Camogli Beach on the First Day of Summer.
Camogli Beach is one of the most recognisable views along the Ligurian coast, an image that immediately captures the character and beauty of this part of Italy. Colourful buildings stand close together beside the sea, while the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta provides a distinctive landmark in the background. This photograph was taken on the first Sunday of summer, during a relaxed afternoon walk in Camogli with a few friends.
Summer began quietly that year. The dreaded virus was still affecting everyday life, changing the habits of both tourists and local residents. Even a simple visit to a seaside town felt different from what we had been used to. There was still uncertainty, people were being careful, and many familiar activities required a little more thought than before. After such a difficult period, however, being able to enjoy the sea and spend a few hours outdoors with friends already felt like something special.
That Sunday afternoon, we decided to visit Camogli, one of the loveliest and most distinctive towns on the Ligurian Riviera, in the Gulf of Paradise near Genoa. We had no particular plan. We simply wanted to enjoy a stroll, take in the views and spend some time together. Camogli is perfect for this kind of visit: even without an itinerary, there is always something interesting to discover around its harbour, streets and waterfront.
The beach is one of the town’s most famous landmarks. Unlike many seaside destinations, it is not made up of a wide stretch of golden sand. Instead, smooth pebbles form a long shoreline beneath the colourful buildings that make Camogli so distinctive. From the beach, the view moves naturally between the open sea and the town itself. The houses create a beautiful backdrop, with their varied colours and traditional Ligurian architecture, while the historic buildings add another layer to the scene.
At the far end of the beach, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta can be seen overlooking the waterfront. Its origins date back to the twelfth century, although the building has been altered and enlarged over the centuries. Its position so close to the sea is part of what makes the view so special. In Camogli, the town’s history, religious heritage and maritime identity seem to meet in a very small space.
For me, this is one of the classic views of my Liguria. Some places remain beautiful no matter how many times we see them, and Camogli’s beach is certainly one of them. I would put it alongside the little harbour of Vernazza in the Cinque Terre and the Bay of Fables in Sestri Levante. They are very different locations, but each has become an unmistakable image of the Ligurian coast.
I enjoy photographing these familiar places because they are more than attractive views. They are part of the identity of the region, landscapes that many people immediately associate with Liguria. In this picture, the sea, the pebble beach, the colourful houses and the basilica come together to tell the story of Camogli. There is no need for an elaborate composition when the place itself offers such a wonderful setting.
That first day of summer may have felt quieter and more uncertain than usual, but the beauty of the landscape had not changed. The beach was still there, the sea stretched out in front of us, and Camogli offered another one of those views that make me happy to live and take photographs in Liguria.
And what about you? Have you ever walked along Camogli Beach and taken a photograph of this classic Ligurian view? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-S 10-18 lens.
If you want to see all the photos taken in the beautiful Riviera town, click here:

Here I’m also leaving you a video, which I made on another occasion, always in the little harbor of Camogli:
Video recorded with Gopro Hero5.
And these too:
Videos recorded with Gopro Hero 10 Black.
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