Rapallo is a famous resort on the Italian Riviera. It is situated on the slopes sloping towards the sea. At their foot, you can find sandy beaches that are full of tourists from all over the world in summer.
The origins of the city date back to pre-Roman times, when there was an Etruscan settlement here. In later centuries there was a port here that survived the fall of the Empire and also served the subsequent owners of these lands. In the 13th century, the city came under the control of Genoa, which started its heyday.
In the 16th century, the Genoese decided to fortify Rapallo to protect them from repeated attacks by pirates. The castle of Rapallo, built on an artificial island, has survived from the defense system of that time. It is the most characteristic building of the city, and today it serves primarily cultural purposes.
The Rapallo center is small, built-up with tenement houses from different eras. Newer hotels, villas and boarding houses as well as apartment buildings with apartments for rent are located closer to the sea. Along the shore there is a promenade from which you can go down to sandy, but not very large beaches. They are now the main attraction of Rapallo.
On the Montallegro hill above Rapallo there is the Sanctuary of Our Lady, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year. One of the methods of getting to it is using the Rapallo-Montallegro cable car, which takes you to the church in a few minutes.
