Golfo del Tigullio · your base
Rapallo: the seafront promenade, the castle on the sea and the cable car to Montallegro.
A palm-lined promenade with historic cafés. A 16th-century castle that mirrors itself in the sea. Eight minutes by cable car to the Sanctuary with views over the entire Tigullio. And the July Festivals with one of the finest fireworks displays on the Ligurian Riviera.
Rapallo, the liveable one
Rapallo is not the most dramatic town on the Riviera, but it is probably the most liveable. The Lungomare Vittorio Veneto is wide, shaded by palms and walkable for 1.5 km without traffic — a promenade lined with historic cafés and bars where you can sit watching the sea. Not glamorous like Portofino, not a fishing village like Camogli: a real town with everything you need.
The Castello sul Mare, built in the 16th century on a small promontory reached by a bridge, is the symbol of Rapallo. It is open to visitors and hosts temporary exhibitions. The old town has the Basilica dei SS. Gervasio e Protasio, the cloister of the former Valle Christi convent, Ligurian arcades and narrow lanes.
The Rapallo–Montallegro cable car climbs in 8 minutes to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montallegro at 615 metres altitude. The view from the Sanctuary over the entire Golfo del Tigullio — Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo, the outline of Sestri Levante — is one of the finest panoramas in Liguria. The Sanctuary was founded in 1557 and draws pilgrims every year for the July Festivals: on 1–2 July there is the procession; on 3 July the grand finale with fireworks over the sea, one of the best pyrotechnic displays on the Riviera.
Things to do in Rapallo
- Lungomare Vittorio Veneto — stroll, cafés, sea views
- Castello sul Mare (16th c.) — visits, temporary exhibitions
- Cable car to Montallegro — 8 min, panoramic views
- Montallegro Sanctuary — founded in 1557
- Basilica dei SS. Gervasio e Protasio — old town
- Via Mazzini — shopping and aperitivo
- Thursday market — Piazza Cavour, morning
- July Festivals — 1–3 July, fireworks on the sea
From Rapallo Smart Home: all of this is within walking distance. The seafront, the old town and the railway station for the rest of the Riviera are all reachable without a car.
Rapallo as a base
A well-connected town, the whole Riviera within a day's reach.
Rapallo sits at the geographical centre of the Riviera di Levante. From its rail hub you can reach both the Tigullio coast and the deeper Levante in very little time.
Rapallo station is on the Genoa–La Spezia line with frequent trains in both directions. Portofino is reachable by bus from Santa Margherita (5 min + 25 min) or by boat. Camogli and San Fruttuoso are to the north-west; Sestri Levante, Chiavari and the Cinque Terre to the south-east. Everything accessible without a car.
Stay here
Rapallo Smart Home: already here, already ready.
If you are reading this page you are probably already staying — or thinking about it. Rapallo Smart Home is a few minutes' walk from the centre and the station. The seafront is your natural terrace.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Rapallo.
Practical answers to help you plan your visit.
What to see in Rapallo in one day?
Lungomare Vittorio Veneto, the 16th-century Castello sul Mare (open to visitors), the Basilica dei SS. Gervasio e Protasio in the old town, then the cable car to the Montallegro Sanctuary (8 min, panoramic views). All reachable on foot. Thursday morning market if your timing works.
What is the Montallegro cable car?
The Rapallo–Montallegro cable car climbs in 8 minutes to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montallegro at 615 metres. On clear days, 360° views over the Golfo del Tigullio — Portofino, Santa Margherita, Sestri Levante — and as far as the Alps. The Sanctuary was founded in 1557.
When are the July Festivals?
1–2 July is the patronal feast of the Madonna di Montallegro with a procession and fireworks over the sea. 3 July is the grand pyrotechnic finale — one of the finest displays in Liguria, visible from the entire seafront.
Is Rapallo a good base for the Riviera?
Excellent: 5 min to Santa Margherita, 20 to Camogli, 40 to Genoa or Sestri Levante, 50 to the Cinque Terre. The entire Riviera di Levante is within day-trip range from its rail hub.
What to do in Rapallo in the evening?
Stroll along the seafront, aperitivo at bars on Via Mazzini or at the harbour. Fish restaurants and Ligurian trattorias in the old town. In summer, beach clubs and seafront bars stay open late into the night.
Explore Rapallo with LigurIA.
LigurIA builds a personalised itinerary for Rapallo and the Riviera — castle, cable car, market or day trips — integrated into your stay. Free, no sign-up required.