Alassio: Discover culture, coast and trails
Accommodation in Alassio
If you’re considering Alassio for your next hotel stay, you can tailor your choices to the topics that interest you: central areas, art and natural history, hillside trails or coastal views. The specific highlights give you an idea of the experiences you can focus on during your stay.
City life and cultural history
Budello is in the center of Alassio. At two kilometers long, it is the city’s busiest pedestrian street. You can explore it on foot; authorized vehicles are permitted on some sections. Access details may change locally, so it’s worth checking the information before your visit.
Today, you can count around 1,000 ceramic tiles on the Muretto. In 1953, Mario Berrino began creating it opposite Caffè Roma as an ever-evolving open-air art installation. The Coscia Tower tells a different chapter of the city’s history: it was built in the 16th century to protect Alassio from invaders arriving by sea.
The Don Bosco Natural History Museum was established in 1950 through the work of Don Giulio Mariti. Its exhibits include mineralogical, crystallographic, petrographic, malacological, mycological, paleontological, fossil, zoological, ichthyological, historical, thalassological, hydrospeleological, ethnographic, herbarium-related and floristic sections. Its subject matter thus ranges from minerals and fossils to animal and plant life.
The Richard West Memorial Gallery was established in 1907 as an exhibition venue for Richard West’s paintings. Its collection includes 76 works that West painted during his stay in Alassio between 1888 and 1905. The gallery also houses an English library with around 15,000 volumes. The dates distinguish the period when the paintings were created from the later establishment of the gallery.
Historic trails and coastal views
The Via Iulia Augusta complex includes the route of the ancient road and the funerary monuments along it. The trail runs for about five kilometers from the Chiesa di Santa Croce in Alassio to the San Martino Abbey in Albenga. Along the way, it passes through Mediterranean scrub and offers views of the sea and Isola Gallinara. This route therefore focuses on both archaeological remains and scenery.
Other trails are described by their different uses and lengths: the Vipera Ciclovia is a 5.98-kilometer mountain biking trail, while the Salita pedonale Solva is a 2.5-kilometer walking route. These details help you distinguish the options by activity type. Trail conditions can change, so check locally for the latest information before setting out.
The coastal scenery also varies: Alassio has a golden beach with very fine sand. La Cappelletta is a viewpoint above the waves, overlooking the Baia del Sole. If you’re interested in the coast, these offer two distinct perspectives on the beach and sea, separate from the historic trails.
Gardens, excursions and local specialties
The Giardini di Villa della Pergola can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Different types of flowers can be admired there at various times of year; blooms may vary depending on the weather. Many fruits also grow on the trees. If you’re planning a visit, check guided tour availability in advance.
A snorkeling excursion offered in Alassio between Alassio and Isola Gallinara includes a boat trip, free use of snorkeling equipment, and lunch with drinks on board. If you’re planning this activity, check its availability and what’s included in advance.
Local sweets include Baci di Alassio. They are made with PGI Piemonte hazelnuts, sugar, egg whites, acacia honey and cocoa. Two cookies are joined with chocolate cream and fresh cream. The Fiera De.Co. takes place every year around December 7. If you’d like to plan your stay around it, check the event dates.
Discover more destinations
Borgio Verezzi, Coasco, Varigotti, Albissola Marina, Ranzi, Bormida-Genepro, Noli, Andora
For the main travel overview: Savona.
