Camogli is clustered around its delightful waterfront, from which the town ascends via steep, staircased lanes to Via XX Settembre, one of the few streets in the town proper to accommodate cars (this is where the train station, tourist office, and many shops and other businesses are located). Adding to the charm of this setting is the fact that the oldest part of Camogli juts into the harbor on a little point (once an island) where ancient houses cling to the little Castello Dragone (now closed to the public) and the 12th-century Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta ([tel] 0185-770-130), with an impressively overly baroque interior that’s open daily 7:30am to noon and 3:30 to 7pm. Most visitors, though, seem drawn to the pleasant seaside promenade that runs the length of the town. You can swim from the pebbly beach below, and should you feel your towel doesn’t provide enough comfort, rent a lounge from one of the few beach stations for around 10€.
