italian castle by the sea Castello di Rapallo in the italian riviera Portofino area - Genova - Liguria - Italy .

Rapallo Holidays

Holidays to Rapallo take you to the beautiful Italian Riviera, also known as Liguria, and offer couples an eclectic mix of inviting beaches and proud historic buildings and museums set on cosy cobbled streets. There are artisan shops and an excellent range of cafés, bars and romantic restaurants, ideal for those wanting to immerse themselves in local cuisine.

Take to the palm lined seafront promenade, the Lungomare Vittorio Veneto, and follow in the footsteps of the brilliant but troubled American poet Ezra Pound. Feel the spirit of his friend Ernest Hemmingway and the many other distinguished figures who visited or called Rapallo home.

Stop and take a moment to admire the pretty Art Nouveau buildings with their distinctive splashes of colour – terracotta, mustard and pink – then linger for a while on one of the many benches and watch the world go past.

At the eastern end of the promenade is the Castello sul Mare – the Castle on the Sea – built in 1550 to defend against pirate attack. This powerful symbol of the city of Rapallo, is used for cultural and artistic events and exhibitions.

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Handpicked Hotels in Rapallo

Discover the real Rapallo while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Recommended

Liguria, Rapallo

Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast - Rapallo

Splendid coastal location just five minutes from Rapallo
Beautifully decorated with old-style elegance blended with modern-day comforts

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Recommended

Liguria, Rapallo

Grand Hotel Bristol Resort and Spa

Located 1.5 km from Rapallo, just 150m from the Mediterranean Sea
An elegant property with fantastic facilities including an excellent restaurant

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Things to do in Rapallo

The beauty of a holiday in Rapallo is that it can be almost anything you want it to be because there are so many things to do. It could be relaxing on the beach, lacing up your walking shoes and taking to the hill paths above the town or the nooks and crannies of the Centro Storico. In contrast, when the sun goes down, enjoy the after-dinner entertainment on offer at the town’s hotels and bars or during the summer months go along to some of the concerts and festivals.

Build your holiday beyond Rapallo and take the 20 minute train journey to Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and the regional capital of Liguria. Once one of the most powerful maritime republics, today’s city has much to offer. Start your visit at its grandest street, the Via Garibaldi, which is home of 42 palaces listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In complete contrast explore the tightly packed historic centre and its maze of narrow streets - many of which lie within the original 9th Century city walls.

Things to doCinque TerreCinque Terre (Five Lands) is the collective name for five of Italy’s most picturesque coastal villages.Find out more about Cinque Terre

Things to doLiguria's BeachesLiguria has more Blue Flag beaches than any other region in Italy, so prepare to be dazzled by the many spectacular sandy spots dotting this famously pretty coastline.Find out more about Liguria beaches

Things to doPortofinoPortofino is often compared to the villages of the Cinque Terre, but this seaside stunner was earmarked for fame decades before the Cinque Terre gained renown.Find out more about Portofino

Flight Information

Most flights to Liguria arrive into Pisa airport (PSA) although visitors to the west of the Riviera can also fly into Nice (please call our Italy Experts to book flights to Nice). Direct flights to Pisa are available from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Stansted and take approximately 2 hours and 10min.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Rapallo Specialities Unsurprisingly seafood is a speciality in Rapallo and the wider Liguria region but the star of the show is its authentic Italian pizza.

Liguria has its own version of the traditional pizza, called the Sardenaira or Pizza all’Andrea, perhaps more of a focaccia than a pizza. The beauty of the dish is its simplicity of preparation and cooking.

Rapallo Specialities It’s made with bread, spread with olive oil, garlic and salty anchovies and, as its name suggests, garnished with sardines. Some like to add tomatoes but that often attracts some criticism from traditionalists. It’s a great street food snack and you’ll also find it served in cafés and restaurants.

Rapallo Specialities Pansoti and Trofie are different kinds of pasta which have a Ligurian history. Many of the local restaurants will feature them on their menu. The beauty of pasta is its versatility but it’s not uncommon to find Trofie served with seafood. Almost anything would be fine, but mussels, octopus and clams are particularly popular.

Rapallo Specialities Pansoti pasta has traditionally been stuffed with creamy ricotta and garnished with herbs. It’s usually served with a walnut sauce made from walnuts, olive oil, bread crumbs marjoram and garlic and is ideal for an indulgent evening.