Have you heard about the hidden beach in San Fruttuoso? If you haven’t lived in Liguria, probably not. This undiscovered gem is located on the peninsula between Camogli and Portofino. A pebbly beach with emerald water hides in a bay among rocks and pine trees. On its shore, the Benedictine fathers built their abbey – Abbazia di San Fruttuoso (10th-13th centuries). The white walls of the monastery contrast beautifully with the strong colour of the water and trees. Another hidden treasure of the bay (unfortunately only visible to divers) is the statue of Jesus, Christ of the Abyss, erected at a depth of 17 metres. San Fruttuoso can only be reached by boat or on foot via a mountain trail. Its inaccessibility, proximity to the monastery, omnipresent nature and its elements make the place even more magical and sacred. And despite the cloudy November weather, I was sure that the photo session in San Fruttuoso would be an unforgettable memory for Maddie and Greg.
How do you plan a day trip to San Fruttuoso?
If you ever visit Liguria, San Fruttuoso is a great idea for a one-day trip. As I mentioned above, the abbey can only be reached by boat or on foot. The ferry leaves from the port of Camogli (Cruise Terminal) and runs between Camogli – Punta Chiappa – San Fruttuoso. You can use this company, for example. The journey takes about 30 minutes and from the ferry deck you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of Camogli. There are also two trekking trails leading to the abbey. The first (Batterie) is very challenging and leads partly along a cliff. On the route you can see several World War II bunkers. The second (Pietre Strette) is located inland and is much easier. There are several small bars in San Fruttuoso, but remember that they are only open during the season. So if you want to have a picnic on the beach, you should also consider taking drinks or food with you.
