Albenga, often called "the city of the hundred towers", is a popular resort on the Italian Riviera. Its new part is dominated by typical seaside buildings with numerous hotels and holiday apartments, while the Old Town has retained its historical character with nice, historic buildings.
The city was founded by the Romans on the road leading towards Provence. There was also an important seaport here, but no traces have been preserved due to the siltation of the coastal areas. Items found during the excavations can be viewed at the local Diocesan Museum.
Albenga flourished during the Genoese rule that began in the Middle Ages. The city was of a commercial and artisanal character. It was then that the construction of residential towers began, which on the one hand were defensive in nature, and on the other hand testified to the wealth of the inhabitants. The richer the owner, the taller the tower he built for his family. At the peak of the city's development, there were over 100 residential towers. Twelve of them have survived to this day. They are all in private hands, and one of them has a guesthouse.
Apart from the Old Town, Albenga's biggest attraction is the local beach. The city is a popular holiday resort, eagerly chosen, among others by families with children because of the calm and relatively shallow sea. The local beaches are sand and gravel with good facilities and numerous opportunities for active leisure. There are recreational and leisure equipment rentals, excursions along the coast are organized, and you can also take a tour of the former Roman trade route in the area.
