Camogli, the jewel of Liguria’s Italian Riviera
You may have heard of the Cinque Terre. But you should also know Liguria’s Golfo Paradiso on the Italian Riviera.
Golfo Paradiso, with its five beautiful seaside towns (the Cinque Terre’s), lush landscapes, and stunning views, is one of Italy’s most beautiful stretches. This explains why Golfo Paradiso’s name means “paradise Gulf”.
It might be easier to get to the Italian Riviera’s Golfo Paradiso than the Cinque Terre. Genoa is just 7 miles (11.1km) away from the coast. You can fly into Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport or take a train to Piazza Principe station.
Golfo Paradiso’s stunning views and hidden treasures are best enjoyed by renting a car or motorbike. You can rent a car, motorbike, or bike and cruise down the SS1 highway. Please be cautious! ).
Do you want to learn more about Golfo Paradiso’s attractions? Each of the five small towns in the region has its own character, cuisine, attractions, and uniqueness.
Here are some details about each to help you get started.
Bogliasco
The small, traditional Ligurian village is surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Italian Riviera. It’s also home to fishing boats and surfboards. Bogliasco offers the perfect conditions for surfing, even in winter.
Pieve Ligure
Are you a fan of flowers? Here’s Beeline. Pieve Ligure, the lushest of the five towns is famous for its beautiful flower blossoms. The town’s symbol is actually the bright yellow mimosa or acacia flower. Tourists flock to the Mimosa Festival on the second weekend in February to see the themed parade and to pick up mimosa bouquets for their loved ones on International Women’s Day, March 8.
Sori
Fact: Liguria is known for its delicious food. Trofie pasta is a regional classic dish. It was born in Sori. Trofie are made of flour and water. They are then hand-rolled into small irregular spirals. Trofie can be found on many local menus. They are usually served with fresh pesto and string beans.
What’s even better than the Sori food? The beautiful coastline. The locals take pride in their environment and strive to maintain its quality and tranquility. There are no high-rises!
Recco
We love Sori’s food, but Recco is the culinary capital of the Golfo Paradiso.
Why? Recco is home to two Ligurian specialties. Focaccia con Il Formaggio di Recco is the first. It’s a plate of thin, paper-thin bread topped with creamy stracchino. It’s served in a large circular wooden dish. This is so delicious that focaccia lovers travel far and wide to get a taste. Pansori is another specialty that you should save space for. This pasta is similar to ravioli but smaller and less meaty. It’s also filled with cheese and topped with a delicious walnut sauce.
Camogli
Camogli is known for its fresh-caught fish (don’t miss the anchovies!) Camogli is known for its majestic sailing vessels and beautifully-painted homes.
Two fun and fascinating events are also held in Camogli. Two annual events are held in Camogli. The first, the Sagra del Pesce (“Feast of the Fish”) is a massive fish fry that occurs every year on the 2nd Sunday of March. Tourists and locals gather around a huge frying pan measuring almost 13 feet in diameter (4 meters). You can enjoy some of the best seafood on the Italian Riviera. Even if you aren’t in town for the festival you can still pay tribute to it by visiting the old, larger frying pan near the marina.
On the first Sunday in August Camogli hosts Stella Maris. Inspired by a mosaic dating back to 400 A.D. and located in San Nicolo di Capodimonte, the event depicts the Madonna as a procuress for sailors. The morning begins with a cannon blast, which announces Dragun’s departure (a famed pirate ship) along with its followers. After sundown, the boats return to land. Locals place hundreds of glowing lanterns across the sea to illuminate the dark waters for sailors.