Rapallo is just along the Ligurian Riviera from Portofino, a much less famed spot, but still an extremely pretty one, much more popular with Italian families than foreign visitors, thus more affordable, and with smaller, less showy, yachts. But the best places to stay in Rapallo share with Portofino a similar green backdrop of mountains and Mediterranean forests, and similarly elegant villas and hotels in terracotta, mustard and salmon pink, and similarly yacht-dotted views of the bright blue sea.
Like Portofino, Rapallo is an Italian seaside town perfect for relaxing in the sun, eating gelato, and drinking sundowners while people watching. The water is lined with lidos, and private beaches, but there are some free public beaches just outside town.
Behind the waterfront Rapallo has a pretty town, which is busy in the summer months, but our Gurus find themselves most frequently recommending the best places to stay in Rapallo to travellers looking for a base to explore the Ligurian Riviera from. Rapallo is within walking distance of Santa Margherita and Portofino, and a very pretty train trip from the Cinque Terre. It’s also a pleasant distance from Genoa. Rapallo is a great place to come back to at the end of a day exploring, with its friendly restaurants and bars and reasonable feeling prices.