Setting sail along the coast to discover the treasures in the Camogli and Portofino area can be an excellent idea, especially with the arrival of the fine weather. Once you cast off from the marina of Marina Porto Antico, the equipped area for hosting your pleasure craft in the heart of old Genoa, just let yourself be guided by the wind and the desire for relaxation to reach the locations we are about to suggest.
The first stop on this excursion can only be the wonderful maritime town of Camogli, characterized by clean waters perfect for swimming before landing on the coast and being enchanted by its historic center nestled between the sea and mountains. Camogli is a town rich in history, featuring a historic center full of caruggi (narrow alleyways), small squares, and the famous promenade that winds along the entire Camogli coast, from where you can admire the marine landscape while shopping and enjoying an ice cream or a granita.
Camogli’s maritime past is well highlighted by its small port, still used today to host traditional wooden boats and medium-sized vessels, as well as by the 17th-century pier from which all the evocative caruggi that characterize this small city with great history branch out. Walking through Camogli’s narrow streets during spring is a relaxing activity that can lead to the discovery of hidden treasures such as the ancient cast iron crane located at the intersection of Via al Porto and Salita Castelletto. The winch is a testament to the flourishing maritime activity that characterized Camogli until the second half of the 1800s and has been promoted as a city monument by the inhabitants of Camogli.
For those wishing to immerse themselves in the magic of history, a must-visit place is certainly the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the 12th-century church built on a rock near the small port of the ancient maritime village. The structure has undergone various interventions and expansions over the years, especially in the 16th century and in the early decades of the 19th century. The interior of the Basilica consists of three naves in Baroque style and is entirely covered with golden stuccos, polychrome marbles, and crystal chandeliers, making it a fascinating and unforgettable spectacle for all visitors. The vault houses some late 19th-century frescoes by Nicolò Barabino and Francesco Semino. The main altar was created by sculptor Andrea Casareggio, while the wooden choir dates back to the 18th century. In the sacristy, there is a Deposition by painter Luca Cambiaso.
Camogli is not just art, sea, and nature, it’s also gastronomy. Indeed, it’s not difficult to find a focacceria, a bar, a restaurant, or an ice cream parlor capable of satisfying the most demanding palates, before setting sail again along the coast towards Punta Chiappa, a small corner of paradise where you can enjoy the sea in complete relaxation.
The second stop on this journey to discover the treasures of the Camogli and Portofino area is Punta Chiappa, a tongue of puddingstone rock that extends into the sea from the Portofino Promontory, belonging to the Portofino Park and Protected Marine Area.
Punta Chiappa was historically linked to the numerous fishing activities in the Camogli-Portofino area, and this tradition is evidenced by the many nearby restaurants offering traditional seafood dishes and by the Fishing Museum. The sea that laps the rocky tongue is ideal for diving or activities like snorkeling. Thanks to its position, Punta Chiappa’s seabed hosts a wide variety of fish, and the presence of rocks and crevices makes this stretch of seabed the ideal place for amberjacks, groupers, saddled seabreams, octopuses, and sea breams.
Once the first day of excursion is over, it is recommended to return to your boat and sail in complete relaxation towards the tip of the Portofino Lighthouse, another suggestive location that hosts a small bar where you can enjoy a delicious aperitif during sunset. To reach this evocative refreshment point, simply moor your boat in Portofino and climb up from the characteristic small square towards the peninsula, until you reach the churchyard of St. George’s church, where you can admire a breathtaking panorama before continuing towards the Portofino Lighthouse bar and planning the next stops of this exciting excursion. The journey to discover the maritime treasures of the Camogli and Portofino area has indeed just begun, and there’s no need to rush back to Genoa to moor your boat in the convenient area of Marina Porto Antico. See you next month, as the sailing trip continues.
