Rapallo Attractions

From Rapallo a coastal road leads south to the pretty holiday resort of Santa Margherita Ligura (3km/2mi).

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.

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.

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).

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.