Soggiorna
Camogli is a seaside village on the Golfo Paradiso, east of Genoa, set against the western side of the Portofino headland. Its territory climbs from sea level to the 610 metres of Monte di Portofino and includes, besides the centre, the hamlets of San Rocco, Ruta and San Fruttuoso. The village is small and you see all of it on foot: what needs a little planning is arriving by car, which has its own rules, and the boat, whose timetable changes with the seasons.
What to see in the village
The centre of Camogli is three places close together.
- The little harbour, with its wooden gozzi, fishing boats, drying nets and the boats for San Fruttuoso. The boat ticket office is here.
- The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, from the 12th century, built on what used to be an island: you reach it from the harbour square up a flight of steps. Plain outside, baroque inside, with three naves, gilding and coloured marble.
- Castel Dragone, the 13th-century stronghold on the rock beside the basilica, built to watch for pirates. Today it hosts exhibitions.
From the basilica the seafront walk of Via Garibaldi begins, with the painted façades above the beach. With more time, add the Gio Bono Ferrari maritime museum and the Teatro Sociale of 1876: we describe them in What to see in Camogli.
The beach
Camogli's beach is pebble and runs below Via Garibaldi, alternating beach clubs and free stretches. In 2026 it holds the Blue Flag together with San Fruttuoso, and the town runs the Spiaggia Lilla, equipped for wheelchair users and for blind visitors. The bathing season lasts from May to October. The list of beach clubs from west to east and swimming off the rocks at Punta Chiappa are in our guide to the beaches of Camogli.
Getting there
By train is the easiest way: the station is called Camogli-San Fruttuoso, it is on the Genoa-La Spezia line and Genoa is about twenty minutes away. By car you leave the A12 motorway at Recco and drive on for about two kilometres. Car parks are paid: for non-residents they cost 2 or 2.50 euros an hour depending on the area, with a daily maximum of 15 or 25 euros. Areas, hours and bus alternatives are in How to get to Camogli and where to park.
Boats to Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso
The Golfo Paradiso line leaves the harbour for Punta Chiappa (15 minutes) and San Fruttuoso (30 minutes). From Camogli it runs all year, sea permitting.
| Route | Adult | Reduced, ages 4-12 |
|---|---|---|
| Camogli - San Fruttuoso | €11 one way, €17 return | €7 one way, €11 return |
| Camogli - Punta Chiappa | €7 one way, €12 return | €4 one way, €7 return |
These are the operator's 2026 fares; children up to 3 travel free.
Departures from Camogli, as published by the operator for 2026:
- November 2026 - February 2027: 9:00, 11:00 and 15:00, plus 12:00 and 14:00 on Saturdays and public holidays. In November there is no service on Mondays; from December to February it runs every day except 25 December. Last boat back from San Fruttuoso at 16:00.
- April and May: hourly from 9:00 to 16:00 (the 13:00 only on Saturdays and holidays).
- June and September: hourly from 9:00 to 17:00, last boat back at 18:00.
- July and August: hourly from 9:00 to 17:00, last boat back from San Fruttuoso at 19:00.
- October: from 9:00 to 15:00, last boat back at 16:00.
Tickets for the line are sold at the ticket office by the pier, cards accepted; the operator suggests arriving half an hour early. A San Fruttuoso ticket also lets you get off at Punta Chiappa. Boats sail only if the skipper judges the sea suitable: on doubtful days call 0185 772091 before you set off.
What you find on arrival is in our guide to San Fruttuoso; the full day, village and abbey together, is in Camogli and San Fruttuoso: itinerary.
On foot: San Rocco, Punta Chiappa and the Park
From Camogli you walk straight into the Portofino Park, which has over 80 kilometres of waymarked paths. The first climb is always the same: the mule track near the Carabinieri station, 900 steps and about half an hour up to the church of San Rocco, where the view reaches Capo Mele.
| Route | Length | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camogli - San Rocco - Punta Chiappa | 2.5 km | about 1 hour | easy |
| Camogli - San Fruttuoso via the Batterie | 8.39 km | about 3 hours | hard, with exposed stretches and chains |
| Camogli - Portofino - Santa Margherita Ligure | 15.91 km | about 6 hours | medium |
These are the Camogli tourist office's figures. From Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso you can come back by boat. For San Fruttuoso we have two dedicated pages: the path via Pietre Strette and the traverse to Portofino. The Park authority reminds walkers that the paths on the mountain are demanding: shoes with a proper tread, water, and 112 for emergencies.
When to go
- Second Sunday of May: the Sagra del Pesce, the fish festival born in 1952. Fish is fried in the square in a steel pan 3.8 metres across and handed out free; the evening before come the procession of San Fortunato, fireworks and bonfires on the beach. It is the busiest day of the year.
- First Sunday of August: Stella Maris, with a procession of boats to Punta Chiappa in the morning and thousands of floating candles on the sea at night.
- Second weekend of October: the Madonna dei Gotti, the locals' own festival.
- Valentine's Day: "Innamorati a Camogli", held since 1988.
For swimming, the season runs from May to October. For walking on the mountain, spring and autumn suit best, with fewer people and less heat on the paths. In winter the village is quiet and the boat keeps running, with fewer departures.
Useful information
The tourist office is the Pro Loco di Camogli, Via XX Settembre 33, phone 0185 771066: it sells train and AMT bus tickets and has left luggage. The boat operator is Golfo Paradiso, phone 0185 772091.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need to visit Camogli?
For the village, meaning harbour, basilica, Castel Dragone and seafront, half a day is enough. With San Fruttuoso by boat you need the whole day.
How much is the boat from Camogli to San Fruttuoso?
In 2026 an adult ticket costs 11 euros one way and 17 euros return; the reduced fare for ages 4 to 12 is 7 and 11 euros. Children up to 3 travel free.
Does the boat to San Fruttuoso run in winter?
Yes. From November to February it leaves Camogli at 9:00, 11:00 and 15:00, with two extra sailings on Saturdays and holidays. In November it does not run on Mondays, and in every season it depends on the sea.
Is it better to reach Camogli by train or by car?
By train: the station is in the village and Genoa is about twenty minutes away. By car you exit at Recco and leave the car in one of the paid car parks.
When is the Sagra del Pesce?
On the second Sunday of May, with bonfires and fireworks on the Saturday evening.