The underrated Italian seaside town that's as pretty as Venice or Lake Como

With its deep blue sea, green mountain backdrop and elegant hotels and villas, this forgotten little seaside town on the Italian Riviera can certainly give big tourist hitters like Venice and Lake Como a run for their money.

But instead of being flooded with foreign tourists in the summer, the small historic town of Rapello is more popular with Italians than foreign visitors, possibly because it is much cheaper than some of its more ritzy neighbours along the Ligurian coast, like the celebrity bolthole and cruise ship must-see Portofino.

Not that Rapello can't compete on the glamour stakes with Clooney's Como or Rooney's Portofino (Wayne and Coleen got married there). Rapello's marina at one end of the palm tree-lined promenade is home to fancy new yachts, while at the other, a tiny 16th-century castle juts out of the sea.

Located in the region of Liguria on the Italian Riviera in northwestern Italy, it's south of Genova (known as Genoa in English) and north of the famous Cinque Terre, five picturesque coastal villages that also attract vast summer holiday crowds.

Rapallo has a relaxed seaside holiday vibe with elderly Italians and families strolling along the promenade or sitting on a bench with a gelato and enjoying the view. Writers W.B. Yeats and Ezra Pound found the town so inspiring when they lived here in the 1920s.

The coast is lined with lidos, private beaches where you pay to rent a sunbed and umbrella, but there is a public beach-a small pebbly cove down some stairs. The water is lovely and clear once you leave the Rapallo bay behind.

One of the distinctive features of the Italian Riviera is the trompe-l'oeil or painted decorative details on buildings that trick the eye into thinking they're real. Arches, portals, balustrades, and brickwork are all fake. Some buildings even have artificial windows painted on the upper storeys. Apparently, this was to avoid a building tax in the 18th century that was based on the number of windows.

The historic centre is the best place to stay in Rapallo, and the town is a foodie paradise. A vegetable market with pristine piles of tomatoes, melons, and porcini mushrooms, shops selling fresh pasta and homemade pesto, a local delicacy and perfect for a quick and tasty meal if you are self-catering. Focaccia is another local speciality and every day the bakeries tempt you in. Then, of course, there's the gelato. It is Italy after all.

Rapallo is also the perfect base for exploring the Cinque Terre where you can hike between the towns and Portofino of course. One of the best things to do in Rapallo itseld is to take cable car to Santuario Basilico di Montallegro for the views. The beach at Sestri Levante is gorgeous andone of the rare sandy beaches and there is plenty of hiking along the coast.

As a glamorous resort town, Rapallo boasts its' fair share of five-star hotels, including Excellence Palace Hotel, the Imperial Palace Hotel and the Grand Hotel Miramare, all of which enjoy spectacular views over the bay.

However unlike Portofino, Venice and Como there are a lot more affordable accommodation options too including budget-friendly hotels, holiday rentals, and seasonal promotions. You can find deals on hotels like Hotel Stella, Hotel Cavour, and Hotel Vesuvio, offering cosy rooms with essential amenities. Many budget hotels are also centrally located, providing easy access to Rapallo's main attractions.

Genoa Airport (GOA) is the nearest international airport and about an hour away by train. Direct flights to Genoa from the UK are from £81 and take just over two hours. British Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines fly direct to Genoa from London-Gatwick, and Ryanair flies from London-Stansted.