Albium Hotel
Albenga - Via Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 1
Located in Albenga, 800 metres from Albenga Beach, Albium Hotel provides accommodation with a terrace, private parking and a bar.
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Albenga brings together slow tourism and outdoor experiences without overlooking seaside holidays: a Ligurian city capable of pleasing everyone!
Its trump card is certainly its lengthy history, which begins long before the Roman city of Albingaunum was founded and which has left behind architectural and artistic treasures of immeasurable value. Albenga is considered the capital of Roman and medieval Liguria (though there are also evident traces of earlier and later periods) and is an unmissable stop for anyone interested in archaeology, art and culture.
You can seek out other treasures along the trails, rock faces, valleys and woodlands of the hinterland, which represent a sort of wonderland for enthusiasts of relaxing or adrenaline-fuelled outdoor holidays.
Or you can hunt for them on the plate, since Albenga is renowned as the City of Wine for its important wine production and four Slow Food presidia that will delight any food lover. The area’s finest offerings are purple asparagus, trombetta courgettes, spiny artichokes, beefheart tomatoes (or Albenga tomatoes), and Pigato, Rossese and Vermentino wines.
Or, without venturing too far afield, you can stretch out on the beach and enjoy the splendid views of the nearby Gallinara Island whilst the sun caresses your skin and the sound of the waves gently lulls you into restorative sleep.
The things to see in Albenga are scattered throughout the historic centre, along the coast, in the hinterland hamlets and on a charming island. Here are the attractions you mustn’t miss.
Albenga’s top attraction isn’t on the mainland but rather offshore: the Gallinara Island, a small isle rich in flora and fauna that owes its amusing name to the presence of wild hens in Roman times.
The tiny island covers just 11 hectares, rises 87 metres above sea level and has only one resident – the warden responsible for protecting it from fire.
The coast is jagged and steep, making access to the island difficult, yet since ancient times man has managed to set foot on Gallinara. Evidence of this is the presence of an ancient Benedictine monastery (probably erected in honour of the hermit saint Martin of Tours, who stayed here between 356 and 360 AD), a defensive tower and a votive chapel.
Clearly visible from Albenga, Gallinara deserves to be admired up close on a boat trip: the island is currently not open to visitors, so sea excursions are the only way to appreciate its wild beauty.
During the summer months, excursions also include one or more swimming stops in the waters around the island, which are very clean thanks to the establishment of a protected marine area.
The waters around Gallinara are particularly beloved by divers: Punta Falconara and Punta Sciusciau are two popular diving sites. At the former, you can admire the underwater statue of Christ the Redeemer, placed at a depth of 18 metres.
To preserve the delicate ecosystem of Gallinara, the island is not accessible to visitors, but you can still appreciate its rich environmental heritage by visiting the interactive exhibition at the Gallinara Island Multimedia Centre. The visit is organised as a themed route covering the island’s flora and fauna and its exceptionally rich underwater environment.
The multimedia installations at the museum will allow you to view the island from original and exciting perspectives, for example from the viewpoint of a seagull in flight or a diver descending into the depths.
The Magiche Trasparenze Museum is a permanent exhibition devoted to Roman glass from Albenga, marvellous ancient artefacts that the city is justly proud of.
The collection comprises almost 200 pieces dating between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD; among these are both everyday objects from various fields (kitchen, health, hygiene, games, decoration…) and luxury items, including some rare or bizarrely shaped pieces.
The exhibition is also known as the Blue Plate Museum, named after its most famous artefact. This is an exceptional glass plate in cobalt blue, decorated with an inlay of extraordinary precision depicting two cherubs dancing in honour of the god of wine. It was discovered in a Roman tomb in the centre of Albenga.
The museum is worth visiting not only for this collection of inestimable value, but also for the chance to experience special activities such as trying unguents and perfumes made according to ancient Roman recipes that were once stored in glass containers, and listening to the sound of glass produced by an original music box.
Another archaeological museum not to miss in Albenga is the Roman Naval Museum dedicated to archaeologist Nino Lamboglia and housed in the elegant Palazzo Peloso Cepolla.
The museum’s most important section displays finds recovered from the Albenga Roman ship, an honours vessel discovered at a depth of 42 metres, a mile offshore. It is the largest Roman cargo ship yet found (with a capacity of between 450 and 500 tonnes!) and is considered one of the most important ancient wrecks in the Mediterranean.
You will see naval equipment, vessels, fishing implements, helmets, personal items belonging to the crew and other artefacts. Perhaps the most impressive sight is that of hundreds of wine amphorae displayed exactly as they were positioned on the ship.
The ancient Episcopal Palace of Albenga is the elegant home of the Diocesan Museum, a collection of sacred art spanning over a thousand years of history.
On display you will find Early Christian artefacts, medieval paintings, sixteenth-century tapestries and eighteenth-century statues. By visiting the museum, you will also have the opportunity to admire the chapel of the ancient tower and the room of verzure, which were once used as the private residence of the bishops.
Among the collection’s most precious works are the paintings “Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria” by Guido Reni and “Miracle of Saint Veran” by Giovanni Lanfranco, as well as a copy of “Saint John in the Desert” by Caravaggio.
The Albenga Baptistery is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in northern Italy. Built in the 5th-6th century AD, it has an octagonal interior plan and a decagonal exterior, and sits at the ancient level of the city, lower than the current one.
An inept restoration intervention led to the destruction of the masonry vault in 1898; for this reason the baptistery is today surmounted by a wooden structure.
It deserves a visit for its evocative chiaroscuro created by the convexities of the niches and for the magnificent mosaic with its complex symbolism in blue and yellow that decorates the vault of the central niche.
The only way to enter the Early Christian baptistery is to take part in a guided tour organised by the Diocesan Museum.
Dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, Albenga’s Cathedral was built in the Middle Ages on the remains of a 5th-century Early Christian church; its current appearance is very different from its original form because the church was substantially modified over the centuries.
On the exterior, the cathedral is notable for its imposing late-Gothic bell tower; the interior contains artistic treasures including a magnificent nineteenth-century organ with a seventeenth-century case.
Walking through the centre of Albenga and the nearby hamlets you will encounter elegant historic palaces. In addition to the already mentioned Palazzo Peloso Cepolla and Palazzo Vescovile, now home to museums, worthy of note are Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Costa (Palazzo Costa del Carretto di Balestrino or more simply Palazzo Vescovado) and Palazzo Scotto Niccolari, the first dating from the medieval period and the other two erected between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Also deserving of a place on the list of Albenga’s most beautiful buildings are some historic residences, including Casa Fieschi Ricci and Casa d’Aste Basso (the latter featuring a splendid fifteenth-century loggia).
Albenga, like numerous Ligurian towns, was equipped with a defensive system built to protect it from attacks from the hinterland and the coast.
Numerous towers remain from the ancient defensive system, with the most important being the Torre della Ciò (also called Torre della Paciotta), the Torre Costa and the Torre Navone, the sixteenth-century Genoese fortlet and the castle in the hamlet of Bastia dating back to the thirteenth century.
Albenga’s hinterland is a territory rich in hidden treasures, to be sought at a leisurely pace: castles, medieval walls, towers, churches, wineries, stone bridges, panoramic views over the mountains, houses perched on rock and other wonders.
There are four valleys around Albenga: Val Neva, Val Pennavaire, Valle Arroscia and Val Lerrone; among the most beautiful hamlets are Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, Cisano, Zuccarello, Castelbianco, Ortovero and Villanova d’Albenga.
From Albenga it is also possible to visit Sanremo, Imperia, Ventimiglia, Alassio and other resorts on the Ponente Riviera on a day trip.
Albenga is also an excellent base for those wanting an active holiday. In and around the city it is possible to engage in numerous outdoor sports activities, whether to relax or to get a shot of adrenaline! You can try your hand at new sports or pursue a passion you already know well by choosing from hiking, trail running, mountain biking, Nordic walking, rock climbing, paragliding and much more.
And of course, water sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to do: diving, sailing, fishing, kitesurfing… there is truly something for everyone!
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Albenga’s beaches stretch along a 1.5 km coastline with views of Gallinara Island. They are all fine sand beaches mixed with shingle, some free and others equipped, easy to reach and suitable for all: young people, families with children, couples.
There is also a dog-friendly beach with specific services for those travelling with their four-legged friend.
From Albenga you can easily reach all the main seaside resorts of the Ponente Riviera, including Alassio, Diano Marina, San Lorenzo al Mare and Arma di Taggia.
Albenga is a lively tourist destination with a wide range of accommodation catering to different types of travellers. You can find hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartments and residences at various prices in the centre, on the seafront or in the hinterland.
Choosing where to stay depends on the type of holiday you want: the centre is the best area for cultural breaks, the coast is recommended for those wanting a seaside holiday whilst the hinterland is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet and for outdoor holidays.
We offer a selection of hotels at Albenga to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Albenga, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Albenga. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Albenga are in high demand.
Getting to Albenga by car is really easy – simply take the A10 Genoa-Ventimiglia motorway, exit at Albenga and follow signs for the city centre or the coast.
The city has a railway station served by numerous regional and intercity trains to Genoa that stop at all the main resorts along the Ligurian coast. With a change in Genoa you can reach Milan and other major cities in northern Italy.
There is an airport at Villanova, a hamlet within Albenga municipality, but it is a private airport. The nearest civil airport is Genoa, 85 km away, which is also served by budget airlines.
What's the weather at Albenga? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Albenga for the next few days.
Albenga is a municipality in the province of Savona situated along the Riviera di Ponente, roughly midway between Genoa and the French border. The provincial capital is approximately 40 km away (heading east), whilst to the west you'll find Imperia (35 km) and Sanremo (65 km).
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