Baba Beach: A Luxury Terrace Facing the Island Where a Saint Once Hid

Italy | Liguria | Savona | Riviera delle Palme

The small hump-shaped island visible from Baba Beach’s terraces carries a genuinely surprising story. Between roughly 356 and 360 AD, a young man named Martin, fleeing persecution in Milan for his Christian faith, chose Gallinara as a place to live in solitude as a hermit, years before he would become Bishop of Tours and, eventually, one of the most widely venerated saints in the Western church. A cave on the island’s western side still bears his name, and archaeologists have found evidence there dating the site to religious use from at least the fourth century onward. I found myself looking at that small, isolated shape on the horizon rather differently after learning this, a future saint’s brief refuge sitting directly in view of a beach club now devoted to considerably more indulgent pursuits.

Baba Beach occupies the cliffside stretch between Alassio and Albenga, and it has built its reputation on combining genuine luxury with an equally serious commitment to welcoming dogs, treating both pursuits as entirely compatible rather than in tension.

Translucent Water Facing Gallinara Island

The water here runs a crystal-clear turquoise that I found genuinely comparable to warmer, more tropical seas, protected partially by the surrounding coastal topography into a calm bay ideal for floating or wading over a gently sloping seabed. The shore blends fine, light-beige sand with smooth, sun-warmed pebbles near the waterline, and I spent a good stretch of one afternoon simply watching small silver fish move across the sand below, entirely unbothered by the activity above them.

Three Zones: Family, Adults-Only, and Dog-Friendly Terraces

What sets Baba Beach apart structurally is its deliberate division into three distinct areas, a dedicated family section, a quiet adults-only zone, and the dog-friendly terraces that give the beach its name. I found this zoning genuinely effective at preserving a calm atmosphere throughout, rather than the more common approach of simply allowing everyone to mix and hoping for the best. Dog-friendly stations include a standard human lounger paired with a custom pet sunbed, fresh water, and a small welcome kit, while dedicated doggy showers, stocked with pet-safe grooming products, sit alongside the standard freshwater rinse cabins.

A Family Section Built for Well-Behaved Kids Who Love the Water

Given the club’s generally refined, relaxed atmosphere, I’d flag this specifically for families with children who genuinely enjoy swimming and nature rather than expecting playgrounds or water slides. The calm, undercurrent-free conditions make it a secure environment for older children to swim or try paddleboarding under staff supervision, and the soft sand offers plenty of room for younger kids to search for interesting stones along the tideline, but this isn’t the beach for a rowdy, high-energy family day.

Lifeguards, Kayaking, and Snorkeling Among the Rocks

Professional lifeguards monitor the water from dedicated towers throughout the day, and I found the surrounding rock formations, visible clearly from a kayak, host a genuinely active marine habitat worth exploring with a snorkel mask. The “Baba Paws Privé” option offers elevated wood-decked terraces shielded by natural greenery for anyone wanting more privacy alongside their dog, a detail that struck me as a genuinely thoughtful extension of the club’s overall design philosophy.

Seafood Pasta and 3D-Printed Plant-Based Meat

The on-site restaurant serves classic Riviera seafood pasta alongside a surprisingly forward-thinking eco-conscious menu, including 3D-printed, plant-based meat options for vegan guests, a detail I hadn’t expected from a beach club this focused on traditional luxury. Through the afternoon, dedicated umbrella service delivered chilled Vermentino and fresh fruit directly to my lounger, and as evening approached, the terraces filled for a proper Italian aperitivo against a genuinely striking pink sunset.

Getting There: The Coastal Road Between Alassio and Albenga

Baba Beach sits along the SS1 Via Aurelia, and reaching it from either Alassio or Albenga means following the scenic coastal road until the resort’s entrance flags come into view. I found the drive itself part of the appeal, winding curves opening onto steady sea views the whole way.

Reserved Parking and Advance Booking

Private paid parking lots serve the property directly, and I found booking both a parking space and a beach station online in advance essential, since walk-up availability during peak season was limited enough that arriving without a reservation risked disappointment.

Train to Alassio or Albenga, Then the Coastal Bus

Regional trains connect to either Alassio or Albenga station, and from there TPL Linea Bus Route 40 stops within a short stroll of the property. I used this combination once and found the connection reliable enough not to require much planning beyond checking the schedule ahead of time.

The Underpass Route Directly Onto the Sand

A dedicated pedestrian stairway underpass connects the roadside and nearby residential complex directly to the beach, avoiding any need to cross traffic, a detail I appreciated given how busy the coastal road gets during summer.

Comparing Baba Beach to Other Ponente Riviera Beaches

Further along this same stretch of Ligurian coast, Baia Salata Borgo Prino Imperia Italy offers a considerably more understated, unorganized alternative, useful context for anyone comparing Baba Beach’s polished luxury against a rawer stretch of the Riviera delle Palme. Bassamarea Beach San Bartolomeo Al Mare Italy similarly trades Baba Beach’s elite zoning system for a simpler, more traditional beach day further west along the coast.

Watching Gallinara Disappear Into the Evening Haze

By the time I left on my last evening, Gallinara Island had faded into a soft silhouette against a darkening sky, the same shape that once offered shelter to a frightened young man who had no idea he’d eventually become one of Christianity’s most recognized saints, now watching over sunbeds, dogs curled up beside their owners, and a kitchen busy plating the evening’s aperitivo spread.