Places to Visit in Sanremo…
Blending blooming parks, artistic treasures, and the deep blue sea, Sanremo is the perfect synthesis of culture, leisure, and the Mediterranean lifestyle. Let yourself relax on its fine sandy beaches and savor the authentic flavors of its bars and restaurants, before venturing into the secrets of the historic center or enjoying its renowned sports facilities and sailing clubs. Here, every corner tells a story of hospitality and well-being.
During the week of the Italian Song Festival, the streets vibrate with an infectious, glamorous energy, bustling with visitors and fans eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite artists. The city unveils its most glittering soul, transforming into an exclusive open-air lounge where tourists from all over the world blend into the excitement and elegance of the event.
Celebrated worldwide for its extraordinarily mild, temperate, and sunny climate - a unique microclimate that made it a favored destination for the British elite - Sanremo is also a perfect transport hub. Well-connected to the international airports of Nice, Turin, and Milan, it offers maximum convenience for those traveling by train: the railway station is located right in the city center, and its integrated moving walkways bridge all distances, allowing you to easily move on foot, hassle-free and without needing public transport.
Pigna
and the Historic Center
La Pigna is the ancient medieval heart of Sanremo, perched on a hill around the year 1000 in the shape of a pinecone (pigna) to defend against Saracen pirates. Access begins from Piazza Cassini through the 14th-century Porta di Santo Stefano. From here, the covered passage of the Rivolte di San Sebastiano leads to Piazza dei Dolori, the starting point of a dense labyrinth of narrow alleyways, arches, and steep climbs. It is a perfect route for urban trekking lovers looking for glimpses frozen in time.
Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa
At the peak of La Pigna, the Regina Elena Gardens offer terraces and stairways with a unique view over the rooftops of Sanremo and the sea. Created in 1754 on the ruins of a Genoese castle, they lead to the nearby Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa, a city symbol built according to tradition to celebrate the liberation from the feudal yoke of the Doria family.
Via Matteotti:
The Pedestrian Shopping Street
Since the Belle Époque, Via Matteotti has been the beating heart of shopping and city life in Sanremo. This elegant pedestrian street houses the finest fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, cafés, and venues. Beyond shopping, the street safeguards the soul of the Festival: here you will find the historic Cinema Centrale and the famous Ariston Theatre, the starting point of the walk of fame featuring plaques of the festival's winners (from 1951 to the present day) and the famous statue of Mike Bongiorno.
Passeggiata dell’Imperatrice
The Passeggiata dell’Imperatrice (Empress Promenade) is a splendid seafront boulevard born thanks to Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, who in 1874 gifted the majestic palm trees that still line it today. The avenue, overlooking the beaches, ends in a garden that houses two historic sculptures: Pasquali’s statue of Primavera (the city's symbol) and Bistolfi’s monument to Garibaldi.
Co-Cathedral of San Siro
The Cathedral of San Siro Siro (12th century) is the oldest place of worship in Sanremo. Its Romanesque-Gothic facade features a striking large rose window and an ogival portal, while the solemn interior safeguards a precious 15th-century black crucifix. Standing tall next to it is the 13th-century bell tower, rebuilt after the war.
The Russian Church
With its golden bulbous domes, the Russian Church (1913) creates a fascinating Byzantine contrast just steps from the sea. Built for the Russian aristocracy who followed Empress Maria Alexandrovna to Sanremo, it is still an active place of worship today. The interior remained unfinished after the 1917 revolution, but the crypt holds the royal tombs of Montenegro.
Forte di Santa Tecla
di santa tecla
Walking towards Porto Vecchio (the Old Harbor), you will come across the Forte di Santa Tecla, an imposing triangular fortress. It was built by the Genoese in 1756 in just 11 months with a clear objective: to monitor the city and suppress its proud independence uprisings against the Republic.
Civic Museum of Sanremo
di sanremo
Housed in the prestigious Palazzo Borea d’Olmo, the Museo Civico Sanremo is split into three sections: archaeologicalgical, with artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic to the Roman era; artistic (Art Gallery), spanning from the 17th century to contemporary art including local and international creators (such as Edward Lear and Antonio Rubino); and historical, which safeguards a precious collection of Garibaldi memorabilia inside the charming Stucco Room.
Villa Nobel and Villa Ormond Gardens
On Corso Cavallotti, a stone's throw from the sea, lie two must-see parks. Villa Nobel, the final residence of scientist Alfred Nobel, which now hosts a museum dedicated to him, offers enchanting gardens with free admission. Just 200 meters away is the park of Villa Ormond, a magnificent botanical haven rich in exotic plants, ideal for strolling and relaxing in nature.
mercato annonario
The Mercato Annonario (Food Market) (built in the 1950s) is much more than an indoor market: it is the temple of farm-to-table local specialties. Here, small-scale producers offer the best of Ligurian tradition every day, from crispy sardenaira to fresh pesto and excellent olive oil.
Sanremo Casino
Housed in an elegant Art Nouveau building, the Sanremo Casino Casino is one of Italy's four historic casinos, open daily to adults. From its entrance, your eyes meet the domes of the nearby Russian Orthodox Church (1913). This city symbol was born thanks to the strong presence of the Russian aristocracy in the early 20th century, inspired by Empress Maria Alexandrovna’s love for the city.
Ariston Theatre
Normally functioning as a cinema and theatre, the Ariston is famous throughout Italy for hosting the Sanremo Music Festival since 1977. The historic event, born in 1951 at the Municipal Casino, moved permanently here, with the sole exception of 1990 (when it was held at the Flower Market to allow for restoration and expansion works on the theatre).
Getting Around
How to move around Sanremo
Having Fun
Leisure, entertainment, and sports
Tasting
Savoring Ligurian specialties
… and Surroundings
Beyond discovering local wonders, Sanremo is the perfect home base for exploring the most beautiful towns on the Ligurian Riviera and venturing across the border, reaching the splendid French Riviera and France in no time.
The Cities
Imperia Porto Maurizio: Borgo Prino, Borgo Foce, and Borgo Marina. Perched above is Borgo Parasio, historic and picturesque. Imperia Oneglia for shopping and harbor-side restaurants. Bordighera and Villa Regina Margherita. Ventimiglia: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, San Michele Arcangelo, Fort San Paolo, Castel d’Appio, and the Annunziata Fortress.
The Historic Villages
Apricale, Seborga, Dolceacqua, and the village of Bussana Vecchia , a settlement revived by artists that can only be reached on foot.
France
Mentone and Monaco (Montecarlo), Nizza and Cannes.
For further information and suggestions, please visit the website
https://www.sanremoliveandlove.it/