Camping in Albenga

When camping by the sea in Albenga, holidaymakers can look forward to a fantastic view of the water in the morning or a swim before breakfast. However, the highlights of the town in the province of Savona in north-west Italy are not only to be discovered on the shore, but also in the centre. Guests are also welcome to bring their four-legged friends with them on a tour of discovery through the medieval centre, as camping with dogs is easily possible in Albenga.

Special features of camping in Albenga

The campsites in Albenga are located near the historic old town centre, with its imposing towers, winding alleyways, museums and ornate churches. This stretch of coast in the Liguria region is also known for its beautiful beaches. There are two small, clean and free beaches near the harbour, where those interested in culture can refresh themselves after sightseeing.

On the outskirts of Albenga in the direction of Imperia, the sea is crystal clear on the rocky beaches and is ideal for swimming and fishing. There is also a wide range of water sports on offer here and diving trips to the shipwrecks off Albenga are particularly popular with active holidaymakers. There is also a golf course near the holiday resort in Garlenda.

Arrival

Campers travelling from Germany choose different routes depending on where they are starting from. The distances from Hamburg are around 1320 km, from Cologne around 1034 km and from Munich around 710 km. These distances refer to the shortest connections. Depending on whether holidaymakers are travelling from the western or eastern part of Germany, they cross different border crossings.

The most popular routes are via Lindau and Chur to Bellinzona or via Basel and Lucerne to Bellinzona in Switzerland. From Bellinzona, most travellers take the same route via Milan and Savona. If you don't want to travel via Switzerland, you can also reach your destination from Munich via Innsbruck, Bolzano and Genoa, for example.

Tolls are compulsory in Austria, Switzerland and Italy, whereby motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes must be equipped with a Go-Box in Austria. Sufficient breaks and possibly even an overnight stop should be planned when travelling to and from the destination. This applies in particular to the holiday season, as this can lead to higher traffic volumes and delays.

Top 5 sights

• Cathedral of San Michele: The church was built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Worth seeing are the early Christian crypt, the Romanesque floors and the Gothic and Baroque elements.
• Baptistery: This important sacred building is located directly behind the cathedral. It dates back to the 5th century and is decorated with Byzantine mosaics in the interior.
• Civico Museo Ingauno: The city museum is housed in the highest tower of Albenga.
• Museo Navale Romano: Exhibits from two Roman cargo ships that once sank off the coast are stored here.
• Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra: The Diocesan Museum houses paintings, Flemish tapestries and frescoes.

Top 2 insider tips

• Cervo: If you are fascinated by the medieval centre of Albenga, you should definitely visit the idyllic neighbouring town of Cervo. The car-free municipality with its picturesque old town is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. After a stroll through the winding alleyways, past the castle and town museum, the pretty cafés and restaurants invite you to stop for a bite to eat.
• Bike hire: Campers who want to explore the city with its impressive gender towers or the surrounding area by bike can hire bikes at a pavilion in Piazza del Popolo at a reasonable price and go on a tour.

Activities and excursions

When camping in Albenga, holidaymakers can enjoy horse riding, mountain biking, golf and water sports. In addition to visiting cultural sights, a trip to the Le Caravelle water park is also recommended.

Cycling

In the region around the campsites in Albenga, there are numerous routes that are suitable for hiking and cycling. There is a suitable route for every level of fitness. A moderately difficult trekking tour leads from Albenga along the coast northwards to Finale Ligure. There are good bathing opportunities along the 21-kilometre route, which are ideal for a refreshing dip in between.

Diving on the wreck

The underwater world of Albenga has some treasures to offer, which can be discovered by diving. There are several diving schools on the coast that offer both courses and excursions. The wreck of an old Roman ship and the ancient amphorae lying on the seabed are very popular with water sports enthusiasts.

Le Caravelle water park

A trip to the Parco Acquatico Le Caravelle water park promises fun for the whole family. Children will particularly enjoy the pirate ship and other water games. Those looking for thrills on holiday can let off steam on the water park's numerous slides.

Events

Numerous religious festivals and sporting events take place in Albenga and the neighbouring villages, especially in the summer months.

April

• Loano Syncro Cup: Every year at Easter, the international synchronised swimming elite gather in the town of Loano, which lies around 11 km north of Albenga, to show off their skills.

July

• Fiat 500 meeting: A special event for car enthusiasts has been held in the neighbouring town of Garlenda every year since 1984. Hundreds of drivers come to the event with their old Fiat 500 models and celebrate their passion for the cult car. The event always lasts a whole weekend.
• La Danza nel Giardino del Principe: The summer arena in Loano is used for numerous events in the warmer months, including La Danza nel Giardino del Principe. At this international dance event, students from the Loana dance school perform modern and classical choreographies.

September

• Town festival: The traditional festival in honour of the patron saint San Michele of Albenga takes place every year on the 29th of the month. The venue is the historic old town centre and Piazza San Michele. Religious masses are held and stalls are set up by various associations and with regional specialities.

Gastronomy

The fertile surroundings of Albenga are used to grow fruit, and peaches in particular have become famous throughout the region. However, the alluvial plain of the River Centa also produces delicious vegetables, which are used, for example, for the vegetable soup minestrone and fresh salads. Freshly caught fish also plays an important role in the city's cuisine. Popular regional dishes include the fish soup Ciuppin or the focaccia bread Sardinaira topped with anchovies.

Products that come to the coast from the hinterland include savoury cheeses made from cow's and goat's milk, as well as excellent wines. One of the most popular drinks around Albenga is the dry white wine Pigato, which goes well with many dishes.

Best time to visit

The Ligurian coast is characterised by mild temperatures and comparatively little rain. Bathing guests as well as active holidaymakers and those interested in culture can expect dream weather here with around 300 days of sunshine a year. By May at the latest, temperatures rise to over 20 degrees Celsius, with July being the warmest month of the year at around 29 degrees Celsius.

The sea also heats up to a pleasant 20 to 23 degrees Celsius in summer, attracting children and adults alike. Even in September, swimmers and water sports enthusiasts still come here. At up to 21 degrees in October, a creamy cappuccino with a view of the Mediterranean tastes particularly good. Even in winter, temperatures only fall below freezing in extremely exceptional cases.