Mercato Settimanale di Alassio
Every Wednesday morning the streets around Piazza della Libertà fill with one of the most authentic weekly markets on the western Riviera. Stalls selling Ligurian olive oil, fresh pesto, local cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, household linens and seasonal vegetables draw as many locals as tourists — a vivid, fragrant slice of everyday Italian life.
What's on the Stalls
The food section is the real draw: look for taggiasca olives sold loose from big plastic tubs, hand-labelled jars of artichoke hearts in oil, bunches of fresh basil big enough to make a litre of pesto, and wedges of local sheep's cheese. Several vendors sell directly from their own small farms in the hills above the town.
Non-food stalls sell everything from cheap sunglasses and beach towels to embroidered Ligurian tablecloths and leather sandals made to order. Prices are negotiable on most non-food items, especially if you're buying more than one thing.
How to Shop Like a Local
Arrive between 8 and 9 am for the best selection and to avoid the mid-morning crush. Bring a canvas bag, small denomination euro coins and a willingness to taste before you buy — most food vendors actively encourage sampling.
The market wraps up by 1 pm and stallholders begin dismantling quickly after midday. If you're after olive oil or pesto to take home, buy early; the best producers sell out fast. Ask vendors if they have produzione propria (own production) — it usually signals genuinely local goods.
After the Market
The cafés around Piazza della Libertà do a roaring trade in post-market espressos and cornetti. Sit outside, spread your haul on the table and plan the rest of the day — it's one of those small Italian pleasures that feels disproportionately satisfying.
The piazza itself is worth a look: flanked by the 17th-century Oratorio di Santa Caterina and shaded by mature plane trees, it's one of the quieter, more elegant corners of Alassio away from the beach crowds.
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