Stories of this Canadian girl's adventures exploring Europe & beyond...join me!

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

camogli...the most gorgeous italian fishing village you've never heard of

Nestled on the edge of the Italian Riviera is the small fishing village of Camogli. Overshadowed by its more popular neighbours of Portofino and further south, Cinque Terra, Camogli is where Italians outnumber tourists, where an espresso dopio costs only 2€, and the array of colour amidst rock and waves astound.

Not for nothing is this area of northern Italy called the 'Golfo Paradiso'. Just 45 minutes south of Genoa, by train or car, Camogli is the perfect inexpensive day trip or a destination to relax, rejuvenate and hike from for a week or two or more.


In its heyday Camogli was home to hundreds of tall ships, and with over 500 registered ship captains it was a thriving seaport.

Castello della Dragona

Perched on the edge of the black pebbled beach is Castello della Dragona, a fascinating setting to let your imagination run wild with images of Napoleon's ships at anchor in the cove, warring factions of Italy's five maritime superpowers during the Middle Ages, and


centuries of fishing boats streaming out at dawn in search of their daily catch.


The fishing method still used in Canogli is called Tonnarella - a 17th century system of netting fish while not killing them directly, so that all the fish caught which can't be sold that day are released. Nets, made of coconut fibres, are lowered and raised three times a day.


The backdrop of the town is definitely colour. Russet, pink and mustard-coloured buildings guide you along the small fishing harbour, and through the town's main street and high up into the hills.


With a sprinkling of love in the air it was "amore a prima vista" for me.


Laundry, consisting of cute Italian clothes (do they have any other kind?) and bed sheets, covers the delicately painted faux facades around every corner...and I couldn't get enough of it!




On my next visit (and there will be one!) I will make sure to hike from Camogli, along the cove's coast to San Rocco church which is perched high above the town. If you keep going along the waterline or through the national park to the hidden gem of San Fruttuoso you will find its Benedictine Monastery and magical cove, which is only accessible by foot or ferry.


Then, I might just keep on wandering to Portofino...all apparently doable in a great day of walking. If you're interested in doing this too check out the trail site at Portofino Trek, which I will be doing the next time I visit!


But at the end of the day, traveling and these words continue to inspire me...
Stay curious, keep learning, love deeply...and most of all, be kind.


When you go:

Train schedule - www.trenitalia.com
Portofino trek information - www.portofinotrek.com

Just 45 minutes by train/car from Genoa, it's an easy and inexpensive day trip.
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