Ever heard of Camogli, Italy? This little beach town is one of my favorite gems in Italy — a gorgeous seaside town on the Ligurian Coast that makes a perfect alternative to Cinque Terre.
Located on the western side of the Portofino Peninsula, Camogli is just 15 miles from busy Genoa. It’s small enough to visit on a day trip from other Ligurian towns, but I think it’s one of the better options for a base in this part of northern Italy. Camogli (pronounced ca-MO-lee) is probably my favorite town along the Italian Riviera. This is an exceedingly pleasant place to spend a few days — and while Camogli is popular with Italians, it’s mostly unknown to international travelers.
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Camogli gets so much right — gorgeous houses, tightly packed together and painted in vibrant hues of terra cotta, pistachio, and canary. A long, pebbly beach, with neon turquoise waves to swim in. And so many fabulous seafood restaurants dishing up the catch of the day.The bright colors of this town helped fishermen find their way home. Incidentally, the name “Camogli” is thought to refer to the fishermen’s wives.
Even today, I think Camogli still feels more like a fishing village than a typical Italian Riviera resort. A perfect place to laze about, swim in the sea, and eat fresh seafood. The best things to do in Camogli are all about enjoying la dolce vita.And if you’re up for exploring, it couldn’t be easier to take day trips to Cinque Terre, Rapallo, Portofino, and plenty more towns of the Italian Riviera. Let’s take a look at what this amazing little town has to offer!This post was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper and was published in January 2025.
Enjoy the beautiful beach
Camogli’s pastel-colored town is home to a pebble and black-sand beach that looks straight out of a postcard. This beach is quite large for such a small town (not to mention better than anything you’ll find in Cinque Terre), with a big area cordoned off for swimming in the shallow water of the Ligurian Sea.
There’s a decent amount of free space where you can lay down a towel and go for a dip. Otherwise, you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella from one of the beach clubs (bagni) along the beach. This is more comfortable if you’re planning on sticking around for a full day as the beach is stoney.
Expect to pay around €30 ($32 USD) in summer and no more than €20 ($21 USD) in low season. If the attendants quote you anything higher, you can politely negotiate. (I love to start with an incredulous “É vero?”)

Go on a wine-tasting experience
Every region of Italy is a wine-producing region — even if it’s just a nonno making wine in his backyard — and that includes the Ligurian Coast.This area is known for its high-mineral white wines made from Vermentino and Pigato grapes grown on terraces on steep coastal cliffs. These grapes flourish under the limestone-dominant soil and Mediterranean climate.
Still, Liguria’s hilly topography makes viticulture conditions somewhat challenging. To appreciate the skill of local winemakers, you can sign up for a private Ligurian wine tasting in the natural park.
Led by a sommelier, you will take a leisurely stroll through the Camogli Natural Park before diving into a tasting platter. Escape into the natural beauty of northern Italy at the stunning Portofino Natural Park. This huge park blankets the whole peninsula — not just the town of Portofino — and has more than 50 miles of hiking trails that follow ancient pilgrimage routes. It’s pretty rugged on the whole, and it’s a good idea to have good hiking boots for the more challenging routes. Your knees will also thank you for carrying hiking poles!You can hike independently if you’d like. Most routes have decent signage, but in my experience, the Italians aren’t exactly as thorough with signs as, say, Central Europe or Germany. There are a few mountain biking trails and guided coasteering activities.And if you’d like to hike with others, this small-group tour of Portofino Park lets you bask in nature without looking at a map. After picking up focaccia, you’ll take the boat to Punta Chiappa, then follow the hiking trail back down to Camogli.
Visit Camogli’s many churches
When in Italy, you’re only ever a few yards from your nearest beautiful church. Camogli’s churches offer a moment of respite from Italy’s fierce summer sun. Start at the Basilica Minore di Santa Maria Assunta (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta) which takes pride and prominence at the north end of the beach. Don’t be fooled by the humble exterior – the nave is thickly clad with gold and marble.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Wood (Santuario di Nostra Signora del Boschetto) sits above the harbortown. It’s said that the Holy Madonna appeared here in 1500.A decent uphill walk brings you to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Chiesa Millenaria). This ancient church isn’t always open but the bay views are worth the hike. Throw on your sneakers and follow the Via San Rocco hiking trail to the Parochial Church of San Rocco for incredible views. It’s a lot of steps up to the hamlet, so you should bring your water bottle and a wide-brimmed hat.
See the Dragonara Castle
Once responsible for keeping pirates at bay and briefly used as a jail, Dragonara Castle now stands in partial ruin on the promontory.Historians believe this castle was built in the 11th century, with further fortifications added in the following centuries. Bizarre fact of the day: the Camogli castle even served temporarily as an aquarium!
The fishes have since found a more suitable home in Genoa. However, whale watching remains one of the coolest things to do in Camogli. This part of the Italian Riviera sits in a cetacean sanctuary and you might spot fin whales, sperm whales, and bottlenose dolphins from the castle.Dragonara Castle also hosts local history and photography exhibits. It’s free to climb up to the piazzale and take in panoramic views and magical sunsets over the gulf.
Dine on local cuisine
Dining in Camogli revolves around whatever the fishermen unloaded from their nets that morning and freshly baked focaccia washed down with Ligerian wine. And I absolutely love it!
A special type of “skinny” focaccia is produced in the area. The neighboring town of Recco created a yeast-free flatbread stuffed with stracchino cheese during the 12th century and it proved to be a hit – almost 1,000 years later it’s still going strong!
You’ll find delicious focaccia di Recco at Revello, where there’s always a line. Most restaurants put their own spin on the local focaccia.The entire village gets together every second Sunday in May at the Camogli Fish Festival, held in tribute to the patron saint of fishermen. It originated during the Second World War when local wives made offerings to the Madonna to protect their husbands.
Seafood overlooking the beach at La Rotonda
Seafood is best eaten with a view of, well, the sea. You’ll pay a surcharge to eat spaghetti al nero di seppie on the Italian Riviera’s seafront, but it’s worth every cent. Seafood overlooking the beach at La Rotonda
Seafood is best eaten with a view of, well, the sea. You’ll pay a surcharge to eat spaghetti al nero di seppie on the Italian Riviera’s seafront, but it’s worth every cent.
Explore the Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Camogli is a genuinely wholesome place to spend an hour. Founded by naval history expert Gio Bono Ferrari, the bulk of the collection is 146 models of ships built almost exclusively by Camogli’s passionate seafarers.San Fruttuoso Bay is tucked away on the rocky southern coast of the Portofino Peninsula. Getting there is part of the adventure – the only way to reach it is on foot or by boat. The hiking trail starts near Portofino and is downhill into the town, and uphill for the return. Boat services operate year-round from Camogli and seasonally from other towns on the Ligurian Coast, including Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Rapallo, making this a great combination day trip.
The fastest trains from Camogli to Monterosso al Mare, the first town of the Cinque Terre take one hour. Having a fantastic beach and being relatively flat, this northernmost town is a good option for people who don’t want to walk up hills.
The other four towns — Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore — are accessible via the Cinque Terre Express train; boats also run to all towns but Corniglia. Vernazza and Manarola are perhaps the most dramatic. Riomaggiore has the steepest hills in the region, while Corniglia is elevated with a different, quieter vibe.
Cinque Terre is just as spectacular as the photos will have you believe. Staying a few days is ideal but a day trip covers the highlights. I recommend leaving Camogli early, starting in Monterosso, then visiting Vernazza, followed by Riomaggiore, and finishing with Manarola just in time for sunset.
Where To Stay in Camogli, Italy
Camogli’s best hotels are dotted along the waterfront near the castle, beach, and harborfront restaurants. Of course, waterfront comes with premium pricing. You can save a bit if you stay a few streets away, but keep in mind you’ll need to climb down a hill to get to the beach and up a hill to get back.
- Top-rated Luxury Hotel in Camogli: Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi has a waterfront setting with a huge swimming pool facing the Mediterranean Sea. Classy rooms feature antique-inspired furniture, some have a balcony or spa bath.
- Top-rated Adults-only Hotel in Camogli: Swanky suites at the Sublimis Boutique Hotel have captivating sea views through wall-to-wall windows or private terraces. The train station and beach are minutes away.
- Top-rated Mid-range Hotel in Camogli: Rooms and suites at the Carrick Hotel are accented with the same colors used on the waterfront terraces. Head to the roof terrace for a jacuzzi or cocktail with a mountain view.
- Top-rated Budget Hotel in Camogli: Walk to everything from the harborside I Tre Merli Locanda and look forward to a soak in the hot tub after a day on the beach or local trails.
Camogli is very much worth it! I’m so glad I visited — and I truly think this is one of the underrated so-called “hidden gems” that so many travelers are searching for in Italy.