Albenga's beaches from north to south: lungomare Doria and Colombo with free equipped beaches, the Centa river mouth facing Gallinara, and Vadino.
The old town of Albenga is not on the sea: its towers stand about a kilometre from the shore, and the beach starts behind the station. The coastline is almost three kilometres long, split in two by the mouth of the Centa river: to the north the town’s seafront, to the south the Vadino district. Gallinara island is always in front of you. Here are the stretches one by one, with the free beaches, wind sports and practical information.
North of the Centa mouth the coast faces east and runs straight towards Ceriale. Along the shore, beach clubs alternate with free stretches, linked by the seafront promenade. South of the river mouth the coast bends west and takes the name of Vadino. It is all flat: you can get around on foot or by bike.
This is the northernmost stretch, towards Ceriale. Here you will find one of the town’s two free beaches with facilities, between the Circolo Nautico (sailing club) and the Dopolavoro Ferroviario (railway workers’ club) area. The rest of the shore is mostly taken by beach clubs, with bars and restaurants on the sea. It is handy if you are staying in the northern part of town or arriving by train.
This is the beach closest to the station and the centre: from the station in piazza Matteotti you are on the sand in five minutes. Between Bagni Albenga and the pier next to Bagni Ondina is the second free beach with facilities. On either side there are free stretches without services and more beach clubs. It is the busiest area in summer.
Where the river meets the sea, Gallinara looks very close: this is the spot with the best view of the island. It is not a place for a full beach day, but it is worth a walk at sunset. The island is a regional nature reserve and landing is not allowed: you can see it up close on the boat trips, which leave mainly from Alassio.
Beyond the river mouth, towards Alassio, begins Vadino, a residential district built after the course of the Centa was moved. The beach alternates beach clubs and free stretches and is used mainly by people staying in the area. It is further from the station than the town seafront: if you don’t have a car, a bike is the best option.
In Albenga you have three options. Free beaches cost nothing and have no services. The free beaches with facilities, on lungomare Colombo and lungomare Doria, are run by operators appointed by the town council: entry is free and you only pay for an umbrella and lounger if you want them. Beach clubs have changing cabins, showers and bars; some can be booked online. In 2026 the town council put the concessions of 14 beach clubs out to tender: names and operators may change in the coming years.
For dogs there is the Spiaggia di Balto, equipped specially for them and listed by the tourist office; some private beach clubs also accept pets. Bring an up-to-date pet health booklet and ask about the rules before you arrive.
The Gulf of Albenga has steady wind and the shelter of the mountains behind it, which makes it a good place for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. The main winds come from the north-east, west and south-west. Be careful with the tramontana: it blows offshore, in gusts, and pushes you out to sea, with no headlands to shelter behind on the way back. If you are not experienced, only go out with a school.
By train you are already at the sea: the station is a few minutes’ walk from the seafront. From the old town it is about a quarter of an hour on foot along tree-lined avenues, or take a bike: the town is flat. By car, avoid the centre, which is a limited traffic zone with camera-controlled gates. The town council lists several free car parks, but those near the sea fill up early in summer: arrive in the morning.
The bathing season runs from late spring to September; beach clubs put up their cabins between March and April. In storms the beach gets narrower, because this stretch of coast suffers from erosion: check the Albenga weather before you set off. Some people even swim between Christmas and Epiphany.
If you want finer sand, Alassio is a few minutes away by train or on foot along the via Iulia Augusta, with more than three kilometres of beach. Right after it is Laigueglia, with a 2026 Blue Flag for its eastern shore. Towards Savona, Loano, Pietra Ligure (western beach) and Finale Ligure, with Malpasso beach and the beach of Varigotti, also have the 2026 Blue Flag. Malpasso, which some guides attribute to Albenga, is in the municipality of Finale.
FAQ
They are fine sand mixed with shingle. For an all-sand beach go to Alassio, a few minutes away by train.
Yes. Besides the free stretches without services there are two free beaches with facilities, on lungomare Colombo and lungomare Doria, where you only pay for an umbrella and lounger.
No, Albenga is not on the 2026 Blue Flag list. Nearby Laigueglia, Loano, Pietra Ligure and Finale Ligure have it.
Lungomare Colombo: from the station you can walk there in about five minutes.
Yes, to the Spiaggia di Balto, equipped for dogs, and to some beach clubs that accept them. Ask about the rules before you go.
No, the island is a nature reserve and landing is not allowed. You can take a boat trip around it, mainly from Alassio, or dive with authorised diving centres.
Where to stay
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