Sanremo, Italy (Things to Do + Complete Travel Guide)

Sanremo is one of those Italian Riviera towns that feels like it belongs in another era - in the best possible way. The grand casino, the palm-lined promenade, the medieval hilltop quarter, the flower markets. It's elegant and relaxed at the same time.

If you're doing a Ligurian sweep, Sanremo pairs perfectly with the Cinque Terre and Genoa - both are easy to add on from here.

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Jump To

• How Many Days in Sanremo?
• Things to Do in Sanremo
• Where to Eat in Sanremo
• 🌍 Sanremo Italy Map
• 👫🏽 Best Guided Tours
• 🇮🇹 Savoring Italy's Trip Planning Services
• ✈️ How to Get to Sanremo, Italy
• 🍴 Best Restaurants in Sanremo Italy
• Where to Stay in Sanremo
• 🏖️ Sanremo Italy Beaches
• 🚙 Day Trip Ideas from Sanremo
• ❓FAQs
• 🇮🇹 Explore More of Italy!

I came for the beaches and the Ligurian food and ended up completely charmed by the old town and the evening scene along the waterfront. It's the kind of place where you plan one night and book two more.

How Many Days in Sanremo?

Two to three days is ideal. One full day covers the main sights, but you want at least one evening for the aperitivo scene and a second day for the coastal bike path or a day trip to Dolceacqua.

Things to Do in Sanremo

1. Wander La Pigna at Golden Hour

The medieval hilltop quarter of Sanremo is one of the most atmospheric places on the Italian Riviera. Steep cobblestone lanes, ancient archways, laundry strung between buildings, and almost no tourists once you get above the main streets.

The best time to go is late afternoon when the light is golden and the heat has dropped. End with a drink at the top for the views over the city and sea. Explore La Pigna on TripAdvisor.

2. Sunset Drinks at Piazza Bresca

This is the move for aperitivo hour. Piazza Bresca is surrounded by orange trees, seafood restaurants, and bars that fill up with locals around 6pm. Grab an outdoor table, order a Ligurian white wine or a Negroni, and watch the square come alive.

Tipico Osteria and Marzio Bistrot are both excellent for food if you want to stay for dinner. See Piazza Bresca on TripAdvisor.

3. Ride the Pista Ciclabile Coastal Bike Path

One of the best things you can do in Sanremo, full stop. The coastal cycling path stretches from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare, running right along the water through tunnels and past small beach towns. It's flat, scenic, and completely car-free.

Rent bikes near the port and go as far as you want. Early morning is ideal for the light and the lack of crowds. See it on TripAdvisor.

4. Evening Stroll along Corso dell'Imperatrice

The grand palm-lined promenade is Sanremo's showpiece. Towering Washingtonia palms, a checkerboard path, sea views, and the slow parade of locals doing their evening passeggiata. It's free, it's beautiful, and it's best at dusk.

See on TripAdvisor.

5. Explore Bussana Vecchia

An entire medieval village destroyed by an earthquake in 1887 and then taken over by artists and bohemians in the 1960s. It's genuinely one of the strangest and most compelling places in Liguria.

Stone ruins turned into art studios, flower-filled courtyards, sculptures tucked into crumbling archways. Give yourself a couple of hours to wander. See on TripAdvisor.

6. Aperitivo at Corso Matteotti

Sanremo's main pedestrian shopping street transforms into a lively aperitivo spot in the early evening. The bars spill out onto the pavement, the music picks up, and the whole city seems to descend here around 6:30pm.

Order a glass of Pigato or Vermentino - both are local Ligurian whites that go perfectly with the seafood snacks most bars put out. See Corso Matteotti on TripAdvisor.

7. Take the Pasta & Basta Cooking Class

One of the most-loved experiences in Sanremo. Diego De Santis runs a hands-on 2.5-hour class where you make three kinds of pasta from scratch, paired with house sauces, and finish with a full three-course meal overlooking the sea.

Guests consistently say it's a highlight of their entire trip. Worth booking early - spots fill up fast. Book on TripAdvisor.

8. Visit the Santuario Madonna della Costa

A 14th-century sanctuary sitting above the city, reached by walking through La Pigna along a pebbled path lined with cypress trees. The interior is beautiful - rich art, an ornate dome, and a genuine sense of quiet devotion.

The views from outside are outstanding, and entry is free. See on TripAdvisor.

9. See the Russian Orthodox Church

One of the most unexpected sights in Sanremo - five onion domes rising above the palm trees, built for Russian aristocracy who wintered here in the late 19th century. It looks like it was lifted out of Moscow and dropped on the Italian Riviera.

Inside is beautifully calm and worth the short visit. See on TripAdvisor.

10. Go on a Vespa Tour

The best way to see the Riviera beyond the center. Il Rosso's self-guided Vespa tour gives you a Vespa, helmet, maps, and fuel, and lets you explore the coastal road and hill villages at your own pace.

You need to be at least 21 with a valid license and a 350 euro deposit. There may be a quick driving test before you head off. Book on TripAdvisor.

11. Try the Sanremo Food Tour

A three-hour walk through medieval lanes with a local guide, stopping at family-run delis, bakeries, and market stalls for tastings along the way. This is the fastest way to understand Ligurian food - focaccia, olives, pesto, sardines, local wines.

A genuinely good use of a morning. Book on TripAdvisor.

12. Take a Pizza Making Class

Nino and Peppe lead this class, but they also take you around the food market on mopeds before you start cooking - so it's more of a Sanremo experience than a straightforward cooking lesson. Guests love how lively and hands-on it is. Book on TripAdvisor.

13. Discover Villa Nobel

Alfred Nobel spent his final years in Sanremo and this is the house where he lived and worked. It's part museum, part historical curiosity - rooms that still feel lived-in, exhibits on his work with dynamite, and a surprisingly moving look at the man behind the Nobel Prize.

Often overlooked, and usually quiet when you visit. See on TripAdvisor.

14. Hike into the Mountains above Sanremo

The hills behind the city offer genuinely beautiful hiking - olive groves, ancient churches, panoramic ridgelines, and none of the crowds on the coast. Amici Bici Cycle Tours runs guided hikes from 3 to 8 hours including a packed lunch, suitable for ages 8 to 75.

Book on TripAdvisor.

15. Explore Valle Argentina

A hidden valley running inland from the Riviera, with medieval villages, old olive terraces, and quiet hiking trails. The beaches down at the coast here are rockier and much less crowded than Sanremo proper.

Worth half a day if you want to escape the heat and the tourist trail. See on TripAdvisor.

16) Embark on the Dolceacqua & The Nervia Valley tour

The Dolceacqua & Nervia Valley tour is a quick, 4-hour dive into Liguria's best. It limits groups to six. You get transfers, a walk in a medieval village, wine tasting, and a castle entry. It's culture, history, and food, all rolled into one. Perfect for those wanting a close-up experience.

Where to Eat in Sanremo

Morning: Grab a focaccia from any bakery in the old town - Ligurian focaccia is extraordinary and nothing like what you find elsewhere in Italy. Eat it standing at the counter with an espresso.

Vinotika: A wine bar with a French-Italian sensibility and a serious list of Ligurian and Piedmontese bottles. Great for a long evening of small plates and wine.

Ristorante Casa Buono: The chef has a Michelin background and it shows. Seasonal menu, outstanding seafood, and the kind of cooking that makes you rearrange your whole itinerary to come back.

Il Lupo Smoke and Grill: High-quality aged meats paired with excellent wine. The place to go if you want something other than seafood.

Bistrò 96: Relaxed, creative Italian cooking with excellent homemade pasta. Good value for the quality.

Mille806: A contemporary cocktail bar and restaurant in a 1930s-inspired space. Great for late evening drinks and Mediterranean small plates. The cocktails are inventive and worth ordering.

🌍 Sanremo Italy Map

👫🏽 Best Guided Tours

Seeing Sanremo and Italy with a local, trusted guide is a top-notch choice. They'll give you the best insights and some cool extras you probably couldn't snag on your own. Take a peek at our favorite guided tours of Sanremo below - we're pretty sure you're going to love them!

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✈️ How to Get to Sanremo, Italy

Here's a quick rundown on getting to and around Sanremo:

🍴 Best Restaurants in Sanremo Italy

Here are some awesome restaurants in Sanremo we absolutely loved visiting or came highly recommended by our Italian friends. Definitely give them a try!

Vinotika - A wine bar sanctuary where the vino flows as freely as the conversation. Think French-European elegance meets Italian hospitality.

Il Lupo Smoke and Grill Restaurant - Carnivorous dreams come alive with high-quality aged meats, perfectly paired with a fine wine selection.

Ristorante Casa Buono - A dive into the chef's Michelin heritage, offering a symphony of seasonal delights with standout seafood dishes.

Bistrò 96 - Where Italian cuisine gets a creative twist, featuring homemade breads, pasta masterpieces, and a relaxed dining vibe.

Mille806 - A contemporary haunt offering a meld of Mediterranean flavors, complemented by innovative cocktails in a 1930s-inspired setting.

Where to Stay in Sanremo

Stay in the center - near the promenade or a short walk from Piazza Bresca. The casino area and the seafront are the most convenient for getting to everything on foot.

Grand Hotel de Londres - Classic Italian Riviera elegance right on the seafront. Outdoor pool, Ligurian restaurant on site, and balcony rooms with Ligurian Sea views. A proper grand hotel experience.

👉 Book here

Royal Hotel Sanremo - The best luxury option in the city, close to the casino. Full spa, large pool, beach partnership in summer, and multiple restaurants including a romantic garden dining room. Marble bathrooms and sea views make this one special.

👉 Book here

Grand Hotel des Anglais - A historic hotel with Ligurian Sea views, two minutes from the beach and 1.3km from the Ariston Theatre. Free parking, elegant rooms, and a great central location.

👉 Book here

Best Western Hotel Nazionale - A well-located mid-range option right on the main shopping street, next to the casino. Rooftop terrace with hot tub and panoramic sea views. Good balance of value and location.

👉 Book here

Hotel Marinella - A boutique hotel on the marina, under five minutes' walk to the Teatro Ariston and 200 meters from the train station. Cozy rooms with all the essentials. A great mid-range choice if easy transport access matters to you.

👉 Book here

Hotel Sanremo - A relaxed beachfront option with free private parking, its own beach, and complimentary bikes. The rooms are simple and comfortable. A good budget-friendly pick if you're mainly there for the beach.👉 Book here

🏖️ Sanremo Italy Beaches

Sanremo sits on the Italian Riviera. It's known for its beaches. You like sand? They have it. Rocks? Those too. You can hit a public beach or drop big money at a resort. Here are Sanremo's best beaches:

• Spiaggia dei Porti is right in the heart of Sanremo, sandwiched between Porto Vecchio and Portosole. Super easy to get to, it's got everything you need like umbrella rentals and boats for a chill day by the water.
• Tre Ponti Beachis the go-to for a massive stretch of sand where everyone's welcome. It's decked out with showers, boats for rent, and a café to keep you cool and fed. Plus, it's right next to the bike path, so cyclists can easily pop over.
• Bagni Paradiso and Bagni Serenella are on the list too, each bringing its own vibe to the beach day experience. Though we're light on the details, travelers on Tripadvisor rave about them, so they're definitely worth checking out.
• Cala degli Orsi in Bussana Mare, just a hop from Sanremo, is a stunner. It's a breeze to reach by bike, sitting pretty along the scenic Riviera cycle path, and it's all public beach beauty.
• Arma di Taggia is a hit for families, packed with umbrellas, sunbeds, and pedal boats. There are also games to keep the kids busy while adults soak up some sun.
• Capo Verde is the spot for those who love a dramatic coastline, with cliffs and rocks framing the most gorgeous turquoise and crystal-clear waters for a dip that feels a bit more adventurous.

🚙 Day Trip Ideas from Sanremo

Sanremo, tucked away on the Italian Riviera, is a fantastic spot for setting out to explore the neighborhood. Check out these nearby cities for a day trip - each has its own cool vibe:

❓FAQs

Here are some of the top questions we often get about Sanremo, Italy, along with the answers you're looking for:

🇮🇹 Explore More of Italy!

Sanremo is only the beginning of Italy's awesome spots. Check out more cool places in the articles below. 'Buon Viaggio'!