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Rapallo, Italy, is a small seaside city on Italy’s Ligurian coast inside a stone’s throw of probably the most glamorous spots on the Italian Riviera. I based mostly right here once 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 beautiful seashores, retains issues feeling real and tremendous native.
Planning your journey to Rapallo final minute?
Whereas it’s not (but) a brilliant in style spot with worldwide vacationers, Rapallo does obtain numerous Italian vacationers so it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to e book excursions & motels upfront.
🇮🇹 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 a terrific base)
🛌 Prime-Rated Accommodations in Rapallo:
- Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast (Luxurious resort with an infinity pool & personal seaside!)
- Lodge Astoria (Mid-range resort in a central location)
- Lodge Italia e Lido Rapallo (Beachfront funds possibility)
🚗 Renting a automobile from the Pisa airport? Discover offers on automobile rental charges right here.
I’ll be sincere — when you get away from the waterfront, Rapallo is a bit gritty, and that may delay some vacationers. It’s not an unsightly city, by any means, and the city middle is pleasantly fairly — nevertheless 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 a little bit edge (it’s why Naples and Palermo are two of my favorites). It’s often an indication that there are nice eating places right here — which is definitely true in Rapallo. Plus, Rapallo has a ravishing seaside and the waterfront is a pleasant spot to {photograph}.
Total, Italians journey to Rapallo as a result of they adore it right here. (They really promote “F*ck it, let’s go to Rapallo” tote luggage within the shops. I nonetheless remorse not shopping for one.)
Better of all, Rapallo is well related to cities all around the coast, together with Cinque Terre, Portofino, and Camogli. You may 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 put up was printed in January 2025 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.
Greatest Issues to Do in Rapallo, Italy
Stroll alongside the promenade
One of many first issues you have 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 timber, and delightful 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 yr, you might also be capable to see Christmas or Easter markets, summer time festivals, sporting occasions, and live shows alongside the promenade.
As you stroll alongside the Vittorio Veneto Promenade, you’ll be strolling previous lots of Rapallo’s important sights. From the Sixteenth century fort within the east to the trendy 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 perfect regional Italian meals, particularly when it’s served in an Italian residence!
On this personal native eating expertise, you’ll be welcomed right into a household residence 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 higher 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, important, 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 go away with a full abdomen, a wealth of data, and new native buddies!
Be taught to make pesto
Pesto, arguably probably the greatest makes use of of basil potential, 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 put together pesto. Your information will help as you study to make pesto the genuine Ligurian means.
After your onerous work, you’ll be capable to style the fruits of your labor. You’ll additionally take pleasure in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting with recent focaccia.
Simply don’t be stunned when you take a look at jarred pesto with contempt for the remainder of your life!
Be part of the locals for aperitivo
Aperitivo is considered one of my favourite Italian traditions: heading out for a pre-dinner drink with some mild bites or snacks. In Rapallo, the place summer time nights draw massive crowds, you’ll see the streets change into a hive of exercise simply earlier than dinnertime. Everybody finds their favourite aperitivo place and sits down at an out of doors desk for a cocktail and a few snacks.
Charlie and I loved a bunch of nice aperitivo evenings, and one spot we particularly preferred was I Papi Neri. This space is stacked with tons of nice aperitivo bars.
So when 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 the easiest way to observe the solar go down and begin appeasing the start of your starvation.
Take the cable automobile to Santuario Basilica di Montallegro
Santuario Basilica di Montallegro, or The Sanctuary of Our Woman of Montallegro, is a ravishing church set excessive on a hill inland from Rapallo. The sanctuary sits simply over 2000 toes above sea stage and the easiest way to get there from Rapallo is by cable automobile.
Departing each 10 to half-hour, the seven-minute cable automobile journey will take you excessive above the hills and seashores of Rapallo. Alongside the way in which, you’ll take pleasure in stunning 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, stunning work, stained glass, and collectible figurines. The highest of the hill additionally has a restaurant and a few mountain climbing paths. You may even hike up or down when you don’t need to take the cable automobile.
Calm down on the seashores
There are a selection 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 straightforward sea entry and vivid water.
However for a extra serene surroundings, I like to recommend heading nearer to Portofino, the place you’ll discover a couple of highly-rated seashores like Paraggi Seashore and Niasca Seashore (each a 15-minute drive from Rapallo). Paraggi has a mixture of concrete and sand terrain, plus a lot of 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 automobile. 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 provide stunning views of the Ligurian Sea!
Go to the Rapallo Citadel
The Rapallo Citadel is a landmark on the town, jutting out over the water alongside the Gulf of Rapallo. The fort 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 fort lastly turned a sightseeing landmark and residential to native occasions and displays within the 1990’s. Annually on July third in celebration of Our Woman of Montallegro, the fort 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 essential 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 concerning 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 taking a look at a lot of lace items that had been made within the Rapallo lace and embroidery manufacturing unit, which closed in 1968.
The skin of the villa is kind of spectacular as properly. The grounds surrounding it are a part of Parco Casale, a ravishing place to stroll amongst greenery and uncommon crops. It’s additionally place for chook 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 precise date it was constructed is unknown.
It’s not identified how the bridge obtained its title. The rumor was that the bridge was utilized by Carthaginian commander Hannibal within the Second Punic Warfare. Nonetheless, there isn’t a historic knowledge to counsel Hannibal was wherever close to Rapallo on the time — and no details about how his title turned related to the bridge.
In the present day the bridge is just an historical 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 no 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 tough with luggage, because the cities are steep and stuffed with stairs.
As an alternative, 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 day by 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 as a consequence of climate and repairs.
Every city — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore — is exclusive in their very own means, although all of them share stunning 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.
Get pleasure from exploring every city and discovering what makes this space so particular. However be warned, it will likely be packed through the summer time months!
Learn Extra: Information to the 5 Cities of Cinque Terre
Go to different Italian Riviera cities
Rapallo is a superb 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 attain them from Rapallo.
In actual fact, you would simply make a loop, exploring Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and Camogli, earlier than heading again. Genoa is best to do by itself.
Santa Margherita Ligure: From Rapallo, it’s a simple 10-minute drive, bus or prepare journey, or 15-minute boat journey to Santa Margherita Ligure. You could possibly additionally stroll there in round 45 minutes. As soon as there you possibly can admire the colourful houses and lots of of boats, go to the seashores, and luxuriate in native recent 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 journey, or 30-minute boat journey to Portofino. You doubtless 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 instances what it could price most different locations!
San Fruttuoso: Beautiful San Fruttuoso is barely accessible by boat (until you hike in), with the journey taking about one hour. As soon as there you’ll be met by a ravishing seaside, a medieval Romanesque Abbey, and a captivating village. San Fruttuoso is gorgeous, however tremendous tiny — this pairs properly with Portofino.
Camogli: Camogli is likely to be my favourite city on the Italian Riviera! It’s stress-free, beautiful, there’s a good, big pebbly seaside with vivid turquoise water, the seafood is scrumptious, and the homes are painted within the trademark sun-drenched shades of Liguria. Camogli is rather more in style with Italians than worldwide vacationers — I discover it just like Rapallo that means, however prettier general.
Genoa: Genoa, referred to as Genova in Italy, is the primary metropolis of Liguria and a 30-45 minute prepare journey from Rapallo. Town appears like a child Naples and is fairly gritty — however I cherished the darkish alleyways of the previous city, crammed with tiny bars serving super-cheap wine. I cherished exploring the darkish and slender 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 could possibly possibly stretch that to 2 days when you wished to spend a couple of hours mendacity on the seaside.
However I feel Rapallo’s important attraction is that it makes such a terrific base for exploring the Italian Riviera. If that’s your plan, you would 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.
How one can Get to Rapallo, Italy
You will get to Rapallo by prepare, bus or boat. The city is related to a lot of locations alongside the Ligurian coast by prepare, akin to Cinque Terre, or by bus, akin to Santa Margherita Ligure.
For those who’re flying into Italy, the closest airports to Rapallo are in Genoa and Pisa. Genoa is technically nearer, however Pisa typically has extra connections, particularly on funds airways. From Genoa, it’s a 30-45 minute prepare journey to Rapallo, and from Pisa, it’s a two-hour prepare journey to Rapallo.
You could possibly additionally select to fly into Milan, which might be the higher selection when you’re coming from one other continent. From there, it’s a 2.5 hour prepare journey to Rapallo.
The place to Keep in Rapallo, Italy
Regardless of not being as in style with worldwide vacationers and regardless of being a smaller metropolis, Rapallo nonetheless has a lot of 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 Lodge in Rapallo: Old-fashioned magnificence and unbeatable views await you at Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast. The beautiful property additionally options an infinity pool, terrace and personal seaside.
- Prime-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Rapallo: Lodge Astoria is a straightforward, but fashionable, possibility in a really central location in Rapallo. The resort presents breakfast, bike leases and airport transfers.
- Prime-Rated Price range Lodge in Rapallo: Lodge Italia e Lido Rapallo is able to welcome you with clear rooms, an out of doors terrace, and a ravishing beachfront location. Visitors rave concerning the easy accessibility to the water and continental breakfast.
Discover offers on locations to remain in Rapallo right here.
Greatest Time to Go to Rapallo, Italy
Summer time 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 enormous crowds of summer time aren’t for you, I’d advocate visiting in spring or fall.
For those who nonetheless need to take pleasure in summer time vibes however miss the height of the busy season, I counsel planning your journey for early June. The climate will probably be good however the largest crowds received’t have arrived but.
I wouldn’t advocate a go to to Rapallo in winter, as most of the small cities on the Italian Riviera basically shut down over winter. Ferries don’t run and also you received’t be capable to take pleasure in among the greatest elements of the Ligurian coast.
Is Rapallo Price It?
Sure, I completely assume Rapallo is value it! I actually dug the vibe of the city — not too flashy, however some fairly seashores and a pleasant waterfront, with a lot of good aperitivo bars.
And so far as bases for exploring the Italian Riviera go, I feel Rapallo could be a tremendous selection for you.
I hope you’ve the perfect 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!
