Villages & CultureFamily Friendly

Sanremo

City of flowers and Italy's music capital on the western Riviera

30 km from Airole

Sanremo is 30 km east of Airole, with around 54,000 inhabitants. The city owes its fame to three things: the mild climate that has attracted European aristocracy since the 19th century and sustains flower cultivation; the Liberty-style Casino of 1905 — successor to Italy's first legal gambling house, opened in Ospedaletti in 1884; and the Festival della Canzone Italiana, which since 1951 brings the Italian pop world here every February.

Belle Époque architecture defines much of the centre — more glamorous and urban than neighbouring Bordighera. Behind it, the old town "La Pigna" (the pine cone) climbs the hillside in concentric rings up to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa. Via Matteotti is the main promenade and shopping street. At the harbour, marina follows marina.

Highlights

La Pigna — medieval old town climbing to Madonna della Costa
Liberty-style Casino (1905) — successor to Italy's first casino
Festival della Canzone Italiana — every February since 1951
Via Matteotti and Mercato Annonario — promenade and covered market
Pista Ciclabile — over 24 km coastal cycle path on the old railway
Porto Vecchio and Portosole — two marinas on the waterfront

Directions

By car 30 km, about 30 minutes: from Airole via Ventimiglia onto the A10 (toll) or the coastal road SS1 Via Aurelia. By train: Airole → Ventimiglia (about 18 min), change → Sanremo (about 20 min). Sanremo station is underground, exit towards harbour and centre.

Parking

Multi-storey car parks around the harbour and Via Matteotti. During festival week, book well in advance.

Practical Information

Along the harbour and promenade mostly touristy. Better to head into the side streets or up into La Pigna. The Ligurian cuisine of the Ponente is at home here — regional specialities are described under Ventimiglia. Mercato Annonario covered market in the morning for fresh produce.

Best Time to Visit

Mild all year. In February the music festival — exciting but crowded and expensive. Spring for blossom, summer for beach and marina, autumn quiet and mild. In December, Christmas lights in the old town.

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Plan Route