Free walking tours in Rapallo and what to see

Must-sees

Rapallo is a coastal town on the Gulf of Tigullio, a few kilometres from Portofino. Its signature image is the castle on the sea, built in the 16th century after an attack by the corsair Dragut and now used for exhibitions. Beside it opens the seafront promenade, with palm trees and an Art Nouveau bandstand. Behind lies the old town, with medieval arcades, narrow alleys and the basilica of Saints Gervasius and Protasius.

It is worth going up to the sanctuary of Montallegro, at about 600 metres, with views over the whole gulf. You get there by cable car, by car or along an old mule track. In Parco Casale, Villa Tigullio houses the Lace Museum, devoted to a craft with a long tradition in the area. Rapallo also gave its name to the international treaties of 1920 and 1922, which were signed here.

Free tours and guided visits

Rapallo has no regular free walking tours. Civitatis offers boat trips: one to Portofino and the abbey of San Fruttuoso, and another at sunset with an aperitivo on board. Scheduled boats also leave the pier for Santa Margherita, Portofino and San Fruttuoso, so you can organise the trip yourself too.

How long to spend

The centre and the seafront can be seen in half a day. Add another half day to go up to Montallegro, where trails with views set off across the nearby hills. Rapallo works well as a base for two or three days: Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Santa Margherita and Camogli are all close by boat, train or bus.

Where to stay

Rapallo has plenty of accommodation and good connections, with trains to Genoa and the Cinque Terre. The most convenient area is the centre and the seafront, near the station and the pier. If you are after peace, the hills around the town have villas and country houses with views, although you will need a car.