Alassio is a resort town on the Ligurian Coast. It is famous for its sandy beaches, which are perfect for a family holiday, the charming old town and Muretto, i.e. walls on which famous resort guests attach their signed plates.
Alassio's history dates back to the turn of the 9th and 10th centuries. It was the property of the Benedictines, whose monastery was located on the nearby island of Gallinara. Today, you can go to Gallinara by boat as part of organized excursions for tourists. From the late Middle Ages, Alassio became part of the Genoese Republic and became a center of the coral trade. After the unification of Italy, it began to gain fame as a resort town, and in the mid-twentieth century it was compared with resorts such as Sanremo and Portofino.
The oldest part of Alassio consists of historic, colorful houses standing in narrow streets. They lead directly to the beach. The main pedestrian street, called Budello di Alassio by locals, is a rather narrow, paved street full of restaurants, bars, and souvenir and handicraft shops. Within the Old Town, you can also see the dome-covered church of St. Anna.
The beach of Alassio is several kilometers long. It is wide and sandy, and the coastal shallows extend deep into the sea. This makes it a perfect place to relax with children. Halfway down the beach is the 100 meter long Alassio Pier, which offers a beautiful view of the city.
Among the attractions of Alassio are excursions along the coast and the island of Gallinara, as well as the famous Alassio Wall, also known as Muretto. It was established in the mid-twentieth century. Famous visitors of the resort left their signatures on the wall with a sculpture of a couple in love. You can find here autographs of Louis Armstrong, Woody Allen and Ernest Hemingway.
