ALBENGA: CITY OF HUNDRED TOWERS & FLAVOURS

Albenga: City of Hundred Towers and Flavours

A Destination to Discover Slowly, Leaf After Leaf

Albenga is a city where history whispers from every stone and flavor lingers in every bite. Once home to Sapiens hunters and Celts, then Roman settlers, this timeless town unfolds between the valleys of Pennavaire, Arroscia, Neva and Lerrone—each rich in nature, traditions, and unforgettable tastes.

A Journey Through Time

Known as the “City of Hundred Towers,” Albenga traces its name to the Centa River—the shortest in Italy. Today, it is celebrated for:

•  Its legendary vegetables and aromatic plants
• Beautiful flowers and blooms exported across Europe
• A stunning old town, second in size only to Genoa

Wander through medieval gates and discover:

• The Cathedral of San Michele, partially buried under layers of river sediment
• The 5th-century Baptistery, one of the oldest in Christianity
• Noble palaces and buildings of the Fieschi, Borea Ricci, Lengueglia and Costa del Carretto families

Art, Museums, and Memory

Albenga’s cultural heartbeat lies in its museums:

• Naval Museum: With relics from Roman shipwrecks
• Roman Museum: Featuring Phoenician glass and prehistoric artifacts
• Diocesan Museum: A sanctuary of sacred art
• Olive Oil & Rural Life Museum by Sommariva, beside a centuries-old oil mill

Albenga at the Table

Take a break and taste:

• A slice of farinata with local wine like Pigato or Rossese
• A British-style brunch with cake and English tea
• A craft beer with appetizers in a cozy brewery
• A seaside cocktail with a view

Ancient Sites Outside the Walls

Beyond the medieval center:

• Visit Pontelungo and the Basilica of San Vittore
• Cross the red bridge to explore Roman baths and San Calocero’s basilica
• Walk the Via Julia Augusta, with amphitheaters and tombs

Seaside Charm and Summer Life

Stroll down Martiri della Libertà, shaded by fragrant lime trees, and admire Liberty-style villas. In Piazza Europa, find the ancient Dorias fort overlooking Gallinara Island—marking the lively district of seaside tourism and summer fun.

The Heart of Albenga: Slow Food & Slow Travel

Explore the agricultural “Piana,” home to the region’s top culinary treasures:

I QUATTRO DI ALBENGA:

• Spiny Artichoke
• Violet Asparagus (Slow Food certified)
• Cuore di Bue Tomato
•  Trombetta Courgette

Add to that vibrant flowers like cyclamen, orchids, briantemi, and geraniums.

Active & Conscious Exploration

Slow tourism here includes:

• Trekking, orienteering, and cycling
• Climbing in Val Pennavaire
• Paragliding and horseback riding

• A full range of water sports

Albenga invites you to explore as you would an artichoke—leaf after leaf, slowly and joyfully.