A 48-hour Camogli, Italy guide – experience our favorite Italian Riviera destination.
About an hour and 20 minutes north of the Cinque Terre sits the teeny tiny fishing village of Camogli, Italy. The lesser known Italian Riviera gem has become a favorite stop for us after watching the Steve Coogan series, The Trip to Italy.
The show does a short visit to Camogli’s Hotel & Ristorante Cenobio dei Dogi. After a weekend in La Spezia, we decided to give it a try. It was amazing – the food, the views, everything — and in the rain no less.]
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In June, we decided to do a weekend trip before we welcomed our baby boy. We thought we had plenty of time. Il Ragazzino’a arrival wasn’t for three weeks – and aren’t all first babies late!? (Ha.)
Given the circumstances, we splurged and booked at Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi. The hotel itself sits just off the main seafront street. The village offers quiet tranquility, even with a spike of tourists – most of whom are Italian, making it feel much less suffocating than the (ever beautiful) Cinque Terre.
The village serves up amazing food with specialties like mouth-watering focaccia and heavenly seafood platters. It is brimming with waterfront activities and boasts a host of hiking trails to other gorgeous locations.
All in all, Camogli, Italy is worth the visit. I’ve compiled a list of eateries, activities, and a few other tidbits on visiting Camogli for the would-be traveler. Enjoy!
Where is Camogli, Italy?
You’ll find Camogli, Italy an hour’s drive up the Ligurian coast from the Cinque Terre. It’s connected to neighboring villages like Portofino via seaside hills and cliffs. Navigate by foot, boat, car, or train.
How to Get to Camogli
- Camogli, Italy by train: Serviced by the Camogli – San. Fruttuoso Train Station.
- Camogli, Italy by car: Use the A12 Autostrada from Genoa to Livorno or take the picturesque route from Rapallo to Ruta. Parking is not easy as residents hold most spaces. Free parking can be found at Piazza Matteotti and Via San Rocco. You can also find pay parking in Via Cuneo and Piazza Matteotti. Another option is the pay lot near the Gulliver shopping center (direction Genoa), which offers regular shuttle service to the town.
What to do when you visit Camogli, Italy?
There is not a shortage of activities when visiting Camogli. Here is a short list to get you started.
Camogli Hiking
Hiking in Camogli is a popular activity with tons of seaside trails ranging from easy and short (3o minutes) to hard and long (4 hours). During our short stay, we opted for the former with the climb up to the church of San Rocco. The starting point is located about 25 meters from the hotel.
It’s listed as a gentle slope up to San Rocco. I’m sure it is in real life, but at 37 weeks pregnant the climb felt much more intense. The fact that I gave birth two days later may or may not have factored into my sluggishness…
The walk takes you through olive trees and woodlands before the reward of the beautiful church and gorgeous views of Camogli and Genoa.
La Sagra del Pesce, “Fish Festival”
On my list to check out – La Sagra del Pesce, one of Camogli’s most popular events. The second Sunday of May, the village celebrates the patron saint of fishermen, San Fortunato, with a massive fish fry.
At the inaugural event in 1952 residents used six small pans for the fish fry. By 1954 they were replaced with a single large skillet, now the event’s symbol. Today, the stainless steel pan measures 4 meters in diameter with a 6-meter handle, weighs 28 tons, and holds up to 2000 liters of frutta di mare. YUM.
Camogli Water Activities
Given the location, Camogli, Italy has plenty of water activities. From sunbathing to boat tours to snorkeling and more. Find more details at the tourist office or at your hotel.
Where to eat and drink when you visit Camogli, Italy?
Ristorante Cenobio dei Dogi
The hotel offers three dining options, and all are fantastic. Enjoy lunch or apertivo on the seaside terrace, aptly named La Terrazza Giulia. Dine outside at La Playa or eat inside with a seaside view at Il Doge Ristorante. We’ve now done all three, and can’t say enough good things about the food and service.
Find it! Ristorante Cenobio dei Dogi
- Address: Via Cuneo, 34, 16032, Camogli, Italy.
- Phone: +39 0185 724407
- Hours: Vary by location.
- Reservations recommended, ristorante@cenobio.it.
Ostaia da o Sigu
During our weekend away we had dinner at Ostaia da o Sigu. It’s a perfect location right along the waterfront with tables dotting the boardwalk; to get one of those, I booked in advance. Not only was it beautiful – what a place to watch the sunset! – the food was incredible. And, the prices are very reasonable.
Find it! Ostaia da Sigu
- Address: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 82, Camogli, Italy.
- Phone: 0185 770689
- Hours:
- Open daily for dinner, 19:30 to 23:0; Open for lunch Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 15:00.
- Reservations recommended
Revello Focacceria
Camogli is known for focaccia. And, there is not a shortage on the main street.
Revello offers a delicious and inexpensive lunch. We grabbed some focaccia and hunkered down on the boardwalk to soak in the sun and sea.
Find it! Via Garibaldi 183, Camogli, Italy.
Focacceria Cose Buone
It lives up to its name! Another great – and inexpensive – focacceria along the boardwalk.
Find it! Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 110, 16032 Camogli, Italy.
La Cremeria del Paradiso
We tried a couple gelaterias and La Cremeria del Paradiso is the only one we felt worthy of a shout out. Simply amazing.
Find it! Piazza Cristoforo Colombo 4/5, 16032 Camogli, Italy.
Cavalli Wine Bar
A great stopping point for a morning coffee, casual lunch, or aperitivo.
Find it! Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 108, 16032 Camogli, Italy
So, that’s my quick guide to a weekend visit to Camogli, Italy. We can’t wait to take Il Ragazzino back one day. We are very glad he waited till we got home to make his arrival!
And, we can’t recommend Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi enough for a place to stay. It’s a splurge, but very much worth it!
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If you have suggestions on places to visit in Camogli or other little known Italian Riviera gems, please let us know below!
Read More on the Italian Riviera:
- A Cinque Terre Alternative? 5 Less Touristy Italian Riviera Destinations
- Hiking the Cinque Terre and Levanto
- Portofino, Italy: Believe the Hype
- Rapallo Restaurants and More
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If you catch this in time you can join us on a live chat Saturday, November 5th at 11am EST on Twitter at #ItalianFWT. Hope to see you there!
- Capaccio-Paestum, Campania, Feast on Italy
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- Positively Piceno by Mike Madaio, Undiscovered Italy
- Wines on the Island of Sardinia with Vigne Surrau by Jennifer Gentile Martin, Vino Travels
- Picturesque Pienza: The Ideal Renaissance Town by Li Valentine, The Wining Hour
festivals. If you’d like to join us, email Jen direct at vinotravels at hotmail.com.
