Rapallo it’s an important destination in the Gulf of Tigullio and the gateway to Santa Margherita Ligure , Portofino and the Park itself.
With its 30,000 inhabitants, Rapallo is considered almost a city and as such it has its drawbacks, like traffic congestions at certain times of day. Nonetheless it still enjoys all the privileges that characterize the neighboring towns.
The town is squeezed between the sea and the hills, a location which guarantees a mild climate year round. It has a beautiful promenade that goes from the port to the residential complex called "Castello dei Sogni" on the way there are some interesting sights such as the old castle on the sea, symbol of the city, and the Parco Casale with beautiful Villa Porticciolo and Villa Tigullio, housing the town library.
The city center area starts in front of the main Church with "caruggiu dritu" - the main pedestrian street - and the farmers’ market square, animated by street vendors in the mornings.
Other highlights include the fifteenth-century Torre Civica, and Porta delle Saline, the only one still standing of the five gates that once enclosed the old town. The others did not survive the demolition and the expansion of the city. In this area and all around town you’ll find a large selection of shops, bars and restaurants.
Rapallo also offers a lot of walks. We recommend the coastal path to the small village of San Michele di Pagana, a favorite swimmers’ destination. Equally impressive but more challenging is the uphill trail through the woods towards Montallegro Sanctuary, which offers a beautiful view of Rapallo, the Gulf of Tigullio, and in the clearest days Corsica.
Montallegro can also be reached from Rapallo by a regular cable car line.