According to Charles Dickens, Camogli was 'the saltiest, roughest, most piratical little place' when the great writer paid a visit in 1844. Of course Dickens was fond of a little local colour, and if it was wanting he would happily dip into his palette for a spot more. But Camogli, which for good or ill, is a slightly more sanitised place these days, does have a raffish history. This is a lovely little town, and it's still possible to scent the 'smell of fish and seaweed and old rope' that Dickens found so appealing. Amazingly, this little town of 5700 people once supported a navy of 700 ships, big enough to see off Napoleon Bonaparte.
At times, the whole town took to sea, giving rise to one of the two roots of the name 'Camogli'. The first is 'houses close together' (you'll see why when you wander through the crumbling jumble of an old town). The second meaning is 'houses of wives'. With the men away at sea for years at a time, it was left to the women of Camogli to run the town and the port. In those days, Camogli was cut off from its neighbours in Genoa (Genova) province, on Liguria's Italian Riviera. The coming of steam saw an end to that, and now the railway and road give easier access to Camogli. It's still a place of immense charm though, and sights include the Castello della Dragonara. Ferries run out to Punta Chiappa, San Sruttuoso, Portofino, Recco, Genoa, Portovenere and the stunning Cinque Terre.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Camogli hotels.
