For MSC and Costa Cruises passengers
Cruise from Genoa: what to do before and after, staying in the Tigullio.
You are boarding in Genoa but the port is not where to spend the holiday. Rapallo is 35 km away, 30 minutes by train or car, and offers the best way to begin or end the cruise: a real seaside town, the seafront promenade, fish restaurants, none of the port crowd.
Why Rapallo
Why choose Rapallo instead of Genoa for the pre/post-cruise stay
Genoa is a big city: noisy, congested, with expensive hotels near the port and in transit areas. Rapallo is the opposite: a seaside village, a 2 km waterfront, fish restaurants, frequent trains to Genoa in 30 minutes. Most MSC and Costa passengers who discover this solution never go back.
Suggested itineraries
What to do in 1, 2 or 3 days in Rapallo before or after your cruise
1 day
Morning: arrive in Rapallo, walk the Vittorio Veneto seafront, visit the Castle on the Sea.
Lunch: typical trattoria in the old town, fish or focaccia.
Afternoon: cable car to the Montallegro Sanctuary (gulf panorama).
Evening: aperitivo on the piazzetta.
2 days
Day 1: Rapallo as above.
Day 2: morning ferry to Portofino (15 min), walk up Punta del Capo (Castello Brown and Lighthouse), lunch on the piazzetta, afternoon at Paraggi or back to Camogli (painted houses and pebble beach).
3 days
Day 1: Rapallo.
Day 2: Portofino + Camogli.
Day 3: train day-trip to Cinque Terre (50 min to Monterosso), visit 2-3 villages, return in the evening. Next morning: transfer to the port for the cruise.
Boarding logistics
How to reach the Genoa cruise terminal from Rapallo
Genoa's main cruise terminal (Stazione Marittima) hosts MSC, Costa Cruises and other lines. Three ways to get there from Rapallo:
- Train + metro/taxi (recommended): Rapallo → Genoa Piazza Principe (~30 min, 6 EUR), then metro one stop to Principe-Dinegro or taxi to the terminal (~10 EUR). About 1 hour total, ~15 EUR per person.
- Car + parking: 30 minutes via A12 + Genova Ovest exit. Stazione Marittima parking 25-35 EUR/day for the cruise length. Best for groups with heavy luggage.
- Private shuttle: door-to-door service Rapallo to terminal, 80-120 EUR for 4 people. Best option for families or seniors.
When to leave Rapallo: boardings are usually 12:00-16:00. Depart Rapallo by 09:30 at the latest to arrive at 11:00 with margin for delays.
Pre-opening
Join the newsletter to get the opening date and a reserved offer.
Rapallo Smart Home opens in the coming months. We are completing the interior setup and the paperwork for the CIN (Italian short-stay licence). Leave your email to be notified first and receive a special offer for pre/post-cruise stays.
Frequently asked questions
Genoa cruise and Rapallo: everything you need to know
How far is Rapallo from the port of Genoa?
35 km: 30 minutes by car via A12 or 30-40 minutes by train (Rapallo-Genoa Principe, then metro or taxi to the terminal). A direct taxi costs 65-85 EUR.
Is it better to stay in Genoa or Rapallo before the cruise?
Genoa has hotels closer to the port but it is a big city with high prices near the terminal. Rapallo offers a quiet seaside stay, sea views, prices 30-50% lower and the port is 30-40 minutes away.
How many days do I need in the Tigullio before the cruise?
Two to three days are ideal. With one day, just Rapallo + Portofino. With three days, add Camogli or Cinque Terre. On boarding morning, leave early for the port.
Is there a luggage service for the cruise?
Some Tigullio hotels offer luggage storage for guests returning from a cruise without staying overnight. As an alternative, a regional train with luggage and a direct taxi to the terminal are simple solutions. Stazione Marittima has the boarding storage.
Can I leave my car during the cruise?
Yes: Stazione Marittima parking (25-35 EUR/day with online booking) or parking in Rapallo (24 EUR/day at the via Betti multi-storey) for those continuing by train. The Stazione Marittima parking is often the better choice for long cruises.