The Cinque Terre villages of Italy are probably the most well known villages of the Ligurian Coast of Italy though there many other towns that deserve attention.
 

Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore

 
Being so close to our beloved Piemonte region, we often return here to explore a few more villages along the coast.
We love staying in Santa Margherita Ligure, a fun town that provides us with a central base for our travels. In five minutes you can be in Ravello, in twenty minutes you can be walking along the beachfront of Chiaveri or heading to Sestri Levante. A visit to the Cinque Terre is only one hour away. We’ve even been known to head to Monterosso for dinner!
 
Sestri Levante
Sestri Levante

 
We also love to visit Camogli. Often we walk to Portofino and then catch the ferry to Camogli stopping at the Abbey of San Fruttuosa di Capodimante on the way. There is also a small fishing village not far from here.
 
San Fruttuosa is only accessible by sea or on foot and there are far too many hills for me! The abbey is built on the beach of a small alcove on the promontory behind Portofino.
San Fruttuoso
San Fruttuosa as seen from the water

 
In the early days, there was no beach and the boats used to moor under the arches. You can now tour the eighth century abbey that was built to house the remains of the matyr San Fruttuosa and also see the 10th -11th century Cloisters, the Chapter House and the Church. Parts of the Monastery are medieval, others Romanesque but before you go, ask your hotel to check that the main monastery and the Doria Bell Tower will be open.
In 1954 a life size bronze statue of the Christ of the Abyss was dropped into 15m of water just off the beach.  A replica is in the church but if you want to see the original, there are glass bottom boat tours available.
The Abbey of San Fruttuoso
The Abbey of San Fruttuosa

 
Spend an hour or two here and then catch the next ferry to Camogli.
 
Visiting Camogli
Camogli is a beautiful fishing village known for its painted houses. A stunning view welcomes you.
Camogli
The view of Camogli from the ferry

 
The colourful houses of Camogli
The colourful houses of Camogli

 
The centre of Camogli is its harbour filled with small fishing boats.
The fishing boat harbour of colourful Camogli
The fishing boat harbour of colourful Camogli

 
Fishing boat harbour of Camogli
The fishing boats in Camogli

 
Around the quay, fishing nets dry adding to the atmosphere.
Nets drying in Camogli fishing harbour
Nets drying in the harbour

 
Camogli s not a very big town. The name Camogli, means ‘houses close to together’ and as you wander the narrow lanes,  you can admire the tall pastel coloured houses many of which are decorated with trompe l’oeil features…..and washing!
 

 
A late lunch of grilled fish in one of the small restaurants along the waterfront was a perfect finish to the day before we headed to the train station for our trip back to Santa Margherita Ligure.
 
 
 
Have you been to Camogli?
 
 
This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Don’t forget to pop over and see the other contributions.