Rapallo between Coast, Art and Walking Trails

Rapallo between Coast and Culture

Those wishing to combine historic sites, art and walks by the water will find a waterfront promenade, historic buildings and paths into the surrounding area in Rapallo. The Castello di Rapallo stands on a rocky base directly by the sea. In Rapallo, culture, the sea and outdoor activity come together along the waterfront promenade, at the Castello and on the paths into the surrounding area.

Historical Traces and Cultural Collections

One of the historical traces leads to the Ponte di Annibale. The old single-arch stone bridge is located near Rapallo's marina. The earliest surviving document mentioning the bridge dates from 7 April 1049.

The Monastero di Valle Christi was founded in 1204. Its ruins are located in the San Massimo district of Rapallo, less than three kilometres from the waterfront promenade. Every summer, the site hosts evening theatre and music performances.

For those interested in art and culture, the Museo Attilio e Cleofe Gaffoglio displays collections of goldsmithing, ivory, porcelain, sculptures and paintings from the 14th to the 20th century.

Sea, Music and Art

The Castello di Rapallo was built in 1546 to defend the town after its devastating sacking by the Turkish pirate Dragut. Today, it houses art exhibitions.

The Chiosco della Musica stands along the waterfront promenade. It was inaugurated in 1929 and intended for wind orchestra concerts. Villa Tigullio houses the Biblioteca Internazionale and the Museo del Merletto.

The parish church of San Michele di Pagana houses the painting “Crocifisso coi Santi Francesco e Bernardo” by the Flemish painter Antoon Van Dyck. Francesco Orero commissioned it around 1620.

Routes to Montallegro and Along the Bays

The Funivia Rapallo-Montallegro connects Rapallo with the Santuario di Montallegro. Its route is 2,350 metres long and overcomes an elevation gain of 600 metres. It thus complements the paths connecting Rapallo with the sanctuary at higher elevation. The 600 metres of elevation gain are overcome along the 2,350-metre route; the route to Montallegro therefore leads uphill from Rapallo to the sanctuary.

A path surrounded by greenery behind Rapallo leads to the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montallegro. The Santuario offers beautiful views of the coast.

Parco Casale is a green area suitable for a walk. San Michele di Pagana can be reached on foot after about 2 kilometres. There, a walking path connects the three bays of Pomaro, Trelo and Prelo. The distance of about two kilometres can be planned as a separate walking section in Rapallo.

A Festive Touch

During the Festival of the Madonna di Montallegro, the Castello sul Mare is symbolically set ablaze every year in an impressive display of lights and fireworks.

Other places: Pedemonte, Cogorno, La Costa, Casella, Prati, Moneglia, Bargagli, Casanova

To the main travel overview: Genoa.