Gulf of Paradise – From Bogliasco to Camogli

The Gulf of Paradise that precedes the Promontory of Portofino borders a beautiful stretch of coastline, from Nervi not far east of Genoa, to Camogli , with a succession of coves, old fishing villages such as Bogliasco, Recco and small beaches.

Bogliasco, Pieve Ligure and Sori

Bogliasco is a small village with a traditional appearance quite close to Genoa, clinging to its pretty cove, between the 800 metres of Mount Cordona and the sea, with its fishing boats, its typical colourful houses, interesting churches, but also its surfer beaches.
A beautiful trail crosses nature and climbs towards San Bernardo, then reaches Pieve Ligure.

Pieve Ligure is a pretty town with its lower and upper parts.

Sori has an interesting medieval centre, including the old Via Sant’Erasmo, or the more recent Napoleonic bridge on the Via Aurelia. The Fulle mill is the last water mill still in operation in Liguria.
Sori can be reached from Bogliasco by a beautiful trail, part of the trail from Genoa to Portovenere.

Recco

Recco is a friendly coastal town, best known for its famous cheese focaccia, the Focaccia di Recco, a white flatbread stuffed with melted cheese! This tasty dish is celebrated on the first weekend of September, when the “Sagra della Focaccia di Recco” is held.
Recco can be an interesting base for exploring the region, although it has fewer tourist attractions than some of the neighbouring towns. However, it does have a heritage, including the interesting 17th-century sanctuary of Our Lady of Suffrage, with neo-Gothic architecture, an elegant façade and a beautiful interior with frescoes and light fixtures.

Camogli

To the west of the promontory of Portofino, on the eastern side of the Gulf of Paradise, Camogli is one of the most striking villages of the Riviera di Levante.
Its seafront leaves no one indifferent, being one of the most picturesque on the Ligurian coast. The colourful houses line the beach, two small bays are separated by a picturesque rock on which stands the medieval castle and the church, separating the pebble beach from the small harbour.
The basilica of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the 12th century on this islet, the heart of local life for many centuries. It was modified in particular in the 16th and early 20th centuries. The Dragone castle is next to the church, a fort whose origins date back to the 13th century.
In the town centre, the maritime museum of Camogli has a collection covering mainly the period from Napoleonic times to the present day.
Two remarkable annual events take place in Camogli: the Fish Festival and the Stella Maris Festival, the fried fish festival on the second Sunday of March, and the traditional festival respectively on the first Sunday of August with its maritime show.

From Camogli, the promontory of Portofino can be reached on foot via trails, including the Punta Chiappa located at the western tip. This headland overlooking the sea is protected by a wooded regional nature park. On the way to the tip, the view embraces the entire Gulf of Paradise as far as Genoa. The path passes in particular through the hamlet of San Rocco and its beautiful views over the Ligurian coast.

Map

Information

• Bogliasco: oggidoveandiamo.com
• Recco: en.wikipedia.org, prolocorecco.it
• Camogli: en.wikipedia.org, genovaturismo.it, www.tropicalspiritblog.it, www.welcomecamogli.it