Alassio, Italy

Capital City

Living costs on the Italian Riviera aren't for the faint-hearted, but this compact coastal town 50 miles from France offers a straightforward Mediterranean lifestyle for its 10,059 residents. The centerpiece is a pedestrianized cobblestone thoroughfare called the Budello, which serves as the town's commercial backbone.

The practical appeal lies in its dual-season utility - it functions as both a winter health resort and summer beach destination, with a small tourist port named after Luca Ferrari anchoring the maritime activities. The seafront is lined with restaurants and bars, while the signature Muretto di Alassio wall, covered in ceramic tiles bearing notable signatures, has become an unlikely tourist draw. The town has garnered attention from various artists over the decades, including American painters Helen Frankenthaler and Robert Motherwell who worked here in 1960, though today it's primarily known for its straightforward beach tourism and health services.