Albenga and its hinterland are not only a paradise for road cyclists and triathletes, but also offer challenging mountain biking, trekking and trail running trails and spectacular scenic walks, not to forget the 18-hole Golf Club of Garlenda just 10 km from Albenga.
Here we would just like to mention our favourite walk, which is also suitable for non-sports enthusiasts, namely the scenic historical route of the Via Iulia Augusta that leads from Albenga to Alassio.
The Albenga coastline is almost a kilometre and a half long and has both free and equipped beaches. From Vico Navone, the seafront can be reached on foot in about ten minutes.
A regional nature reserve since 1989, the island, named after the wild hens that populated it in Roman times, is not accessible to tourists in order to preserve the integrity of its precious, unspoilt environment. However, there are numerous private companies that organise daily boat trips in the summer months, with circumnavigation of the island and the accompaniment of a tour guide, or sailing tours. Scuba diving accompanied by local guides from affiliated diving centres is also permitted. It should be noted that the sighting of whales and dolphins in the waters between Albenga beach and the island is not uncommon and it may happen to encounter some during the tour. For more information on Gallinara.
Not to be missed, according to their seasonality, are the famous "4 of Albenga": the trombetta courgette, the Albenga violet asparagus, a slow food presidium, the spiny artichoke and the beef heart tomato. But also the prized Taggiasca extra virgin olive oils (the Sommariva "Oil Civilization Museum" a few steps from Vico Navone is worth a visit) and the Pigato wine typical of the Albenga Plain.
Farinata di ceci, a chickpea specialty, excellent at "da Puppo", in Via Torlaro, also a few steps from Vico Navone, cima, an old traditional dish consisting of a veal pocket stuffed with vegetables, meat and cheese, sewn with needle and thread, stuffed vegetables (courgettes, aubergines, peppers, onions), trenette al pesto, potato and green bean pie and the famous Pasqualina, a savoury pie stuffed with swiss chard or artichokes and ricotta, parmesan and eggs. Then there is codfish made in a thousand ways, borage ravioli and those made with ‘U tuccu'.
For this we refer you directly here.
Also worth discovering is the hinterland of Albenga with its centuries-old olive trees, vineyards and medieval villages, in particular Zuccarello, and Nasino. Not to be missed is the Rainer Kriester Museum Park in Castellaro, a hamlet of Vendone. On a hill overlooking the sea the open-air museum houses more than 35 sculptures by the German artist who died in 2002 and attracts visitors from all over the world. Finally, a walk in the Piana di Albenga to discover the cultivation of pot plants (aromatic herbs, daisies, cyclamens, poinsettias, chrysanthemums, lantanas, hydrangeas, roses, geraniums).