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.

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.