Camogli and San Fruttuoso day trip from Genoa or Portofino
A day trip to Camogli and San Fruttuoso from Genoa or Portofino: a morning boat from Camogli to the abbey of San Fruttuoso in its cove and the bronze Christ of the Abyss in the bay, the rocks of Punta Chiappa on the way back, then focaccia at Revello, the basilica and Castello della Dragonara on the rocks by the harbour, the painted seafront and the beach below it. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Camogli and San Fruttuoso in 1 day
Day 1
San Fruttuoso Abbey
Medieval abbey in a cove reached only by boat or on foot, with the tombs of the Doria family and a small beach.
Christ of the Abyss
Bronze statue of Christ set on the seabed of the San Fruttuoso bay in 1954, seen by divers and snorkellers on calm days.
Punta Chiappa
Rocky point at the foot of the Portofino headland facing Camogli, with flat rocks for swimming and a boat stop.
Focacceria Revello
Historic seafront bakery known for its Ligurian focaccia and the rum-filled camogliesi biscuits, a classic snack stop.
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
Camogli's main church on the rocky spur by the harbour, with a richly gilded and painted interior.
Castello della Dragonara
Medieval castle on the rocks at the end of the harbour, beside the basilica, mostly seen from outside.
Historic centre of Camogli (seafront)
Fishing town of tall, narrow houses painted in warm colours and trompe-l'oeil, along a seafront promenade above the beach.
Spiaggia di Camogli
Pebble beach right below the tall painted houses of the seafront, busy in summer and lovely in the evening light.
Watch: Camogli and San Fruttuoso
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Genoa, regional trains along the coast reach Camogli-San Fruttuoso station in about 30-40 minutes, a short walk above the seafront. From Portofino, boats reach San Fruttuoso in season; Camogli is also reached by bus to Santa Margherita Ligure and then the train. San Fruttuoso has no road: boats run from Camogli in season, and a steep path crosses the Portofino headland on foot.
Staying in Genoa or Portofino? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Camogli and San Fruttuoso
May, June and September are the best months: warm sea, running boats and fewer people than in July and August, when the coast is crowded. The Sagra del Pesce on the second Sunday of May and the Stella Maris boat procession in early August fill Camogli. In winter the boats are few, but the seafront is quiet and mild.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Camogli and San Fruttuoso on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Camogli and San Fruttuoso on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Camogli and San Fruttuoso on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
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Tips for Camogli and San Fruttuoso
- Take a morning boat from Camogli harbour to San Fruttuoso; some stop at Punta Chiappa on the way back. They run mainly from spring to autumn and stop in rough sea, so check the last boat.
- The path to San Fruttuoso over the Portofino headland is steep and rocky, taking a few hours; wear proper shoes and carry water.
- San Fruttuoso Abbey is closed on Mondays; plan the boat trip for another day if the abbey matters to you.
- Take a swimsuit: the coves at San Fruttuoso and the rocks at Punta Chiappa are good for a swim in summer.
- Camogli's Sagra del Pesce, with fish fried in a giant pan on the seafront, is held on the second Sunday of May.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta: Bramfab, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castello della Dragonara: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
- Christ of the Abyss: The original uploader was Yoruno at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historic centre of Camogli (seafront): Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
- Punta Chiappa: PiccardoSann-a, CC BY-SA 4.0
- San Fruttuoso Abbey: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
