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.

The Best Places to Stay in Rapallo

For Sea Views

• The Grand Hotel Bristol is large, elegant, and perfectly positioned overlooking the Portofino Promontory and the Ligurian Riviera. We like it for its huge French windows and private sea-view balconies, and its terrace restaurant and chic bar. Its 83 rooms and suites are decorated with clean lines and a seaside-y colour palette, and the atmosphere is stylishly comfortable and welcoming. The impressive spa has an indoor pool, as well as a hammam, sauna, icefall, and hydromassage pool. There’s an outdoor pool too. This a property which works equally well for couples or families.

For a private apartment or villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Rapallo’s closest international airport is Genoa’s Christopher Columbus Airport, which is about half an hour away by road, and just shy of an hour and half on the train. Milan’s Linate Airport is about two hours away from Rapallo by car or four and a half hours on the train, while Milan Malpensa Airport and Bergamo Airport are more like two and a half hours' drive, or about four hours on the train.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Rapallo is less of a showstopper than some of the other towns along the Italian Riviera, so it is more popular with Italians than foreign visitors, and better value. That does mean that some of the holiday boutiques, bars and restaurants close for the winter season, so most visitors come between Easter and the end of October. Plus, much of Rapallo’s appeal is its gloriously sunny coastline, friendly beaches and warm seas, and the evening passeggiata isn’t so charming come November.

Still not sure?

• You could expand your search to include all our Guru’s recommendations for the best places to stay in Liguria
• Or the best places to stay in Portofino
• Consider our recommendations for the Cinque Terre’s towns, La Spezia, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso or Levanto
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.