10 Things to Do in Rapallo, Italy

Rapallo is that under-the-radar Riviera spot that quietly charms your socks off. It’s got pastel waterfronts, golden-hour aperitivi, and just the right amount of old-school glamour. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Rapallo, you’re in for sea views, slow vibes, and a cheeky bit of pirate history.

Historic square with a rusted cannon on a wooden platform, in front of a circular pavilion with arches. Surrounding are colorful buildings with green shutters and outdoor seating.

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Set between chic Portofino and the pastel towns of Cinque Terre, this Ligurian gem is all gelato, focaccia, and la dolce far niente.

I’m Hazel, a British travel blogger who’s forever on the hunt for pretty towns with a strong seafood game and a good excuse to ride a cable car. I loved my time in Rapallo – and I think you will too. Here are my favourite things to do in Rapallo.

A woman in a pink dress and sunhat relaxing on a bench in a sunny square in Rapallo, Italy, surrounded by pastel buildings with green shutters and potted palms..

A sunlit street in Rapallo, Italy, lined with red and yellow-painted buildings, cafés with outdoor seating, and boutique shops beneath leafy trees.

1. Stroll the Lungomare Promenade 🌅

This is Rapallo’s catwalk – all palm trees, gelato stops, and locals doing their evening passeggiata in style.

Palm tree-lined promenade in Rapallo, Italy, with colourful pastel buildings, café terraces, and parked scooters basking in the late afternoon sun.

Start at the castle and just keep walking. You’ll pass café terraces, vintage hotels, and probably at least one guy walking a tiny dog in sunglasses. Grab a scoop (or three) and soak up the coastal glam.

2. Visit the Castle-on-the-Sea 🏰

Yep, Rapallo has its very own seaside fortress – and it’s cute as. Built in the 1500s to ward off pirates, it now just looks fabulous in your holiday snaps.

Historic seaside castle in Rapallo, Italy, known as Castello sul Mare, standing on the rocky shoreline with a flag flying above and pastel coastal buildings in the background.

You can’t always go inside (except during special exhibitions), but walking around it at sunset is a vibe.

Come in July and you’ll catch the town’s biggest festa – fireworks, crowds, and the whole castle “on fire”.

You might also be interested in the castle at nearby Santa Margherita, which looks like a dupe (It was built by the same architect, for the same purpose).

3. Ride the Cable Car to Montallegro 🚡

One of my top picks! The cable car glides you up to a mountaintop sanctuary with sweeping views over the Ligurian coast.

Aerial cable car ascending from Rapallo through lush green hills, overlooking the Ligurian coastline and the sparkling blue waters of the Italian Riviera below.

The ride is only 7 minutes, but feels like a tiny escape into another world.

At the top, you’ll find the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montallegro. It’s peaceful, ornate, and steeped in legend.

There are forest paths if you fancy a stroll, and a café with knockout views if you don’t.

4. Hunt for Hannibal’s Bridge 🌿

Hidden in plain sight, the mossy arch of Ponte di Annibale is a whisper of ancient history amid Rapallo’s modern bustle.

Leaf-covered stone bridge arching over a street in Rapallo, Italy, with pastel buildings, balconies, and café tables lining the road beneath a cloudy sky.

You can’t cross it (it’s closed off), but you can spot it from Corso Cristoforo Colombo – especially fun when you’re wandering slightly off-piste between sights and snack stops.

5. Taste Liguria on a Plate 🍝

If pesto is your love language, you’re in the right place.

Close-up of a plate of trofie al pesto, a traditional Ligurian pasta coated in basil pesto and served with potatoes and green beans on a white plate.

Trofie pasta, pansotti with walnut sauce, farinata (chickpea pancake magic), and more fresh fish than you can shake a fork at.

Try Armida 1905 for a vintage seafood vibe (the lemon risotto is good), or Elisir on the waterfront for pasta under fairy lights. And hit the Thursday market for picnic snacks – cheese, olives, and local olive oil galore.

Outdoor pizzeria terrace in Rapallo, Italy, with neatly arranged tables under a cream awning and a backdrop of elegant pastel buildings with shuttered windows and balconies.

Seaside restaurant terrace in Rapallo, Italy, with blue-and-white table settings, pink hydrangeas in tall planters, and a view of palm trees lining the promenade under a sunny awning.

6. Wander the Centro Storico 🏘️

This isn’t a big town, but the old centre is packed with charm. Cobbled lanes, painted arcades, tucked-away chapels – it’s a maze worth getting lost in.

Chiesa di Santo Stefano in Rapallo, Italy — close-up of the church’s striking octagonal dome with red and white detailing, arched windows, and statues, framed by palm trees under a bright blue sky..

Ornate yellow and red building in Rapallo, Italy, featuring decorative stucco details, arched windows, and classical columns under a clear blue sky with palm fronds in the foreground.

Don’t miss Villa Tigullio, where you’ll find the quirky Lace Museum (Rapallo has a thing for lace). It’s small, sweet, and surprisingly fascinating.

7. Take a Ferry to Portofino or San Fruttuoso 🛥️

The boats from Rapallo make day-tripping a breeze.

Luxury dark-hulled yacht anchored off the coast of Portofino, Italy, with forested green hills and villas visible in the background under a clear sky.

Elegant white luxury yacht flying the Italian flag, anchored on calm blue waters off the Ligurian coast off Rapallo, with distant mountains and other yachts visible on the horizon.

Portofino is a showstopper, of course – all designer boutiques and jaw-dropping scenery – but San Fruttuoso is the real hidden gem.

This tiny cove has an abbey, a beach, and the famous underwater statue of Christ of the Abyss. Ferries leave regularly from the marina – just grab a ticket and hop on.

👉 Read more: 10 Excellent Things to do in Portofino.

8. Visit Montallegro’s Sanctuary (Again) ⛪

If you rode up for the view, linger a bit for the sanctuary itself.

Neogothic Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montallegro at the top of a hill over the village of Rapallo in the italian Riviera — Neogothic Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montallegro

Built after a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1557, it’s full of votive offerings and baroque details.

It also has that deliciously still atmosphere that mountain sanctuaries tend to have. Bring water, take a walk, and enjoy the calm.

9. Catch a Concert at the Music Kiosk 🎶

The Chiosco della Musica is a neoclassical bandstand that looks like something from a Wes Anderson set. Painted ceilings, sea breeze, and often live music in the evenings.

Round structure supported by 12 columns with a decorative ceiling in art nouveau style.

Chiosco della Musica in Rapallo, Italy — an elegant circular bandstand with arched columns and a domed ceiling adorned with vibrant frescoes, located near the seafront and surrounded by palm trees and historic buildings.

In July, it’s festival central. Think classical, pop, local bands, and the odd theatrical moment.

Bring a spritz, find a bench, and let the soundtrack of Rapallo do its thing.

Helpful Tips for Visiting Rapallo 📝

🕰️ Timing is everything – Visit in spring or early autumn for warm days and fewer tourists.

👜 Pack layers – Evenings can be breezy, especially on boats or up at the sanctuary.

🎟️ Check museum hours – The castle is often only open on weekends.

🚶 Walk between towns – If you’re up for it, walk the coast to Santa Margherita or take the ferry one way.

📸 Bring a camera – Rapallo is full of photo-worthy corners, colours, and viewpoints.

Map of Things to Do in Rapallo 🗺️

Click the icon on the top left to see the list. Tap any blue pin for more details. Hit the ⭐ to save it to your own Google Maps.

FAQs about Rapallo 💡

A few quick answers to help you plan your stay.

Is Rapallo worth visiting?

Yes, it’s a lovely, less-crowded slice of the Ligurian coast with great access to Portofino and Cinque Terre.

Can I get to Portofino from Rapallo?

Totally. Regular ferries run between Rapallo, Santa Margherita, and Portofino – super easy and scenic.

What’s the best time to visit Rapallo?

Late spring or early autumn. Warm weather, fewer crowds, and ideal swimming conditions.

Do I need a car in Rapallo?

No, you can get around by train, boat, or on foot. Parking’s a nightmare anyway.

Final Thoughts on Rapallo ✨

There’s something easygoing and elegant about Rapallo. It doesn’t try too hard, and that’s part of its charm.

Whether you’re nibbling pesto on the promenade, riding the cable car to a hilltop sanctuary, or day-tripping along the coast, there’s no shortage of things to do in Rapallo.

It’s a fantastic base, a calm retreat, and a place to fall in love with the Ligurian lifestyle. Bring comfy shoes, a hungry stomach, and let this colourful little town work its magic.

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Tags: italian riviera, Italy, Liguria, Rapallo

9 Wonderful Things to do in Rapallo, Italy