San Fruttuoso Abbey sits at the end of a bay on the Portofino promontory, where no road arrives: you reach it only by boat or on foot. It is run by FAI (the Italian national trust) and open all year, with one big caveat: if the sea is too rough the boats from Camogli do not sail and the abbey closes.
By Italian Riviera editorial team·Updated on ·5 min read
Hours and tickets
FAI’s published hours and prices. They can change with sea conditions and events, so check the FAI site before you go.
Period
Hours
January and February
10:00–15:45, closed on non-holiday Mondays
March and October
10:00–15:45
April and May
10:00–16:45
June to 14 September
10:00–17:45
From 15 September
10:00–16:45
November and December
10:00–15:45, closed on non-holiday Mondays; closed 25 December
Ticket
Price
Adult
€10
Reduced (ages 6–18) and students up to 25
€5
Family (2 adults and children 6–18)
€26
Under 6, FAI members, visitors with disabilities and one companion
Free
Buy tickets online on the FAI website, where you also find guided visits and events; the abbey’s phone is +39 0185 772703.
How to get there
By boat from Camogli
This is the easiest way. From Camogli-San Fruttuoso station to the harbour it is about 550 metres, 7 minutes on foot. The Golfo Paradiso line Camogli – Punta Chiappa – San Fruttuoso runs all year, but only in good sea conditions. In 2026 boats leave Camogli roughly every hour:
April, May and October: daily, 9:00 to 16:00
June and September: 9:00 to 17:00; last return from San Fruttuoso at 18:00
July and August: 9:00 to 18:00; last return at 19:00
November and December: few sailings (9:00, 11:00, 12:00, 15:00 and, on Saturdays and holidays only, 14:00); no service on Mondays or on 25 December
2026 fares for Camogli – San Fruttuoso are €11 one way and €17 return (children 4–12: €7 and €11; under 3 travel free). A line from Recco calls at Camogli: Saturdays and holidays only in spring, daily from June to September. Always check current times on golfoparadiso.it.
From Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo
On the other side of the promontory, the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio sails from Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. Timetables are seasonal and depend on the sea: see traghettiportofino.it. In the busiest months there are also boats from Genoa, Chiavari, Lavagna and Sestri Levante.
On foot
Trails of the Portofino Park lead down to the bay. You can walk from Camogli (about 2.5 hours according to hiking guides) or from Portofino (see the guide Portofino – San Fruttuoso: about 280 m of climbing and a good two hours). It is downhill on the way there and uphill on the way back: wear proper shoes, bring water and know the last boat time. Warning: the Via delle Batterie from Camogli (Passo del Bacio, Via dei Tubi) is subject to bans by the Municipality of Camogli: check the Portofino Park website before setting out. More routes are on our trekking in Liguria page.
There is no road and no parking. Leave your car in Camogli.
What to see
The visit takes about an hour. The abbey has three levels linked by stairs and includes the cloister, the church, the Doria tombs, archaeological finds and the fishing hamlet.
Cloister and Doria tombs
A church was founded here in the 8th century; the complex was rebuilt as a Benedictine monastery in the 10th. From the 13th century the Doria, a Genoese family, made it their burial place: their 14th-century tombs in white marble and grey stone are still there. In 1551 Pope Julius III gave the patronage of the abbey to Andrea Doria.
The Doria Tower
The tower dominating the bay was built in 1562 by the heirs of Admiral Andrea Doria and restored by FAI. You see it well from the hamlet, but we found no official information on whether you can climb it: ask at the entrance.
In 1983 Frank and Orietta Pogson Doria Pamphilj donated the abbey to FAI; in 2017 the freshwater spring was restored as well.
Beach and Christ of the Abyss
In front of the abbey is a pebble beach, mostly free, with one beach club. In 2026 San Fruttuoso was awarded a Blue Flag together with Camogli beach. For swimming, follow the Coast Guard orders and the areas marked by buoys: the bay lies within the Portofino Marine Protected Area. It is crowded in summer: go early in the morning.
On the sea floor of the bay stands the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue by Guido Galletti lowered in 1954 in memory of Dario Gonzatti and of all who died at sea. Sources give a depth of 15 to 18 metres. History, diving rules and the summer ceremony are in our guide Christ of the Abyss.
Practical tips
Check the sea: in rough weather the boats stop and the abbey closes. Look at the weather in Liguria the day before.
Last boat: check the last return time before settling on the beach.
Accessibility: the site is hard for visitors with reduced mobility or wheelchair users. From the landing you climb one flight of steps, go down another, cross a stretch of beach and climb three more flights. Visitors with disabilities and one companion enter free.
Dogs: small dogs in a carrier or carried, and certified guide or assistance dogs on a leash, are allowed. A paid dog-minding service at the entrance must be booked 48 hours ahead.
Food: FAI mentions the restaurant La Cantina, whose hours we could not confirm: bring water and a snack.
Where to stay
The hamlet has one apartment for up to three people, the “residenza di charme” in a fishermen’s house, run by the Landmark Trust (book at landmarktrust.org.uk). For a simpler option stay in Camogli, in Portofino (see where to stay in Portofino) or in Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo.
Nearby
Portofino lies on the other side of the promontory; in Camogli look at the beaches. A line from Recco calls at Camogli.
Where it is
San Fruttuoso Abbey is in Camogli (Riviera di Levante, Golfo Paradiso).
Adult €10, reduced €5 (ages 6–18 and students up to 25), family €26. Free for under 6 and FAI members. The boat is extra: from Camogli €11 one way, €17 return.
How do you get to San Fruttuoso?
Only by boat or on foot: there are no roads. Boats leave Camogli all year (in good sea conditions), and Recco, Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo according to the season.
Is the abbey open all year?
Yes, with changing hours: it closes on non-holiday Mondays from November to February, on 25 December and when rough seas stop the boats.
Can you swim at San Fruttuoso?
Yes, from the beach in front of the abbey, in the areas allowed by the orders and buoys. It is a pebble beach, often crowded in summer.
Are dogs allowed?
Small dogs in a carrier or carried and certified guide or assistance dogs are allowed inside. FAI also offers dog-minding at the entrance, to be booked 48 hours ahead.
Is it accessible by wheelchair?
It is difficult: there are stairs between the three levels and on the way from the landing. Visitors with disabilities and one companion enter free; call +39 0185 772703 for details.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Camogli
All places to stay in Camogli on Booking: compare prices and availability.
