Visiting San Fruttuoso, Portofino and Camogli
I recommend you take the train in the morning and get off in Camogli, to me one of the most beautiful villages in the region.
Camogli
Camogli is a typical Ligurian harbor with colorful fishing boats, the verticality of colorful houses built against the cliff, its beautiful promenade, the church, and the Dragon’s castle on the ancient “Island” by the sea. It’s a true seaside village known as “City of the Thousand White Sailing Ships.”
To San Fruttuoso
From Camogli you can reach San Fruttuoso with the Ferry
FESTIVO = Sundays and Holidays
SABATO = Saturday
Or by foot, reaching San Fruttuoso via San Rocco and San Nicolò di Capodimonte.
The walking time is about 3 hours: from the Church of San Rocco, take the downhill path indicated to Punta Chiappa.
You can reach the complex of San Nicolò di Capodimonte, with the church abandoned by the monks in 1440 and became home for the fishermen until 1870, when the place of worship was restored and reopened.
From here follow the path towards “San Fruttuoso” and get it down to the Abbey after about an hour.
The walk can be shortened by taking a boat to Punta Chiappa …
San Fruttuoso is dominated by the Abbey, which dates back to 1000 AD, and by the tower of the Doria that overlooks the few fishermen’s houses and the paradise beach where during the summer season, including a dip, you can enjoy fresh seafood and other local delicacies.
The Legend tells that the building place of the Abbey was shown in a dream to the Bishop of San Fruttuoso, who died at stake in Spain, and to 5 monks, who, after a long wander along the Ligurian coast, recognized the place and built the Abbey.
The first historical document attesting to the presence of the monastery dates back to 984 BC. Later it passed to the Benedictines, who expanded, and then to the Doria family. Finally, in 1983, the Doria Pamphili family gave the entire area to the FAI, the Italian Environmental Fund, and the Abbey was completely restored.
The abbey is open from Monday to Friday at the following times:
10-15.45 in January, February, November, and December (except Mondays)
10-15.45 in March and October
10-16.45 in April, May, and in the second half of September
10-17.45 first from June to mid-September
and on Saturday and Sunday as follows:
10-15.45 in January, February, March, October, November, and December
10-16.45 April, May, and the second half of September
10-17.45 from June to the first half of September
* Last admission 45 minutes before closing. The opening hours are subject to change based on weather conditions.
In the peace of the deep sea, a few hundred meters from the Abbey, there is a bronze statue of Christ with arms upraised in a sign of invocation.
Placed there in 1954 on the initiative of Duilio Marcante, a legendary figure of the Italian underwater, in memory of those who died at sea and those who have devoted their lives to it.
The statue of Christ of the Abyss has become a symbol for all divers and one of the world’s most famous diving. Every year at the end of August, in the small picturesque bay, a ceremony is held in memory of all those called from the sea.
The blessing of the waters, the procession by torchlight, scuba divers who reach the Christ and lay a laurel wreath, the Mass celebrated on the shore: these are the most evocative moments of the night in which the Christ of the Abyss is honored.
To allow everyone to see the statue, even in rough sea conditions, on August 13, 1974, a copy of the Christ was placed in the chapel of the Church of San Fruttuoso.
San Fruttuoso is a magical place surrounded by nature. A trip not to be missed.
From San Fruttuoso you can reach Portofino by boat. One of the most beautiful journeys that can be made between the Gulf of Tigullio and the Golfo Paradiso and the entire coastline of Liguria.
Another option is the beautiful path that connects them.
From the beach, you climb up to the monastery of Capodimonte and from there to “La Cheta,” where the helicopters land.
The trail climbs in switchbacks, surrounded by Mediterranean bush, to the place called “Base 0” and then down to the Houses of Prato.
From here, take the paved road marked with two circles and a red square that leads to the Chapel of St. Sebastian and goes down to the small harbor of Portofino.
Portofino
It’s a typical Ligurian fishing village, with its colorful houses arranged in a semicircle around the famous Piazzetta. However, Portofino has become one of the most popular tourist destinations globally, an exclusive destination for world-famous celebrities who spend their summer holidays in their Thousand and One Nights villas or mooring their dream yachts in the small harbor.
Worth visiting the Church of St. George and the Castello Brown.
I was in Portofino last year out of season and it was a magical day. Here’s how it went: Visiting Portofino.
From Levanto, from 2 July to 12 September, the boat service is active, offering trips to Portofino. It also stops for two and a half hours and a scenic ride to San Fruttuoso every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Tickets can be purchased directly on the dock fifteen minutes before departure at the white kiosk that works as the ticket office.
