Alassio sits along a wide, sandy bay on Liguria's western riviera, and it's one of the few towns on this stretch of coast where you can actually walk barefoot on proper sand rather than pebbles. The long seafront promenade runs the length of the beach, lined with gelaterias and café terraces. Behind the beach, the old town's narrow caruggi lanes feel more lived-in than polished. We think it's a strong pick for families who want a genuine Italian beach holiday without the crowds of the Amalfi Coast, though parking in summer can test your patience.
Why Stay in Alassio
- Rare sandy beach: Alassio's beach stretches over a kilometre. Most of Liguria's coast is rocky or pebbly, so this is a genuine advantage for families with small children. The downside: much of the beach is split into paid stabilimenti (expect around €20-30 per day for two sunbeds and an umbrella in peak season).
- Walkable old town: Restaurants, shops, and the famous Muretto wall are all within a few minutes' walk from the beach. You won't need your car once you're settled in.
- Good train links: Alassio's station sits right in town, making day trips to Genoa, Sanremo, or the French border straightforward without a car.
- Quieter than the big names: It draws mainly Italian and German tourists rather than huge international crowds. That said, August is packed. If you can, visit in June or September.
Things to Do in Alassio
The beach is the main event here, and honestly that's enough for most visitors. But if you want a break from the sand, there's more going on than you might expect.
The Muretto di Alassio is a wall covered in ceramic tiles signed by celebrities who've visited over the decades. It's a five-minute walk from the beach and a decent excuse for a passeggiata through the old town. Follow Via XX Settembre through the caruggi for the best food shopping: bakeries selling focaccia al formaggio, delis with fresh pesto, and a couple of very good fish restaurants.
For a proper walk, take the trail up to the Chiesa di Santa Croce, a Romanesque church on the headland west of town. It's a 40-minute climb with good views back over the bay. Not a difficult hike, but bring water in summer.
Day trips work well from here. Albenga is just 10 minutes by train and has a well-preserved medieval centre that most tourists skip. The island of Gallinara sits just offshore (boat trips run in summer, roughly €15-20). If you're up for a longer outing, Genoa is about 90 minutes by train. Be aware that the coast road (the Aurelia) gets badly congested on summer weekends.
