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Table of Contents:
How to get to Alassio from Genoa
How to get to Alassio from Milan
When to travel to Alassio
Alassio is a famous resort town located in the province of Savona in the north of the Ligurian shore. Alassio, among other resorts of the Ligurian Riviera, has one undeniable advantage. It is sandy quartz beaches that stretch for several kilometers along the shore. In addition, the local climate is considered to be healing, i.e. Alassio is recognized as a climatic resort. Precipitation is also minimal throughout the year, so the holiday season in Alassio lasts the longest on the Ligurian coast.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Alassio. I figured out how to get to the sea resort, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Alassio.
To my mind, the best time for visiting Alassio is the period from May to October, when the weather is sunny and warm. The swimming season lasts from June until September though. The other time is good for strolling around, going on excursions and trying local gastronomy. In late autumn and in winter the number of tourists in Alassio is minimal.
How to get to Alassio
Where do you fly into to get to Alassio? You can get to Alassio via the airports of Milan and Genoa. You can check the current flight timetable to both cities via specialized online services such as Aviasales and other similar ones. Then, high-speed trains run from Milan or Genoa to Alassio; you can also use taxi services or rent a car.
How to get to Alassio from Genoa
According to my map research, the distance between the administrative center of Liguria – Genoa and Alassio is about 100 km. Alassio is located in the province of Savona north of Genoa, 50 km from the border with France.
By train: Both regional (R) and high-speed trains (IC) run from Genoa to Alassio. The first regional trains start running at 5 am, while high-speed trains start running at 9 am. The last train from Genoa to Alassio departs at midnight. The travel time is about 1 hour 15 minutes by high-speed train or 1 hour 45 minutes by regional train. In some cases, tourists need to make a change at Savona, but most trains operate directly. You can check the current train timetable in advance and purchase tickets at the Raileurope booking service. I can definitely recommend using Raileurope as I have a very positive experience of using it when planning my own trips. It has a convenient search with a lot of useful additional options.
By taxi: Trains between Genoa and Alassio do not run 24 hours a day, so another option for getting from one city to another at night is a taxi. The travel time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. You can order a taxi directly at the airport, or in advance via the various online services like Kiwitaxi and others. I tried both variants and as a rule when booking online in advance I have more options available.
By rented car: If you have a driver’s license, you can get to Alassio by rented car. This option is extremely popular among tourists with a driver`s license. Finding a rental office in Genoa is not difficult; several offices are located in the city center. In addition, there is a great number of rental offices at the airport. The cities are connected with highway No. A10/E80; the travel time is no more than 2 hours (see on the map). You can book the desired class of car in advance via various car rental services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. According to my experience, during the holiday season, early booking will allow you to choose the best option in terms of price and quality, as Genoa is a popular tourist destination.
How to get to Alassio from Milan
The distance between Milan and Alassio is approximately 220 km, which can be covered by train or by taxi. Milan and Alassio are connected with the #A7 and #A10/E80 motorways.
By train: The first trains from Milan to Alassio start running at 7 am. The route is served by high-speed trains such as IC and EC types. The travel time is approximately 3 hours. Trains run every 2 hours. There are both direct trains and with a change in Genoa. (in this case, the trip duration is extended by 1 hour). You can check the current train timetable in advance and purchase tickets at the Raileurope booking service. Raileurope is one of my favourite online planners which I use pretty much often when organizing upcoming trips. It has a decent search with a lot of filters to narrow down the results.
By taxi: Another option to get to Alassio from Milan is to use a taxi service. For instance, it is useful when arriving at night. You can find a taxi right at the airport, or book in advance via various online services such as Kiwitaxi and others. The travel time from Milan to Alassio takes approximately 3 hours 20 minutes. Based on my research, Kiwitaxi has a lot of positive reviews.
By rented car: From Milan, as well as from Genoa, you can get to Alassio by renting a car. Rental offices can be found both in the city and at Malpensa Airport, as well as at Bergamo or Linate Airports. As an option tourists can also rent a car in advance via different international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. You can reach Alassio in 3 hours via motorways #A7 and #A10/E80 (see on the map). In my point of view, both online services mentioned above are good for searching available car rental options. I would recommend comparing their results to choose the best one.
Where to stay in Alassio
I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay here. In Alassio there are hotels of any star category, from luxury to standard hotels. The type of accommodation such as apart-hotels or apartments is becoming increasingly popular, which gives resort guests greater freedom of choice. The following hotels in Alassio are popular among travellers:
Grand Hotel Spiaggia 4* has its own beach, restaurant and outdoor rooftop pool. Hotel guests can also enjoy free Wi-Fi and private parking for an additional fee (reservation is required). The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, fax/copying services and luggage storage;
Hotel Lido 4* has its own private beach, free for hotel guests. The rooms and the local restaurant have panoramic sea views. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, which is also available in the restaurant. Private parking is provided nearby (reservation is required). The front desk is open 24 hours a day and luggage storage services are also available;
Hotel Savoia 3* is located on the first beach line and has panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast or half board are included in the price. Each room is equipped with a kettle or a coffee pot. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Private parking is provided nearby upon reservation and at an additional cost. The front desk is open 24 hours a day;
Hotel Dei Fiori Restaurant – Meeting & Spa 3* is located close to the sea. Guests can enjoy a wellness center, a fitness room, a restaurant, and a bar. You can stay in double and triple rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Private parking is provided nearby for an additional fee. The wellness center has a Turkish bath and hydromassage. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and there are luggage storage services available;
Hotel Villa Igea 3* is located on the embankment; the nearest beach is a few minutes’ walk. The hotel has its own terrace overlooking the sea and the garden. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Paid public parking is provided nearby (reservation is required). As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the front desk is open 24 hours a day and luggage storage services are also available.
What to see in Alassio
Holidays in Italian Alassio are attractive for those who prefer high-quality beaches and a turquoise sea. The beaches of Alassio are marked with the “blue flag”, which means that the beach area here is one of the cleanest on the entire shore. The “high” season in Alassio lasts from June to September, and the local climate is considered to be one of the mildest and most comfortable; precipitation is extremely rare here. In addition, the town is surrounded with hills, protecting the resort from winds, so the warm weather here lasts longer than in any other resort in Liguria.
Despite the fact that a holiday in Alassio can be called a purely beach holiday, nevertheless, you can find interesting places and attractions to see here. When asked what to see in Alassio, one can answer that the attention of tourists is definitely attracted to the architectural and historical buildings preserved here, mainly churches built in different centuries. A more modern attraction is the Muretto Wall with numerous autographs of celebrities. Well, those who love natural landscapes, go on a short cruise to the island of Gallinara.
Churches of Alassio
In Alassio, several churches from different historical periods have been preserved and are worthy of the attention of tourists. For example, the church of the Madonna de la Guardia dates back to the early 13th century and is located on a hill close to Alassio. The church has interesting interiors, so you should definitely climb the hill and go inside this architectural sight, and not limit yourself to just an external observation. The church is located on a hill surrounded by a park area, where both locals and city guests love to stroll around.
In the center of Alassio is the 15th-century church of Saint Ambrogio, with Romanesque and Baroque elements. The exterior of the building is decorated with bas-reliefs and statues, while the interior is decorated with frescoes and works of famous Italian painters.
Wall of Muretto
Among the things to see in Alassio, it is definitely worth mentioning the Muretto Wall. It was once an ordinary, unremarkable wall, until Ernest Hemingway, who was on vacation at the resort, left his autograph on it. Since then, the celebrities who visited Alassio at different times have signed the wall. Among the famous people you can find autographs from Sophie Loren, Adriano Celentano, Valentino and many others. You may have a look for the wall on Via Dante.
Gallinara Islands
The island of Gallinara, located off the shore of Alassio, is a protected area due to its unique natural ecosystem. It is home to many rare birds and reptiles, as well as rare tree and plant species. Among the attractions of the island, in addition to the amazing nature, you can also note the ruins of an old Benedictine monastery, a Gothic church and a round tower, which dates back to the 16th century. Tourists, who are keen on diving, can enjoy diving off the shore of Gallinara; there are several large diving centers offering underwater equipment and experienced guides to help you. It should be noted that the underwater fauna is no less interesting than the one.
Beaches of Alassio
The beaches of Italian Alassio consist of white quartz sand and have a gentle entrance to the sea, which together makes the resort beaches one of the best on the entire shore. Unlike most rocky and large-pebble beaches in Liguria, the beaches of Alassio are even suitable for swimming with small kids.
The main feature of Alassio beaches is that they are all private and assigned to certain hotels, so in descriptions of Alassio hotels you can often find the option “hotel with its own private beach”. It must be said that you can use the services of the beaches of any of the hotels, even if you do not live in it, but you will need to pay a fixed price for entry. And even staying in a certain hotel does not guarantee free access to the beach; often the cost is simply slightly lower than for those who do not live in this hotel. In any case, it is better to clarify this question when booking.
In my opinion, the advantage of the private beach areas in Alassio is that the local beaches are considered to be one of the cleanest and most well-groomed on the shore, and each of them is equipped with everything necessary from sunbeds and umbrellas to showers and water equipment.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Pedro de Carvalho Ponchio
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…