Barely an hour from Monaco, Alassio unfurls one of the longest ribbons of fine sand on the Italian Riviera. Our complete guide to discovering this seaside gem in a day.
Barely an hour from the Principality, Alassio unfurls one of the longest ribbons of fine golden sand on the entire Italian Riviera. This Ligurian seaside resort, bathed in golden light and edged by crystal-clear waters, charmed the English aristocracy long before it became the summer rendezvous of Riviera connoisseurs. A postcard beach, the colourful lanes of the Budello, a wall of celebrities signed by Hemingway: visiting Alassio means tasting the Ligurian dolce vita without giving up refinement. Here is our complete guide to discovering this seaside gem in a day from Monaco, with insider tips from our team.
Alassio, the seaside pearl of the Italian Riviera
Set in the province of Savona, on the Riviera di Ponente that Italians also call the Riviera delle Palme, Alassio stretches along a sheltered, south-facing bay. The town owes its reputation to its nearly three kilometres of golden sand, a rarity on a Ligurian coast more often made of pebbles and rocky coves.
At the turn of the 19th century, Alassio was one of the favourite winter destinations of the British aristocracy. The English planted gardens, opened a library and a church, and shaped a discreet elegance that still pervades the pastel facades and flower-lined promenades today. This dual identity, Italian at heart and cosmopolitan by history, is the town's great charm.
For guests of the Port Palace, our boutique hotel on Port Hercule, Alassio is ideal for a day trip: leave Monaco after breakfast, lunch with your feet in the sand, and return for an aperitif facing the yachts.
What to do in Alassio? The must-sees
Compact and entirely pedestrian at its heart, Alassio is best discovered on foot. Here are the places not to miss on your first visit.
The Muretto, the wall of celebrities signed by Hemingway
The absolute symbol of Alassio, the Muretto is a small wall covered with more than 550 colourful ceramic tiles, each signed by a famous personality. The story begins in 1953 when the writer Ernest Hemingway, a friend of café owner Mario Berrino, added the first signature. Since then, artists, athletes, writers and film stars have left their mark on this wall, now a true institution.
Take the time to decipher the names: it is a poetic treasure hunt in the heart of the old town, right opposite the Sant'Ambrogio church.
The Budello, beating heart of the old town
The Budello, properly named Via XX Settembre, is the historic pedestrian artery of Alassio. This narrow, winding lane, lined with the colourful houses typical of Liguria, is packed with designer boutiques, artisan gelato shops and aperitif bars. This is where the town's pulse beats, especially in the late afternoon when the terraces fill up for the aperitivo.
💡 Concierge's tip
“ To enjoy the Budello without the crowds, arrive in the late morning: the shops have just opened and the terraces are still quiet. Book your lunch table before noon, then save your swim for the early afternoon, when the beach empties at mealtime. ”
The fine sandy beach and the Pontile Bestoso
Alassio's great beach is the heart of the experience. Its fine golden sand, gentle slope and shallow waters make it one of the most family-friendly on the Riviera. Beach clubs offer loungers and parasols, but a few stretches of free beach remain for independent bathers.
Walk out to the Pontile Bestoso, the iconic pier that reaches out over the sea: it is the dream spot for a sunset photo, with Gallinara Island as a backdrop.
Gallinara Island, a turtle-shaped nature reserve
Off the coast of Alassio rises the silhouette of Gallinara Island, an eleven-hectare islet whose shape evokes a turtle resting on the water. Now a protected nature reserve, it shelters a unique Mediterranean flora and the remains of an ancient Benedictine monastery that held sway over the whole Riviera in the 11th century.
You cannot land freely on the island, but boat trips allow you to skirt its shores and admire its seabed, prized by divers.
The Sant'Ambrogio church and the heritage
In the heart of the old town, the Sant'Ambrogio church reveals Baroque architecture, beautiful frescoes and a Gothic bell tower that dominates the rooftops. A few steps away, the lanes unveil a fountain, a shuttered palazzo or a craftsman's workshop around a corner. Alassio is best savoured this way, with no fixed itinerary, following your whims.
What to taste in Alassio? Ligurian cuisine
It is impossible to leave Alassio without giving in to its signature sweet: the Baci di Alassio. These soft little cakes made with Piedmont hazelnuts and cocoa, filled with a chocolate ganache, were born here in the 1910s and bear the town's name like a gourmet coat of arms.
On the savoury side, Ligurian cuisine is everywhere to be enjoyed: focaccia golden with olive oil, trofie al pesto, freshly grilled fish and the famous chickpea farinata. Pair it all with a glass of Pigato or Vermentino, the region's white wines.
Back in Monaco, extend this journey of the senses at La Môme, our rooftop restaurant on the 6th floor, where Chef Benjamin Zannier reinterprets Mediterranean cuisine facing Port Hercule.
How to get to Alassio from Monaco?
Alassio lies about 67 kilometres from Monaco, which makes it a perfect destination for a day. Two main options are available.
By car
The drive takes a little over an hour via the A10 motorway (Albenga exit, then a few minutes to Alassio). It is the most flexible solution for exploring the region and combining Alassio with another village. Bear in mind the Italian tolls and parking, often paid along the seafront in summer.
By train
Alassio station is served from Monaco-Monte-Carlo with around twenty connections a day. Allow between 1h28 and 1h45 of travel, usually with a change at Ventimiglia or Genoa, for a ticket from around ten euros. The train drops you a few minutes' walk from the beach and the centre, with no parking worries.
For maximum comfort, our services include private transfers and luxury car hire: our guests can reach Liguria in a chauffeured sedan or behind the wheel of a prestige car.
When to visit Alassio? Season and market
Alassio is experienced above all in summer, from June to September, when the sea reaches an ideal temperature for swimming and the town comes alive late into the evening. Spring and early autumn offer a quieter alternative, with mild temperatures and uncrowded beaches.
If you can, plan your visit on a Saturday, the day of the big weekly market: stalls of fresh produce, Ligurian specialities, clothes and crafts fill the streets in a joyful, authentic atmosphere.
☉ Good to know
In high season, Alassio's beach clubs rent loungers and parasols by the day, but a few stretches of free beach remain open to bathers. Arrive early on weekends to find a spot, and bring water shoes if you plan to explore the nearby coves of the Baia del Sole.
A day in Alassio from the Port Palace
Alassio fits naturally into a Monaco stay devoted to discovering the Riviera. From the Port Palace, the most beautiful villages of the Ligurian and French Riviera coasts are less than two hours away.
Extend your exploration with our neighbouring guides: gentle Bordighera and its palm trees, the city of flowers of San Remo, or the legendary village of Portofino. To stock up on Italian products before heading back, the Ventimiglia market remains an essential stop.
When evening comes, return to the comfort of our rooms and suites overlooking Port Hercule, to close a day of Riviera facing the lights of Monaco.
Port Palace Monaco
Make Alassio a stop on your stay in Monaco
Our rooms and suites overlooking Port Hercule place you at the heart of the Riviera, less than an hour from the most beautiful Italian beaches. Book and let us arrange every detail of your getaway.
Book your stayFAQ: your questions about Alassio
What to do in Alassio in a day?
In a day, stroll along the great fine sandy beach, decipher the signatures of the Muretto, lose yourself in the lanes of the Budello, taste some Baci di Alassio and finish with an aperitif facing Gallinara Island. As the centre is entirely pedestrian, everything is easily done on foot.
What is the speciality of Alassio?
The most famous speciality is the Baci di Alassio, a soft cake made with hazelnuts and cocoa and filled with a chocolate ganache, created in the town in the early 20th century. On the savoury side, focaccia and pesto dishes are unmissable.
What day is the market in Alassio?
The big weekly market in Alassio takes place on Saturday. The streets of the centre fill with stalls of fresh produce, Ligurian specialities and local crafts, in a lively atmosphere much appreciated by visitors.
How far is Alassio from Monaco?
Alassio is about 67 kilometres from Monaco, just over an hour by car via the A10 motorway, or between 1h28 and 1h45 by train from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. It is an ideal destination for a day trip.
Alassio, a seaside escape within reach of Monaco
With its golden sand, its lively pedestrian centre and its thoroughly Ligurian art of living, Alassio offers one of the most beautiful seaside interludes on the Italian Riviera, less than an hour from the Principality. For a day, you swap the buzz of Monte-Carlo for Mediterranean idleness, before returning to the refinement of your hotel.
To make Alassio one of the stops on an exceptional stay on the French Riviera and the Italian coast, treat yourself to a room facing Port Hercule in the heart of Monaco.
