Il Budello — Alassio's Caruggio
Stretching nearly a kilometre through the old town parallel to the seafront, the Budello is Alassio's legendary narrow caruggio — a single pedestrian alley so long and lively it has earned its own nickname. Lined with boutiques, focaccerie, wine bars and ceramic shops, it is the beating commercial and social heart of the town.
A Street Like No Other
The Budello (officially Via Cavour and its extensions) is barely wide enough for three people to walk abreast, yet it manages to pack in artisan bakeries, jewellers, surf shops, linen boutiques and some of the best focaccerie on the coast. The buildings on either side are painted in the warm ochres and terracottas typical of Ligurian architecture.
The alley runs from Piazza Matteotti in the west to the old town gate near the eastern marina, and at almost every step there is something to taste, buy or photograph. Plan at least 90 minutes to do it justice without rushing.
What to Buy and Eat
Stop at one of the traditional focaccerie for a slab of focaccio col formaggio (cheese-stuffed flatbread) fresh from the oven — it costs around €2–3 and is best eaten standing at the counter. Several shops also sell locally produced basil pesto, Ligurian olive oil and Riviera wines to take home.
Ceramic shops sell hand-painted tiles in the same style as those on the Muretto — a far more personal souvenir than a fridge magnet. Prices start at around €8 for a small tile and rise steeply for larger decorative pieces.
Evening Atmosphere
After 6 pm the Budello shifts gear: aperitivo bars push tables into the lane, string lights flicker on and the smell of grilled fish drifts from restaurant kitchens. It becomes one of the most atmospheric evening strolls on the entire Ligurian coast.
Locals and tourists mix easily here in a way that doesn't always happen in more famous Riviera towns. Pull up a stool at Bar Roma or one of the unnamed wine bars, order a glass of Pigato (the local white) and watch the world squeeze past.
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