8 Best Family Things to Do in Rapallo

Opened in 1934, the Rapallo Cable Car is the only facility of its kind in the region of Liguria. During the 600-metre ascent, you can admire the intense blue waters of the Gulf of Genoa, the mountainous landscape of Rapallo, and the colourful houses that climb the hillside. When you reach your destination, you’ll be a stone’s throw away from the iconic Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro.

After visiting the sanctuary, you can walk along several paths that run along the ridge between the oaks to enjoy some peace, fresh air and unobstructed aerial views. The cable car ride takes approximately 7 minutes.

Villa Arcadia is a green space that offers plenty of pastimes to make your family day unforgettable. Located in the east of the city, a pleasant walk along the seafront away, the park offers endless outdoor activities for the whole family. 3 historic buildings are nestled between the benches and leafy avenues: Villa Porticciolo, Villa Riva and Villa Tigullio, home to Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) and Biblioteca Internazionale (International Library).

There's also mini-golf. But the thing that makes it exciting for little ones are the play areas where they can let loose, and the surprising encounter with an early-20th century steam locomotive between the trees. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a unique view of the Promontorio di Portofino (Portofino Promontory).

San Michelle di Pagana is a seaside village with a beach and local shops and cafes. You can get there after walking about 2 km through unforgettable views of Parco di Portofino. It boasts Ligurian characteristics mingled in with sea and sky on one side and distinctive houses perched on the bay of Pomaro on the other.

The centre of San Michele overlooks the Spiaggia dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Beach), a popular hub for visitors thanks to the local shops and cafes, perfect for snacking on Ligurian focaccia by the sea. It's a picture-perfect spot so don't forget your camera!

Le Nagge district, known as Ê Nagge by locals, is a historic neighbourhood with resorts, shops and a park with a famous frog fountain. To live like a local, why not grab an ice cream and enjoy it as you walk? Stroll through the public garden dedicated to the poet Ezra Pound, one of the famous names connected to Rapallo.

Inside is a quirky fountain with 4 frog statues, bound to arouse children's curiosity. If you can, stay until after sunset. In the evening the fountain lights up with changing colours and becomes a hangout for locals.

The Museo del Phon (Hairdryer Museum) is unique and tells the untold story of an everyday item that we often take for granted. Perfect for a rainy day or an unusual outing, this independent museum is in a hairdresser's shop window at the Vittorio Mariano Hair Designer outlet close to the city centre.

Inside is an exhibition of hair dryers and curling tongs from the owner's own collection. Discover the full history of hairdryers, hair-styling and hair-care accessories, and admire an interesting and original collection of models. In window after window, it ranges from wooden handles to the dawn of the most modern, state-of-the-art equipment.

Rapallo's Carnevale dei Bambini (Kids' Carnival) offers confetti, floats and countless masks colouring Rapallo's streets during the most exciting celebration of the year. The carnival is a light-hearted parade starting from the middle of Via Mameli all the way to Chiosco della Musica (Music Pavilion) in Piazza Martiri della Libertà. The procession between these 2 points consists of a crowd of masks, floats, music and entertainment which you can watch along Lungomare Vittorio Veneto, all the way to the hilarious Fiona la Pentola Brontolona (Fiona the Grumpy Pot).

Got a great costume idea? Be sure to wear it. Every year the most original and enjoyable mask is picked from the children and adults at the event. To celebrate, there are frittelle (doughnuts) for all!

The U Giancu restaurant is a family-oriented restaurant that serves Ligurian cuisine. There's nothing better than rounding off your day in Rapallo with a traditional, local dinner in a fun and relaxed setting. Set in Rapallo's green hills, a few minutes from the motorway toll, is U Giancu restaurant. Its Ligurian and Piedmont dishes and family-friendly atmosphere make it a real crowd pleaser.

The walls are decorated with panels, pages and pencil illustrations by the most famous cartoonists, so it's a winner for comic strip-enthusiasts. It's also great for kids, and the tables under the arbour make it ideal for an outdoor dinner in the summertime. Don't miss the mushroom-based dishes which connoisseurs can enjoy with a beer or glass of wine.

Confuoco is a medieval Ligurian tradition that wishes luck for the new year. A quirky activity that's fun for all the family, the ceremony of lighting the bonfire during the confuoco is a fun way to take in the local culture. In Rapallo, it takes place in the heart of the historic centre.

In the square outside the Auditorium delle Clarisse, a procession of people in historic costume gather to light the fire. As a good omen, locals and visitors bring laurel branches to burn in the fire. Legend has it that the fire's direction allows you to guess how the next year will go. It’s a magical, must-see display for young and old.