Rapallo, Italy is very close to Portofino, but much more affordable and less crowded! I would recommend staying in Rapallo and just taking a ferry to visit Portofino.
Free 15 Day Italy Itinerary at the bottom of this post!
Things to Do
1. Walk around Town and Explore the Shops
So many pretty views walking around Rapallo!
There are also lots of cute shops in the heart of town. Be sure to stop of the butcher and focacceria if you are feeling hungry!
I would also recommend trying to learn some common phrases in Italian to make things easier. We struggled to order from the butcher, but we tried to speak some Italian which helped!
2. Take a Ferry/Boat Ride to Portofino
Rapallo is very close to Portofino. I would recommend taking a ferry/boat ride over to visit Portofino.
Things are a bit more expensive and crowded in Portofino! But you must at least visit for the stunning views from the water!
3. Relax!
This was one stop that we did not pack in a bunch of stuff to do. It was nice just to relax and enjoy some delicious Italian coffee.
Where to Eat
- Make your own picnic
- Visit the local butcher for meat and cheese (prosciutto & mozzarella di bufala)
- Visit the local focacceria for focaccia
- Ask your host – a locals recommendation is always the best!
- Visit all the coffee shops
Where to Stay
We stayed at a quaint Airbnb that overlooked all of Rapallo. Unfortunately, this has since closed. I would recommend staying somewhere right in town so that you don’t have to take a taxi.
If you are looking to spend more time in Italy, check out my 15 Day Itinerary below!
Free 15 Day Italy Itinerary:
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