Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
4.5
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Tra Camogli e Portofino, in una profonda insenatura nella frastagliata costa del Promontorio di Portofino, sorge la celebre Abbazia di San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte nell'intatto borgo marinaro omonimo. Dopo la prima frequentazione monastica, il complesso di San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte fu umile abitazione per pescatori, spesso covo di pirati, poi proprietà per secoli dei Principi Doria: un luogo assolutamente unico, dove l'opera dell'uomo si è felicemente integrata con quella della natura. Sono visitabili il complesso monastico del X-XI secolo con il Chiostro, la Sala Capitolare, la Chiesa; e le tombe dei Doria e il corpo a mare gotico del XIII secolo.
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- Michael CLondon, United Kingdom398 contributionsVery pictureque. A very good excursion for PortofinoGet the boat from Portofino, weather permitting. The approch from the sea is lovely and the architercture and setting divine. The inside is a bit of a disappointment though free admissdion for UK National Trust members did help (so have your card with you!). This also gains access to the better toilet facilities. There is a cafe with a terrace and small beach from which people were swimming. If you have the opportunity then I would certainly visit.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 7, 2024
- Anuj_MithaniMumbai, India4,514 contributionsMemorable visitWe took the ferry from Portofino to San Fruttuso. San Fruttuso is very secluded, as it is accessible only by sea or by hiking on foot. The first glimpse of the bay as you arrive by boat is very emotive. There's a small stretch of beach to lounge about if you wish, we didn't go inside the abbey. Interestingly, it's also a famous dive site with a submerged statue of the Christ of the Abyss.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 22, 2024
- ElenaLuxembourg City, Luxembourg6 contributionsA hidden gem of ItalyA pleasant hidden gem of Portofino. We came here by tourist boat, and it was worth it. Clean water and calming surroundings look better than on the pictures. However, bear in mind that the place gets really crowded after 11am therefore making the stay less pleasant. It is recommended to reserve the umbrella spot by phone a couple of days in advance. Like that you will get the first raw places. You can of course lay down on the free side of the beach using your own towels, however, there is not that much place and the stones get really hot. There are some bars and restaurants next to the spot. Better to reserve the table in advance. Must see!Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,490 reviews
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936
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374
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106
Poor
41
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33
Brett D
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
May 2022
I can recommend a trip to this abbey and beach from Portofino. We took the ferry and that in itself was a pleasant thing to do (good views of the lighthouse, coves and clifftop villas). We made a visit to the abbey - which is worthwhile (given its long history and isolation, and association with the Doria family). We spent some time on the beach - we hired sun lounges as the public areas were jam-packed with school kids (Friday school excursions!). We swam out to the statue of Christ in the abyss, but without diving gear could only get a glimpse of the statue (the water wasn't super clear that day). We saw many fish on the swim out and back though.
We then chose to walk back to Portofino (noting some reviews suggesting it was a pleasant walk). Be aware, it was quite a tough walk and it took us every bit of two hours to cover the 5km back. The path was not in good condition and in some areas I needed my hands to get up some of the climbs. Take lots of water too. I'm in my mid 50s but pretty fit, and I was knackered by the end. Great views though.
We then chose to walk back to Portofino (noting some reviews suggesting it was a pleasant walk). Be aware, it was quite a tough walk and it took us every bit of two hours to cover the 5km back. The path was not in good condition and in some areas I needed my hands to get up some of the climbs. Take lots of water too. I'm in my mid 50s but pretty fit, and I was knackered by the end. Great views though.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael C
London, UK398 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Get the boat from Portofino, weather permitting.
The approch from the sea is lovely and the architercture and setting divine. The inside is a bit of a disappointment though free admissdion for UK National Trust members did help (so have your card with you!). This also gains access to the better toilet facilities.
There is a cafe with a terrace and small beach from which people were swimming.
If you have the opportunity then I would certainly visit.
The approch from the sea is lovely and the architercture and setting divine. The inside is a bit of a disappointment though free admissdion for UK National Trust members did help (so have your card with you!). This also gains access to the better toilet facilities.
There is a cafe with a terrace and small beach from which people were swimming.
If you have the opportunity then I would certainly visit.
Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jörn G
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Boat tour that was supposed to go further to portofino ended here. We were "prisoned" for three hours. Beach access only with tickets that have to be bought in Camogli but nobody tells you. Unfriendly people that did not allow to take towels to the beach. Much too small, big rip off. Dont ever do this during season, only if you want to be treated like a dumb tourist
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alaka
Boston, MA21 contributions
Aug 2021
Unforgettable setting to spend a half-day by the beach. Make sure to take the early ferry or you will be stuck with no room on the beach because it is tiny and it gets very crowded. Make a reservation for lunch at Da Laura and you won't regret it. The beach is divided into two areas. We went to the beach club on the left (facing the abbey). Nice changing rooms. Would recommend (but again, only if you can get there on the early side).
Written December 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anuj_Mithani
Mumbai, India4,514 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We took the ferry from Portofino to San Fruttuso. San Fruttuso is very secluded, as it is accessible only by sea or by hiking on foot. The first glimpse of the bay as you arrive by boat is very emotive. There's a small stretch of beach to lounge about if you wish, we didn't go inside the abbey. Interestingly, it's also a famous dive site with a submerged statue of the Christ of the Abyss.
Written July 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sebastian K
8 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Nice place. Small but You can Have nice chill out on The Beach. You can choose private or public. You can Have Your towel. Avoid during Summer holidays as can be busy. Boat to Portofino in every hour. You just Need to ask or research. Dont be a dumb tourist
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RickSFlorida
Miami, FL173 contributions
Oct 2022
Excellent day trip from Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli. Very interesting Monastery, nice beach and 2 nice bars with views. Worth a trip. You will likely stop at Portofino as well if coming from Camogli. Nice trip and boat ride.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leejia
Bethesda, MD39 contributions
After seeing publications citing 2.5 hour hiking time from Camogli to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, we (athletic parents with 10 & 14 yo athletic kids) decided to give it a try. Boy, were we surprised. This hike took just over 4 hours and was quite strenuous. After about 1-2 km of easy walking from the Camogli train station, you start climbing hundreds of steps, which probably represented over 30 minutes of non-stop climbing and sweating. You're soon rewarded by arriving at a small but quaint hilltop town with shade and great views of the sea. We should've turned back here, but didn't realize that the REAL hike was just getting started. If you decide to continue, make sure to stock-up on snacks and water because you won't have an opportunity to do so for the next 3+ hours. Leaving this town, the trail becomes unpaved and takes you through beautiful wooded sections with frequent views of the sea. The trail is very well marked. There's a 2-hr option for a shorter (but probably steeper) inland route to the Abbey, but we opted for the 2.5-hr trail that went toward the sea, hoping it would be less strenuous. However, even this sea trail has a lot of steep parts. In fact there are several sections in which there is no trail at all. You come to a sheer rock face and the only way to continue the hike is to traverse this sheer rock face with the aid of sturdy metal cables that have been pitoned into the rock. There are at least two stretches, each probably being only 50 meters in length, where the only thing between you and certain death is your trust and grip on these cables. They are definitely sturdy and can hold a truck, but traversing these stretches can be scary. The rock face is nearly vertical, so you are going hand-over-hand along this horizontal cable while your feet are doing the same along the rock face. Looking down is truly terrifying as it must literally be 50-75 meters straight down to surf crashing over jagged rocks. It's been over two weeks since we completed this hike and my palms are still sweating over the recollection. Even though it was a 4+ hour hike, these 100 meters are the most vivid memory we have of the hike. We were about three hours into this hike, when we passed a couple coming from the Abbey. They were only 1.5 hrs out of the Abby but looked very tired - and really disheartended when we told them they had nearly 3 hours to go. The last 45 minutes to the Abbey are pretty excruciating. You climb nearly 30 straight minutes along steep switchbacks, then crest a ridge and descend some fairly steep trail with rubbery legs down to the Abbey. Thankfully, there is a well-stocked cafe adjacent to the Abby and beach, where we got some badly needed refreshment and had some time to refelect on our death-defying trek. Unfortunately, this left practically no time for us to explore the Abby as the final boat of the day leaves for Camogli at 5:00 pm. The boat ride back takes only about 15 minutes and is beautiful.
We left Camogli around 12 noon, and arrived at the Abby around 4:20 pm. This hike was pretty tough, and we had considered turning back several times, but we were all glad we accomplished (survived) it. For those considering it, you'll want to leave Camogli no later than 10:30 am in order to give yourself some time to see the Abbey and get some refreshment. There's a small, intimate (paid) beach that's not very crowded (which is a summer rarity in Italy), so don't forget your bathing suit, but be sure to leave even earlier.
We left Camogli around 12 noon, and arrived at the Abby around 4:20 pm. This hike was pretty tough, and we had considered turning back several times, but we were all glad we accomplished (survived) it. For those considering it, you'll want to leave Camogli no later than 10:30 am in order to give yourself some time to see the Abbey and get some refreshment. There's a small, intimate (paid) beach that's not very crowded (which is a summer rarity in Italy), so don't forget your bathing suit, but be sure to leave even earlier.
Written August 12, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NekoCat
Franklin, MA680 contributions
A hike to Abbey San Fruttuoso was not on our itinerary for Portofino, but when the hotel proprietor stated, "You walk to San Fruttuoso." and handed me the brochure, I felt compelled to do so.
The abbey can be reached by walking "over the hill" or by taking a 30 minute ferry from Portofino. Other towns in the area have ferries as well. The stated time to "walk" is 90 minutes, but we did it in 1 hour 15 minutes.
The trail from Portofino starts out as a nicely paved flagstone street with immediate inclines to get the heart pumping. You will pass a few posh homes and some really nice shore views. There are pretty olive groves, farms with cats, and wild flowers galore. An occasional vespa or smart-car may zing by you, but mostly it is just you and the little lizards sunning themselves. You will pass a small church with a sea horse mosaic made of stones at the entrance. Around this area beware of the unfriendly wild boar roaming the woods. Clearly, this is his territory.
At about the 30 minute mark, you will see a cardboard sign for a café advertising drinks. Stop in for a refreshment or keep on moving. Soon you will come to a cross-roads where the different trails disperse. There is a large display sign with photos of the sights to walk to. The sign for San Fruttuoso says 1 hour from here. At this point the trail is no longer flat flagstone, but pretty quickly turns to a dirt hiking tail. There are a few ocean views, but it is primarily a hiking trail through a dense forest. At one point we feel like Hansel and Gretel in the dark woods.
After many inclines and declines we see the signs for the Abbey and our adventure is soon over. I would say this is a hike for people of good health only. It is fairly challenging with lots of steep inclines and declines. The trails are fairly well maintained. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
The Abbey was not as exciting as the hike, but still an interesting and old place to tour for an hour. Outside, there is nice little pebble beach and a few cafés to sit at and stare at the gorgeous blue water. We took a boat back to Portofino for 7 EUR - well worth it. The thought of hiking back "over the hill" was not that enticing. Keep in mind, boats do not run if "high-seas".
The abbey can be reached by walking "over the hill" or by taking a 30 minute ferry from Portofino. Other towns in the area have ferries as well. The stated time to "walk" is 90 minutes, but we did it in 1 hour 15 minutes.
The trail from Portofino starts out as a nicely paved flagstone street with immediate inclines to get the heart pumping. You will pass a few posh homes and some really nice shore views. There are pretty olive groves, farms with cats, and wild flowers galore. An occasional vespa or smart-car may zing by you, but mostly it is just you and the little lizards sunning themselves. You will pass a small church with a sea horse mosaic made of stones at the entrance. Around this area beware of the unfriendly wild boar roaming the woods. Clearly, this is his territory.
At about the 30 minute mark, you will see a cardboard sign for a café advertising drinks. Stop in for a refreshment or keep on moving. Soon you will come to a cross-roads where the different trails disperse. There is a large display sign with photos of the sights to walk to. The sign for San Fruttuoso says 1 hour from here. At this point the trail is no longer flat flagstone, but pretty quickly turns to a dirt hiking tail. There are a few ocean views, but it is primarily a hiking trail through a dense forest. At one point we feel like Hansel and Gretel in the dark woods.
After many inclines and declines we see the signs for the Abbey and our adventure is soon over. I would say this is a hike for people of good health only. It is fairly challenging with lots of steep inclines and declines. The trails are fairly well maintained. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
The Abbey was not as exciting as the hike, but still an interesting and old place to tour for an hour. Outside, there is nice little pebble beach and a few cafés to sit at and stare at the gorgeous blue water. We took a boat back to Portofino for 7 EUR - well worth it. The thought of hiking back "over the hill" was not that enticing. Keep in mind, boats do not run if "high-seas".
Written September 21, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ferhardt
Malmö, Sweden92 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This probably used to be a pretty nice place however due to overdevelopment and too many tourists this place is a terrible and suffocating place .
We went there on a Thursday afternoon which is supposed be less crowded.
We were lucky to even find 1 square meter to place our towel on .
You can only go by ferry or foot( very far)
It was ok going there however with a change in portofino (not recommended if you get sea sick due to small boats )
Arriving we see a overtly crowded beach , and full restaurants.
We only stayed an hour and had a hassle of even getting on the ferry to the return trip.
Conclusion don't go here if you value your time and personal space .
We went there on a Thursday afternoon which is supposed be less crowded.
We were lucky to even find 1 square meter to place our towel on .
You can only go by ferry or foot( very far)
It was ok going there however with a change in portofino (not recommended if you get sea sick due to small boats )
Arriving we see a overtly crowded beach , and full restaurants.
We only stayed an hour and had a hassle of even getting on the ferry to the return trip.
Conclusion don't go here if you value your time and personal space .
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi RickSFlorida,
I am trying to find a day trip boat tour to Camogli. You mention in your comment of Abbazia di San Fruttuoso is a good day trip by boat. What company or tour did you take?
Thank you and best wishes,
Marisa
Written May 1, 2023
Vorrei visitare il Cristo degli Abissi mercoledì 9/9/2020. Come devo procedere?
Written September 5, 2020
Vorrei venire mercoledì 9/9 2020. È necessario prenotare per vedere il Cristo degli Abissi? Dove potrei alloggiare nelle serate di martedì 8 è mercoledì 9?
Written September 5, 2020
Buongiorno, vorrei sapere quanto dura indicativamente la navigazione da Recco a San Fruttuoso
Written August 24, 2019
Buongiorno, con il battello di linea i tempi di percorrenza sono 5-10 minuti da Recco a Camogli mentre da Camogli a San Fruttuoso 30 minuti indicativamente; in totale dunque si parla di una quarantina di minuti.
La aspettiamo in Abbazia!
Written September 4, 2019
Sapreste dirmi quanto costa il gozzo per arrivare al cristo degli abissi e se è inclusa la maschera?
Written August 7, 2019
Buongiorno, il servizio non è offerto dall'abbazia e può andare dai 5 ai 7 euro.
Il barcaiolo ha un battiscopio a bordo con cui si può vedere il Cristo degli Abissi, senza dovere immergersi in mare.
La aspettiamo per visitare l'Abbazia!
A presto.
Written August 8, 2019
aitchdw
Market Harborough, United Kingdom
We are staying on San Fruttuoso at the end of August for 3 nights, does anyone have any tips for buying groceries to take with you from Comogli, or for eating out in the evening? T
Written August 5, 2019
Hi! If you need something to eat during a break, we highly recommend you to buy some Focaccia and fruits in Camogli and then take it with you during the ferry trip to San Fruttuoso, otherwise there are some beautiful restaurants in the bay, where you can taste some traditional Ligurian dishes such as Lasagne al Pesto.
We are waiting for you to visit the Abbey and we hope you enjoy your stay.
Written August 6, 2019
Buongiorno!
Sapete dirmi quanto costa l'escursione con il "gozzo" che porta a vedere il Cristo degli abissi?
Grazie mille!
Written July 8, 2019
Mi dispiace non poter rispondere ma non ho vissuto questo genere di esperienza ....
Written July 24, 2019
Vorrei visitarla a gennaio, ma non so se i collegamenti da Milano (autostrade ,, traghetto ecc) sono funzionanti dopo il crollo del ponte..Grazie
Written December 31, 2018
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