Rapallo or Santa Margherita Ligure ?

I think I would pick based on which lodging (apartment?) you like best. Both are lovely. Great waterfronts. Rapallo also has a cable car to Montallegro, a nice place for a walk and lunch. Since they are adjacent and each has a train station, I cannot see a big advantage of one over the other.

Hands down SML. You can catch the hydro foil to Porto Fino and San Fruttoso- some really great hiking. We also took the train to Camogli for the day and had some incredible seafood for lunch. If you can afford it, splurge to stay somewhere with a sea view. I could spend days watching that view.

Wayne,
Many years ago, my mom & I stayed in Rapallo, and we visited Santa Margherita Ligure & Portofino by bus.
As Laurel has mentioned, they both offer lovely waterfronts.

We enjoyed a visit to the beautiful Villa Durazzo when in Santa Margherita.

Enjoy your trip!

"...some really great hiking."

https://www.portofinotrek.com/trek/gb/6-trail-map

We love staying in Santa Margherita Ligure, can’t comment on Rapallo as we only drove through it.

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback, I agree splurging to try and obtain waterfront or at least water view accommodation in either location would be the way to go.
Both sound great places I will perhaps "toss a coin".