Where are we?
On the sun-drenched Ligurian coast, between Genoa and Nice. Alassio is a town of just over 11,000 residents and a place that locals cherish for one rare feature: a three-mile stretch of fine, golden sand – a true rarity along the mostly rocky Riviera.
Nestled right in the front row, with sweeping views of the Mediterranean we found Casa d’Artista. A house that feels like a film set.
From the moment you step inside, it’s clear: this is no ordinary place to stay. Original wallpapers and carpets, shelves brimming with books, vibrant paintings soaked in memory, travel mementos, vintage photo albums. Every corner is a tribute to taste and time. A 1950s armchair sits beside an oriental elephant figurine; an oil lamp rests under a portrait of Maria Teresa Preve, the artist who once lived here. Preve left her mark on this house for decades – with her art, her spirit and her attention to detail. Now, her daughter Emanuela and granddaughters Virginia and Eugenia have opened the doors to guests – a wonderful memorial to their mother and grandmother.
But the real treat of the house is the vibe. Personal, cultivated, lovingly curated – and never pretentious. Guests are welcomed like old friends by the host family, who readily share stories about the artist and offer insider tips: the best pistachio gelato, a secret cove for swimming, a hidden hiking trail with panoramic views.
The house
Casa d’Artista has history in its walls. The oldest part of the building dates back to the 1500s, with an 18th-century extension adding elegance and space. The guest quarters occupy the Piano Nobile – the noble floor – complete with Ligurian terracotta tiles, creaking parquet floors, and vaulted ceilings. Everything is bathed in soft light, and the charm of the past lingers in the air.
One endearing detail: the grandfather’s pipe collection, a quiet homage to the other artist in the house – Maria Teresa’s husband. There are board games for the rare rainy afternoon, and a small reading room that feels more reflective than any library.
The rooms
Even the rooms have names like chapters in a novel: The first one is A Ballad of the Salty Sea. Named after Hugo Pratt’s comic, this room faces the waves. Nautical details, striped wallpaper, and the salty breeze create a mini-mirror of Liguria. The bathroom? Tiled in soft shades of violet, with a picture window framing the sea.
Then there is A Thousand and One Nights. Overlooking Alassio’s historic center, this suite sleeps up to four. Two rooms, a marble-clad bathroom, and opulent wallpaper conjure the feel of a fairy tale pulled from an oriental manuscript.
And The Green Light. Also with a sea view, this room is understated and serene. A cozy reading nook and a bed angled toward the horizon make it a quiet refuge for daydreamers and wanderers.
The breakfast
Breakfast here is a ritual. A curated picnic basket arrives at your door, filled with fresh pastries, cheese, yogurt, juice, tea, and coffee – all local, all handmade, all lovingly arranged. In warm months, take it out on the terrace and watch the promenade slowly come to life. It’s elegance, Italian-style: simple, subtle, unforgettable.
Beach
Step out the front door and you’re on the sand. Alassio’s beach is dotted with seaside clubs offering sun loungers and umbrellas, with plenty of restaurants and bars nearby for lunch or a sunset dinner.
The region
Alassio exudes quiet charm. The Anglican church, the English library, the Hanbury Tennis Club, and the old English cemetery all hint at its cosmopolitan past.
And beyond the town lies untamed nature. Hills rise steeply behind Alassio, crisscrossed by hiking trails with poetic names: Via Julia Augusta (lined with Roman ruins), Rosemary Path, and the Wave Trail. These aren’t just walks – they’re journeys into the soul of the land.
A must-see? Colla Micheri, a hilltop village that feels frozen in time. Reach it via a gentle climb, and you’ll find Cascina Praiè, where Sunday brunch and vineyard aperitivos come with sweeping sea views – and a Michelin Green Star to boot.
Prefer something more cinematic? Stroll along the beach to Laigueglia, a quaint fishing village that looks lifted from an Italian film of the 1960s.
getting there
Alassio is easily accessible by train – it sits on the Genoa – Ventimiglia line. The nearest airports are Genoa (1 hour) and Nice (1 hour 40 minutes).
rates
Low season: around €150 per night. High season: closer to €300. Breakfast is always included.
Kids & Dogs
Are welcome. The Preve family themself has two dogs and while travelling the world, they’ve always been grateful to the places that welcomed them kindly. Offering this service is also. a way to give back.
Booking & Contacts
Casa d’ Artista Alassio
Via Cristoforo Colombo 84
17021 Alassio (SV)
Italy
