Rapallo is known as being a wonderful, relaxing place to stay if hoping to explore the Italian Riviera. Its location and easily accessible transportation make it a great base to explore the various sea towns that make up the famed Italian Riviera. From boats to railways to footpaths, there are numerous ways to explore and reach nearby towns when staying in Rapallo.

However, despite being a convenient location for day tripping to other seaside towns, Rapallo is a place filled with great activities to enjoy and sites to see. More modest than the Italian Riviera’s other, more glamorous locales, Rapallo maintains an old-Italy feel and boasts castles, great restaurants, breathtaking seaside views, and a historic city center.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

The city of Rapallo holds a variety of religious celebrations, honoring important spiritual icons with events filled with processionals, musical performances, and dances. Some events even include fireworks or markets filled with local foods and handmade items. One of these important events is held the first Sunday of May and celebrates Saint Elena.

Another one of the most exciting events in Rapallo is held every July. From July 1 to July 3, the Rapallo Feast – a celebration that honors the Madonna di Montallegro, the patron saint of Rapallo – is held. During the event, an icon of the Madonna is carried throughout the city streets and a fireworks show is put on.

Another religious event in Rapallo is its Easter Parade. Held annually, the city center holds a celebration in which locals dress in traditional clothes and ride atop a train. Flowered gifts, music and dance performances are also a part of the event.

During the summer, Rapallo’s city center comes alive with music. A variety of concerts are held in Rapallo throughout the summer, particularly during the months of July and August, that span genres of all kinds including classical music, jazz, opera, and more.

Another key event is the Valle Christi Festival, which is considered to be one of the most important festivals in the Liguria region.

Held each year in July and August, the event consists of concerts as well as theater and dance performances that take place in the Valle Christi Monastery.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The sea views are one of Rapallo’s most alluring characteristics, and there is no better way to take them in than from a cable car suspended high in the air. At its peak, the Rapallo cable car reaches nearly 1,970 feet. From inside the car, travelers can view the blue waters of the Gulf of Tigullio while they ascend.

At the end of the cable car’s journey, one will find the Santuario di Montallegro (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro), a sixteenth century sanctuary famous for being the location of a sighting of the Virgin Mary. With a stunning interior and well-preserved art, the church is a beautiful site to see.

To enjoy nature while taking in views of the gulf and the town, travelers can visit the Casale Park that surrounds Villa Tigullio, a seventeenth century villa. The villa hosts the Museum of Lace and the International Library, while the surrounding park area features a variety of species of trees, plants, and birds.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Among eating at some of Rapallo’s local restaurants and enjoying a cocktail or coffee at bars along the promenade, travelers can enjoy time indoors by seeing some of the city’s beautiful churches.

The Church of Santo Stefano is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is considered the first church of Rapallo. The Church of San Francesco, built in the sixteenth century, is home to a famous sculpture by famed artist Anton Maria Maragliano. The Basilica of Santi Gervasio and Protasio features a bell tower as well as a variety of famous paintings.

Travelers can also visit one of the area’s most unique museums – the Museo Del Merletto (Lace Museum). The museum is home to a large collection of the region’s famous handcrafted laces with more than 1,400 objects on display. The oldest laces in the collection are from as early as the sixteenth century. This is the only museum of its kind in the Liguria region.

SHOPPING

Fans of food and wine can find one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs at one of the Italian Riviera’s many food shops. Specializing in unique gourmet food and drink products, these stores feature Italy’s top food items, including gourmet cheeses and hundreds of varieties of fine wine. Many of the products are from the Italian Riviera and are rare and hard to find. Shoppers will find that the quality of the items is unparalleled.

Travelers can also browse and shop at the city’s monthly antique market. Held in the historic center of Rapallo, Il Tarlo is an antique market that occurs on the fourth Sunday of every month.

FAMILIES AND KIDS

To truly experience the history of the city, families can take a walk in the historic district of Rapallo. Piazza Cavour, where the streets of Via Venezia, Via Mazzini, and Via Marsala start, is the location of Rapallo’s medieval village. Remnants of the city’s medieval gates can be seen, and travelers can admire the historic architecture. After taking in these historic sights, children may enjoy spending a few hours at the beach.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Travelers simply must enjoy time along Lungomare Vittorio Veneto, Rapallo’s seaside promenade. Along with beautiful views of the water, travelers can stop at any one of the promenade’s many bars, restaurants, and snack bars. While the promenade is not a nightlife destination, there are plenty of classic bars at which to enjoy an aperitvo after sightseeing. Whether on foot or on a rented scooter, there is no better way to enjoy the sun and culture of Rapallo.

In the middle of the waterfront is a unique building constructed in the Art Nouveau style. Known as the Music Kiosk, the structure was built in 1929. The kiosk has hosted many musical performances throughout the years, and is characterized by a fresco on the interior dome that depicts many of history’s greatest musicians, including Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, and more.

At the end of the promenade is the Rapallo castle. Built in the sixteenth century, it is the central figure of the Rapallo skyline and represents so much of the city’s rich history. Seemingly floating in the sea, the castle is located on a small pier off the shore. Once a defensive point of the city and then a prison, the castle is now used for exhibitions and local events. It also serves as an important location during some of the city’s spiritual festivals.