Rapallo Tourist Attractions

7km/4.5 miles: Rapallo.

Situation

Rapallo, the largest resort on the Riviera di Levante lies tucked away in the Bay of Rapallo or Golfo Tigullio, some 33km/20mi southeast of Genoa.

Old Town

The houses in the town of Rapallo are built along the bay. A number of streets run parallel to this bay, others run uphill. The town's busiest square is the Piazza Cavour, in which are the old parish church with a facade of 1857, and a leaning tower of 1753. To the north lies the large Piazza delle Nazione, with the municipal museum and the town hall. The tower of the "Commune Rapallese" (1459) is the town's symbol. The municipal museum displays locally-produced pillow lace.

Castello

On the southeast side of the fishing harbor, beyond the mouth of the Torrente San Francesco, is a medieval Castello, now an exhibition center. To the west of it lies the magnificent Promenade des Lungomare Vittoro Veneto, lined with palm trees, hotels and cafes.

Municipal Park and Lace Museum

On the eastern edge of Rapallo is the Parco Communale Casale, with the Villa Tigullio which houses the Museo del Pizzo a Tombolo (pillow lace).

Surroundings

Madonna di Montallegro

North of Rapallo is the pilgrimage church of the Madonna di Montallegro, high up on the hillside (612m/202ft; also reached by cableway, 10minutes). From the top there are far-ranging views of the Gulf of Rapallo.