The verdict on Camogli
- Who it suitsFamilies who value a beautiful village and confident older children who swim well, rather than toddlers who need gentle sandy shallows to paddle in.
- Best spotA paid section for a flatter, shaded base on the pebbles, with water shoes for everyone and an afternoon wandering the painted harbour.
- One thing to knowThe beach is steep shingle that drops quickly, not soft sand. Come for the village and the swim, and take toddlers to the sand at Sestri Levante or Alassio.
Published 13 January 2026. Last reviewed 6 March 2026
Camogli is, simply, one of the most beautiful places on this coast, a tall stack of painted fishermen's houses rising above a working harbour, with the kind of light and atmosphere that makes you forget to check the time. As a place to spend a day with a family it is a joy. As a beach for very young children, it asks for honesty, because the shore here is steep shingle and pebble, not soft sand, and the water drops away fairly quickly close in. That is a different proposition from the gentle sandy shallows that make a toddler day easy.
So the first practical truth is footwear. The pebbles are hard underfoot and the slope is steep, so water shoes are essential for everyone, not a nice extra, both for getting in and out and for standing in the shallows. Confident older children who swim well will be perfectly happy here, diving into clear water off the stones, but with toddlers who want to potter in ankle deep water, the quick drop means closer supervision and a less relaxed afternoon than at a flat sandy beach.
The beach is small, mixing free public shingle along the waterfront with some paid sections that hire loungers and umbrellas. In summer it fills, so an early arrival or a paid spot gives you a flatter, shaded base on the stones, which is far more comfortable than perching on bare shingle all day. The village wraps right around the beach, so cafes, gelato, toilets and some of the best seafood in Liguria are all within a few steps, which makes the day easy even when the swimming is not the gentlest.
The honest way to use Camogli is to come for the village as much as the water. Wander the harbour, eat well, let older children swim, and take the seasonal boats from the harbour to San Fruttuoso, a wonderful car free outing. But if your trip is built around a toddler who wants soft sand and a gentle paddle, base that beach day at Sestri Levante or Alassio and treat Camogli as the beautiful day out it truly is. For the bagni and clubs we can confirm along the coast, see our Liguria beach clubs directory.
Beach sections on and near Camogli
Camogli mixes free public shingle with some paid sections that hire loungers and umbrellas. We never invent venues, prices or status, so named operators and any day rates are marked to be confirmed until verified. For the bagni and clubs we have checked along the Liguria coast, use the Liguria beach clubs directory.
Camogli paid sections
The paid sections hire loungers and umbrellas, giving a flatter, shaded base on the steep pebbles that is far more comfortable than bare shingle for a family day. Operator names and day rates are to be confirmed, so we list them only once verified with the operator.
Spiaggia libera
The free public shingle along the waterfront costs nothing and reaches right under the painted houses, but it is small and fills in summer. Bring your own shade, a mat for the pebbles and water shoes for everyone, since the stones are hard and the slope is steep.
Camogli, near Portofino, Liguria
Camogli has its own railway station on the line between Genoa and the Cinque Terre, a short, slightly steep walk down to the waterfront, so arriving car free is easy. Driving is less appealing here, since parking is limited and the village streets are tight, so the train is the simpler way in. From the harbour, seasonal boats run to San Fruttuoso and on towards Portofino, a lovely car free way to reach the coves and the abbey nearby.
Bring water shoes for everyone, a mat or low chairs for the pebbles, sun cover and water. Take a paid section for a flatter shaded base, keep a close eye on younger swimmers as the water deepens quickly, and read any seasonal flags. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed.
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Camogli FAQ
Is Camogli good for families with young children?
It is beautiful but not the easiest. Camogli's beach is steep shingle that drops into deeper water fairly quickly, which is harder for toddlers than the gentle sandy shallows at Alassio or Sestri Levante. Older children who swim confidently are fine here with water shoes, and the village is a joy to spend time in, but for very young children the sandy beaches along the coast are the gentler choice.
Does Camogli have a sandy beach?
No. Camogli has a shingle and pebble beach, not sand, in keeping with much of this stretch of the Ligurian coast. The pebbles are hard on bare feet and the slope is steep, so water shoes are essential for getting in and out comfortably. If you have set your heart on soft sand for the children, base your beach day at Sestri Levante or Alassio instead.
Is Camogli beach free?
Partly. Camogli has free public shingle, the spiaggia libera, along the waterfront, alongside some paid sections that hire loungers and umbrellas. The free stretches cost nothing but fill in summer, so arrive early or take a paid spot when you want guaranteed shade and a flatter, more comfortable base on the pebbles. Day rates are to be confirmed.
How do you get to Camogli?
Camogli has its own railway station on the line between Genoa and the Cinque Terre, a short, steepish walk down to the waterfront, so arriving car free is easy. Driving is less appealing, since parking is limited and the village streets are tight. From the harbour, seasonal boats run to San Fruttuoso and Portofino, a lovely car free way to reach the coves nearby.
Is Camogli worth visiting if the beach is shingle?
Yes, for the village more than the swim. Camogli is one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Liguria, with its tall painted houses, working harbour and superb food, and it is a wonderful place to spend a day even if the shingle beach is not ideal for small children. Come for the atmosphere and an older child's swim, and save the toddler beach day for the sand nearby. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed.