Circolo Golf e Tennis Rapallo
Rapallo is one of those clubs that tells the story of Italian golf with complete ease
Rapallo is one of those clubs that tells the story of Italian golf with complete ease. Founded in the 1920s just steps from the sea, it still holds that rare combination of sporting tradition, Riviera atmosphere and quietly aristocratic familiarity that modern developments struggle to imitate. The course does not overwhelm with length; it wins through intelligence. Fairways must be read carefully, trees dictate angles, rhythm changes from hole to hole and the greens reward control far more than brute force. It is a course for thoughtful players, capable of testing even low handicappers without ever feeling unfair. Off the course, Rapallo offers the privilege of a full Ligurian day: breakfast in the clubhouse, a morning round, a promenade along the waterfront and dinner in town. Its luxury is subtle rather than performative, the kind that belongs to places which have aged without losing their composure. For lovers of historic European clubs, Rapallo is an essential stop.
Porta ferri precisi e lascia l’ego nel locker: a Rapallo si segna bene solo quando si accetta che il campo vada costruito colpo dopo colpo, non conquistato a forza.
Historic club with great personality and unique Riviera location
Short but strategic course, ideal for technical players
Less suitable for those seeking a resort with extensive services
Compact size may seem less spectacular to long hitters
Rapallo is one of those clubs that tells the story of Italian golf with complete ease. Founded in the 1920s just steps from the sea, it still holds that rare combination of sporting tradition, Riviera atmosphere and quietly aristocratic familiarity that modern developments struggle to imitate. The course does not overwhelm with length; it wins through intelligence. Fairways must be read carefully, trees dictate angles, rhythm changes from hole to hole and the greens reward control far more than brute force. It is a course for thoughtful players, capable of testing even low handicappers without ever feeling unfair. Off the course, Rapallo offers the privilege of a full Ligurian day: breakfast in the clubhouse, a morning round, a promenade along the waterfront and dinner in town. Its luxury is subtle rather than performative, the kind that belongs to places which have aged without losing their composure. For lovers of historic European clubs, Rapallo is an essential stop.
On the technical side, the course is a parkland layout of 18 holes playing to a par of 70 with a slope rating of 127. Visitor ratings underline the point: outstanding course standard, striking natural setting.
The best time to visit Circolo Golf e Tennis Rapallo is April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Among its most appreciated strengths: Historic club with great personality and unique Riviera location; Short but strategic course, ideal for technical players.
The facilities include putting green, driving range, restaurant, pro shop, cart rental, caddy on request.
The nearest airport is Genova Colombo (GOA), approximately 30 minutes by car.
What is the best time to play?+
The best time to play is April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside this window the club may be closed or operating with reduced services.
Is a handicap certificate required?+
Circolo Golf e Tennis Rapallo does not specify a mandatory minimum handicap for visiting players. We recommend contacting the club to confirm their current policy.
How do I get to the club?+
The nearest airport is Genova Colombo (GOA), approximately 30 minutes by car. Car rental is recommended for maximum flexibility.
Is there on-site accommodation?+
Circolo Golf e Tennis Rapallo does not have on-site accommodation. There are various lodging options in the surrounding area; contact the club for partner recommendations.
How many holes does the course have, and how challenging is it?+
The course has 18 holes playing to a par of 70 with a slope rating of 127. Difficulty is medium-high, suitable for intermediate to advanced players.
Exclusive Experiences
Secrets found in no guidebook, curated by our concierge.
Portofino: la Baia dell'Alba Proibita
The Portofino Promontory is a Marine Reserve and Regional Nature Park: San Fruttuoso bay is accessible only by sea. Traditional fisherman Sandro Sivori takes private guests by boat before dawn: you arrive at the deserted bay with the 11th-century Benedictine abbey mirroring in the green water and the Christ of the Abyss underwater at 17 metres.
“Sandro brings the underwater mask and leads guests to see the submerged Christ of the Abyss: the 1954 bronze statue is surrounded by red gorgonians and groupers that no tourist has time to reach from public boats.”
Buranco: Sciacchetrà Verticale
Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà is made from terraced vineyards on the sea's vertical face: the grape clusters are dried on racks for 3 months. Cantina Buranco at Monterosso produces the denomination's longest-lived Sciacchetrà — 20 years in bottle develop fig, chestnut honey, and salty iodine notes resembling a sea-bound Sauternes. The private vertical begins from the 1990s.
“Producer Guido Calvini visits the vineyards on the Azzurro trail at 6:00 AM before tourists: he explains how the system of medieval stairs and monorails is the only way to reach vineyards that no mechanical means can approach.”
Excelsior Palace: la Thalasso del Tigullio
The Excelsior Palace at Rapallo is one of the last Grand Hotels of the Ligurian riviera still managed by the original family: built in 1901 by father Marcello Minetto, it sits on the promontory over the Gulf of Tigullio. The marine thalassotherapy spa uses Adriatic water and Portofino reef algae: the Tigullio circuit combines immersion in 36°C seawater with wild Ligurian oregano oil massage.
“Heir Marcello Minetto son organises private breakfasts on the panoramic terrace where Ezra Pound wrote Canto LXXIV in 1945: the view over Rapallo, the sea castle, and the Cinque Terre on the horizon was the same that inspired the Cantos.”
Manuelina — La Focaccia al Formaggio delle Origini
Since 1885, Manuelina in Recco is where focaccia col formaggio is not a dish but an act of faith. The Carbone family still guards the original recipe: paper-thin dough, fresh prescinseua curd, a blazing wood-fired oven. No better version exists in the world — not because the guides say so, but because it simply cannot.
“Arrive just after lunch opens: the first batch, straight from the oven, is eaten standing at the counter and is worth the trip on its own.”
Abbazia della Cervara — Il Chiostro sul Mare
Founded in 1361 by Benedictine monks on a rocky promontory between Santa Margherita and Portofino, the Cervara preserves cloisters, frescoes, and Italian gardens suspended between woodland and the Tigullio Gulf. Pope Gregory XI stopped here in 1376; Barbarossa, according to legend, was imprisoned within its walls. Today it belongs to a private family who open it with discretion, preserving its aristocratic seclusion.
“Guided visits are rare and by appointment — look for them on spring weekends, when the terraced gardens bloom and the silence feels almost unreal.”
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