time, it was decided to tear down the buildings “in the front row” (they were also in poor condition on the sea side) – creating this beautiful “promenade”.
The underlying beach was instead enlarged and reinforced with the material resulting from the construction of the railway tunnels, dug under the Valico di Ruta di Camogli.
Take a look at: Portofino Vetta, the other Portofino
2️⃣ Santa Maria Assunta and the Dragonara Castle
Camogli what to see: at the end of the promenade, overlooking the marina, there are the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Dragonara Castle .
They are both erected on the so-called “island”, originally a small promontory, just connected to the mainland, surrounded by walls, to guarantee a refuge for the inhabitants in case of danger.
Santa Maria Assunta church, was built in the twelfth century and remodeled several times over the course of history.
Interiors are decorated in Baroque style and houses a valuable Deposition by the famous genovese artist Luca Cambiaso, with works by Bernardo Castello and Domenico Fiasella.
Take a look at: the Christ of the Abyss in San Fruttuoso di Camogli
The history of the Dragonara Castle is also rather troubled.
It was built in the twelfth century, then destroyed and damaged several times – by the Milanese, the Genoese and the pirates – and (fortunately) rebuilt each time.
In addition to being a defensive structure, also from pirate attacks, it was a meeting place for the community and a prison. In recent times (until the early 2000s) was the seat of the small Aquarium of Camogli.
Today, it hosts various cultural activities.
At the foot of the island, there is the small port, with its two porticoed sides and the beautiful decorated square in Rissêu, the typical genoese cobbled mosaic, present on the parvises of the churches in Liguria.
3️⃣ Camogli what to see: San Fruttuoso di Camogli
Once in Camogli, you must organize a visit to San Fruttuoso, where you’ll find the ancient Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte.
It’s surrounded by the green of the Portofino promontory and by the blue of its wonderful sea.
San Fruttuoso can only be reached by sea, or by the paths of the Monte di Portofino.
The Abbey of San Fruttuoso has maintained all its wild but enchanting charm over the centuries, thanks above all to the difficulty of access.
Those difficulties that convinced a group of monks, around the middle of the XVV century, to move to this corner of the coast, which was already known by sailors and devotees.
Sailors, came here to get water from a spring, which is still active today. Latters revered the ashes of San Fruttuoso de Tarragona, brought here from Spain.
In 1983, the abbey was left by the Doria family to the FAI. Now, can be visited by paying the entrance ticket. ( Here you will find timetables and costs )
There’s more. A few meters away from the beach of San Fruttuoso, about 10 meters deep, you can also admire the wonderful Christ of the Abyss.
4️⃣ Camogli what to see: Punta Chiappa
Ideally halfway between Camogli and San Fruttuoso, there’s Punta Chiappa: a real corner of paradise, where nature, history and tradition intertwine.
It is a language pudding-rock, the tip of which extends to the sea from Portofino, the Park of Portofino and the Marine Protected Area.
Punta Chiappa, an ancient village, once the hub of fishing activities, is now a place where the fishing tradition is enhanced and disseminated, through restaurants and the little Fishing Museum.
Since ancient times, and still today, the Tonnara of Camogli has been lowered 400 meters from Punta Chiappa, towards Camogli.
The rocky spur of Punta Chiappa extends towards the open sea, for about 50 meters and is a real watershed between Golfo Paradiso to the west, and Tigullio Gulf to the east.
As San Fruttuoso, it can only be reached by sea – with the ferries service – or by land, with the paths that descend from San Rocco di Camogli and Monte di Portofino.
5️⃣ San Rocco di Camogli
Camogli what to see: let’s now leave the coast and go up the hill.
We go towards Ruta di Camogli, then continuing to the right, towards San Rocco di Camogli, one of the most beautiful corners in Liguria.
San Rocco is a hamlet of Camogli, with just over 200 inhabitants, located at 221 meters above sea level.
From here, the panoramic view on Camogli, Golfo Paradiso, Genoa and the entire coast to the west… is truly magnificent!
The residential area of San Rocco is mainly developed along the only road, that leads from Ruta di Camogli to the hamlet, and to the church (San Rocco Church – Photo 👇 below)
In addition to the beauty of the place and the sacredness of the church building, San Rocco is an important starting point for numerous pedestrian paths.
We point you out the three main ones.
The first path – starts right from the church square – and leads down to Camogli, through various flights of stairs, alongside the Gentile stream, admiring splendid villas and cultivated strips.
The second path, starts from the side of the church and leads to the underlying ancient church of San Nicolò di Capodimonte (Photo 👇 below).
From here, you can continue along until the small village of Porto Pidocchio and then reach Punta Chiappa .
The third path, always starts from the side of the church of San Rocco.
This time, take a short staircase and continue uphill – about 20 minutes, up to Portofino Vetta, near the famous (ex) Hotel Portofino Kulm (Photo ☝ above)
Camogli what to see: San Rocco di Camogli
In San Rocco, every year, on August 16, during the patronal celebrations of the hamlet, is held the very famous ” International Dog Fidelity Award “.
Dogs that have distinguished themselves for their loyalty to the owner or for positive outcomes and heroic actions in calamitous episodes, are rewarded.
Another event not to be missed (in July) is the Sagra della Capponadda, a famous gastronomic festival, in honor of the Caponadda, a fish dish, typical of the ancient poor Camogli cuisine.
