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Rapallo, Italy, is a small seaside city on Italy’s Ligurian coast inside a stone’s throw of essentially the most glamorous spots on the Italian Riviera. I based mostly right here after I was touring across the Italian Riviera a couple of years in the past and it ended up being the proper place.
Rapallo is a well-liked city for Italian vacationers, however you’ll discover only a few foreigners right here. That, plus a dose of grittiness amongst the gorgeous seashores, retains issues feeling real and tremendous native.
Planning your journey to Rapallo final minute?
Whereas it’s not (but) a brilliant widespread spot with worldwide vacationers, Rapallo does obtain quite a lot of Italian vacationers so it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to ebook excursions & accommodations prematurely.
🇮🇹 Prime Experiences and Excursions in Rapallo:
- Dine with locals (An effective way to attempt native delicacies!)
- Be taught to make pesto (It originated within the Liguria area!)
- Go to different Italian Riviera cities (Rapallo makes an ideal base)
🛌 Prime-Rated Resorts in Rapallo:
- Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast (Luxurious lodge with an infinity pool & non-public seaside!)
- Resort Astoria (Mid-range lodge in a central location)
- Resort Italia e Lido Rapallo (Beachfront finances possibility)
🚗 Renting a automotive from the Pisa airport? Discover offers on automotive rental charges right here.
I’ll be sincere — when you get away from the waterfront, Rapallo is a bit gritty, and which may delay some vacationers. It’s not an unpleasant city, by any means, and the city middle is pleasantly fairly — however it’s nothing just like the dramatic cliff-top villages of the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre right here.
Personally, I like a metropolis with somewhat edge (it’s why Naples and Palermo are two of my favorites). It’s normally an indication that there are nice eating places right here — which is actually true in Rapallo. Plus, Rapallo has a stupendous seaside and the waterfront is a pleasant spot to {photograph}.
General, Italians journey to Rapallo as a result of they find it irresistible right here. (They really promote “F*ck it, let’s go to Rapallo” tote baggage within the shops. I nonetheless remorse not shopping for one.)
Better of all, Rapallo is definitely related to cities all around the coast, together with Cinque Terre, Portofino, and Camogli. You possibly can hop on a prepare, bus, or ferry, discover a couple of new cities on the Italian Riviera for the day, and be again in Rapallo in time for a scrumptious seaside dinner.
This publish was revealed in January 2025 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.
Finest Issues to Do in Rapallo, Italy
Stroll alongside the promenade
One of many first issues it’s essential to do in Rapallo is take a stroll alongside the seaside promenade. Right here you’ll see different vacationers and locals having fun with the passeggiatta strolling ritual as you admire the historic buildings, swaying palm bushes, and exquisite water.
The promenade, formally named Lungomare Vittorio Veneto, is the place you’ll discover Rapallo’s well-known Thursday market, Mercato del Giovedì. Relying on the time of 12 months, you might also be capable of see Christmas or Easter markets, summer season festivals, sporting occasions, and live shows alongside the promenade.
As you stroll alongside the Vittorio Veneto Promenade, you’ll be strolling previous a lot of Rapallo’s foremost sights. From the Sixteenth century fortress within the east to the fashionable marina to the west, you’ll cross Casa Garibalda, the Octopus Fountain, statues, gardens, and seashores.
Dine with Rapallo locals
I by no means cross up an opportunity to take pleasure in the most effective regional Italian meals, particularly when it’s served in an Italian house!
On this non-public native eating expertise, you’ll be welcomed right into a household house in Rapallo for a scrumptious lunch or dinner. Your expertise begins within the kitchen the place your host will do a fast cooking demonstration to raised clarify the meals you’ll be consuming.
Subsequent, you’ll tuck right into a four-course meal of Ligurian specialties full with a starter, pasta, foremost, dessert, and native wine. All through the meal, you’ll get to know your host and their household, in addition to study extra about meals from this area of Liguria.
You’ll depart with a full abdomen, a wealth of data, and new native associates!
Be taught to make pesto
Pesto, arguably among the finest makes use of of basil attainable, originated within the Liguria area of Italy. Right here, the basil is second to none. Historically, pesto was made with a mortar and pestle, which is precisely the way you’ll study to make it on this pesto cooking class.
Class begins with a toast of glowing wine, adopted by details about the right way to put together pesto. Your information will help as you study to make pesto the genuine Ligurian approach.
After your onerous work, you’ll be capable of style the fruits of your labor. You’ll additionally take pleasure in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting with contemporary focaccia.
Simply don’t be shocked should you take a look at jarred pesto with contempt for the remainder of your life!
Be a part of the locals for aperitivo
Aperitivo is one in all my favourite Italian traditions: heading out for a pre-dinner drink with some mild bites or snacks. In Rapallo, the place summer season nights draw large crowds, you’ll see the streets develop into a hive of exercise simply earlier than dinnertime. Everybody finds their favourite aperitivo place and sits down at an outside desk for a cocktail and a few snacks.
Charlie and I loved a bunch of nice aperitivo evenings, and one spot we particularly favored was I Papi Neri. This space is stacked with tons of nice aperitivo bars.
So whilst you’re in Rapallo, do because the locals do! Deal with your self to an aperitivo after a giant day of exploring the coast. It’s one of the simplest ways to observe the solar go down and begin appeasing the start of your starvation.
Take the cable automotive to Santuario Basilica di Montallegro
Santuario Basilica di Montallegro, or The Sanctuary of Our Girl of Montallegro, is a stupendous church set excessive on a hill inland from Rapallo. The sanctuary sits simply over 2000 toes above sea degree and one of the simplest ways to get there from Rapallo is by cable automotive.
Departing each 10 to half-hour, the seven-minute cable automotive experience will take you excessive above the hills and seashores of Rapallo. Alongside the way in which, you’ll take pleasure in lovely coastal views till you attain the highest, the place the Sixteenth-century church awaits you.
Discover the traditional church the place you’ll discover a marble facade, lovely work, stained glass, and collectible figurines. The highest of the hill additionally has a restaurant and a few mountain climbing paths. You possibly can even hike up or down should you don’t wish to take the cable automotive.
Chill out on the seashores
There are a variety of public seashores and personal seaside golf equipment (bagni) in and round Rapallo. Near the city middle are the general public seashores Pomaro and San Michele. Pomaro is a small seaside with good views of the city, whereas San Michele is a rocky seaside with simple sea entry and vibrant water.
However for a extra serene setting, I like to recommend heading nearer to Portofino, the place you’ll discover a couple of highly-rated seashores like Paraggi Seaside and Niasca Seaside (each a 15-minute drive from Rapallo). Paraggi has a mixture of concrete and sand terrain, plus numerous beachside facilities Niasca is extra of a hidden gem accessed solely by foot or boat.
One of many nicest seashores within the space is in Sestri Levante, a city positioned about 25 minutes from Rapallo by automotive. Right here the seaside is break up into two, Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fairy Tales). Head to the Bay of Silence for a soothing and tranquil seaside day or head to the Bay of Fairy Tales for cafes and water actions. Each bays supply lovely views of the Ligurian Sea!
Go to the Rapallo Fortress
The Rapallo Fortress is a landmark on the town, jutting out over the water alongside the Gulf of Rapallo. The fortress was initially constructed as a part of the city partitions within the Sixteenth Century to defend the coast and discourage pirate assaults.
After later getting used as a jail, the fortress lastly grew to become a sightseeing landmark and residential to native occasions and displays within the 1990’s. Annually on July third in celebration of Our Girl of Montallegro, the fortress is lit up with colourful fireworks and smoke.
Find out about lace at Villa Tigullio
Villa Tigullio is a historic landmark in Rapallo, a house as soon as belonging to the Spinola household and now internet hosting vital cultural collections for the city. Inside Villa Tigullio you’ll discover the Lace Museum and the Worldwide Library.
Head to the Lace Museum to study in regards to the historical past of bobbin lace, which has been produced in Liguria because the Sixteenth Century. Try the completely different instruments and designs, plus take pleasure in numerous lace items that have been made within the Rapallo lace and embroidery manufacturing unit, which closed in 1968.
The skin of the villa is sort of spectacular as nicely. The grounds surrounding it are a part of Parco Casale, a stupendous place to stroll amongst greenery and uncommon crops. It’s additionally a superb place for hen watching or to look out over the ocean views.
See the Hannibal Bridge
Rapallo’s Hannibal Bridge, or Ponte di Annibale, is a single-arch stone bridge and one of many oldest constructions on the town. The existence of the bridge was first recorded in 1049 however the actual date it was constructed is unknown.
It’s not identified how the bridge bought its title. The rumor was that the bridge was utilized by Carthaginian commander Hannibal within the Second Punic Struggle. Nonetheless, there isn’t any historic information to recommend Hannibal was anyplace close to Rapallo on the time — and no details about how his title grew to become related to the bridge.
At present the bridge is just an historic construction to admire from afar, as entry has been closed to the general public. Regardless of not being a practical bridge, it nonetheless makes for a pleasant picture op throughout your time in Rapallo.
Spend a day in Cinque Terre
In fact, no journey to the Italian Riviera is full with out a go to to Cinque Terre, the well-known 5 coastal cities identified for his or her colourful houses and sheer cliffs. Nonetheless, staying in a single day in Cinque Terre is each costly and difficult with baggage, because the cities are steep and filled with stairs.
As a substitute, it’s super-easy to go to Cinque Terre from Rapallo (actually, that’s what I did myself!). From Might to October, there’s a every day ferry that connects Rapallo to the cities of Cinque Terre; year-round, you possibly can simply take a prepare to the city of Monterosso al Mare, which takes about 40 minutes, and hop on the native prepare to discover the 4 different cities from there.
The UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Cinque Terre is made up of 5 cities which are related by prepare, boat, and mountain climbing paths. Needless to say the boat service is seasonal, and sections of the mountain climbing path are sometimes closed because of climate and repairs.
Every city — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore — is exclusive in their very own approach, although all of them share lovely views. Monterosso is the one city with a big swimming seaside; Vernazza and Riomaggiore are every nice to stroll round; Corniglia is completely different, inland and up excessive; and Manarola has the final word postcard shot of Cinque Terre, which I like to recommend visiting simply earlier than sundown.
Take pleasure in exploring every city and discovering what makes this space so particular. However be warned, it will likely be packed through the summer season months!
Learn Extra: Information to the 5 Cities of Cinque Terre
Go to different Italian Riviera cities
Rapallo is a wonderful city to base your self in if you wish to discover different cities of the Italian Riviera. Listed below are a couple of of my favorites, and the right way to attain them from Rapallo.
The truth is, you possibly can simply make a loop, exploring Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and Camogli, earlier than heading again. Genoa is healthier to do by itself.
Santa Margherita Ligure: From Rapallo, it’s a straightforward 10-minute drive, bus or prepare experience, or 15-minute boat experience to Santa Margherita Ligure. You may additionally stroll there in round 45 minutes. As soon as there you possibly can admire the colourful houses and a whole lot of boats, go to the seashores, and revel in native contemporary seafood. This metropolis is bigger and extra middle-class than its extra well-known neighbor, Portofino.
Portofino: From Rapallo, it’s a 20-minute drive, 35-minute bus and prepare experience, or 30-minute boat experience to Portofino. You seemingly know Portofino as a scorching trip spot for the wealthy and well-known, and the small city is lined with luxurious boutiques. The cafes are good, however be warned — I paid 30 euros for 2 affogatos as soon as. About 5 occasions what it will value most different locations!
San Fruttuoso: Pretty San Fruttuoso is simply accessible by boat (except you hike in), with the journey taking about one hour. As soon as there you’ll be met by a stupendous seaside, a medieval Romanesque Abbey, and a captivating village. San Fruttuoso is beautiful, however tremendous tiny — this pairs nicely with Portofino.
Camogli: Camogli is perhaps my favourite city on the Italian Riviera! It’s stress-free, attractive, there’s a good, large pebbly seaside with vibrant turquoise water, the seafood is scrumptious, and the homes are painted within the trademark sun-drenched shades of Liguria. Camogli is rather more widespread with Italians than worldwide vacationers — I discover it just like Rapallo that approach, however prettier general.
Genoa: Genoa, often called Genova in Italy, is the primary metropolis of Liguria and a 30-45 minute prepare experience from Rapallo. The town looks like a child Naples and is fairly gritty — however I cherished the darkish alleyways of the previous city, full of tiny bars serving super-cheap wine. I cherished exploring the darkish and slim alleys of Genova and popping into completely different wine bars across the metropolis. I additionally loved the little seaside within the colourful neighborhood of Boccadasse.
How A lot Time to Spend in Rapallo, Italy
Since Rapallo is a smaller port city, you possibly can simply see the primary sights in a single day. You may possibly stretch that to 2 days should you needed to spend a couple of hours mendacity on the seaside.
However I feel Rapallo’s foremost enchantment is that it makes such an ideal base for exploring the Italian Riviera. If that’s your plan, you possibly can simply spend per week right here. Spend a day in Cinque Terre, spend a day or two exploring completely different cities, spend a day or two on the seaside, and also you’ll be vacationing the way in which Italians do.
Get to Rapallo, Italy
You may get to Rapallo by prepare, bus or boat. The city is related to numerous locations alongside the Ligurian coast by prepare, equivalent to Cinque Terre, or by bus, equivalent to Santa Margherita Ligure.
If you happen to’re flying into Italy, the closest airports to Rapallo are in Genoa and Pisa. Genoa is technically nearer, however Pisa usually has extra connections, particularly on finances airways. From Genoa, it’s a 30-45 minute prepare experience to Rapallo, and from Pisa, it’s a two-hour prepare experience to Rapallo.
You may additionally select to fly into Milan, which might be the higher selection should you’re coming from one other continent. From there, it’s a 2.5 hour prepare experience to Rapallo.
The place to Keep in Rapallo, Italy
Regardless of not being as widespread with worldwide vacationers and regardless of being a smaller metropolis, Rapallo nonetheless has numerous nice lodging choices. As a bonus, you’ll pay considerably much less for a room right here than you’d in close by Portofino or Cinque Terre!
- Prime-Rated Luxurious Resort in Rapallo: Old style magnificence and unbeatable views await you at Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast. The gorgeous property additionally options an infinity pool, terrace and personal seaside.
- Prime-Rated Mid-Vary Resort in Rapallo: Resort Astoria is an easy, but fashionable, possibility in a really central location in Rapallo. The lodge provides breakfast, bike leases and airport transfers.
- Prime-Rated Finances Resort in Rapallo: Resort Italia e Lido Rapallo is able to welcome you with clear rooms, an outside terrace, and a stupendous beachfront location. Friends rave in regards to the quick access to the water and continental breakfast.
Discover offers on locations to remain in Rapallo right here.
Finest Time to Go to Rapallo, Italy
Summer season is THE time to go to the Italian Riviera, when each native Italians and worldwide vacationers flock to the coast for solar and sea. But when the excessive temperatures and huge crowds of summer season aren’t for you, I’d advocate visiting in spring or fall.
If you happen to nonetheless wish to take pleasure in summer season vibes however miss the height of the busy season, I recommend planning your journey for early June. The climate will likely be good however the largest crowds gained’t have arrived but.
I wouldn’t advocate a go to to Rapallo in winter, as lots of the small cities on the Italian Riviera basically shut down over winter. Ferries don’t run and also you gained’t be capable of take pleasure in among the greatest elements of the Ligurian coast.
Is Rapallo Value It?
Sure, I completely suppose Rapallo is price it! I actually dug the vibe of the city — not too flashy, however some fairly seashores and a pleasant waterfront, with numerous good aperitivo bars.
And so far as bases for exploring the Italian Riviera go, I feel Rapallo can be an incredible selection for you.
I hope you could have the most effective time in Rapallo! (And now, I’ve to plan my return so I should purchase that “F*ck it, let’s go to Rapallo” tote bag…)
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Have you ever been to Rapallo, Italy? Share your favourite experiences!
