Essential Sanremo Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Sanremo, also spelled San Remo, is a distinctive coastal city on Liguria’s Riviera dei Fiori, or Riviera of Flowers. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and the hills near the French border, it combines a mild seaside atmosphere with a long-standing horticultural tradition. Greenhouses fill the surrounding countryside, and Sanremo’s flowers have been associated with major international celebrations, including the Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm.

Explore Sanremo’s Waterfront

Sanremo’s waterfront reflects the city’s relaxed modern character. Porto Vecchio and the Portosole marina offer pleasant coastal views, while the former railway route has been transformed into the Ponente Ligure cycle path.

Stretching for around 20 kilometers between San Lorenzo al Mare and Ospedaletti, the cycle path provides an easy way to enjoy the coastline, beaches, and nearby settlements without the noise of passing trains.

Visit Villa Nobel

One of Sanremo’s cultural highlights is Villa Nobel, the former residence of Alfred Nobel. The house preserves aspects of his life and scientific work, including the laboratory where he continued experimenting.

Its connection with the inventor and founder of the Nobel Prize gives Sanremo an unusual intellectual dimension alongside its identity as a seaside resort.

Discover La Pigna, Sanremo’s Medieval Old Town

For many travelers, one of the most memorable places to see in Sanremo is La Pigna, the city’s historic medieval quarter. The district can be entered through historic gates such as Porta di Santo Stefano and winds up the hill through tightly packed lanes resembling the scales of a pine cone.

Stone walls, shaded passages, small shops, and remnants of defensive architecture reflect a settlement shaped by invasion and rivalry. Exploring La Pigna offers a different perspective on Sanremo, away from the modern waterfront and coastal atmosphere.

Why Visit Sanremo?

A Sanremo travel itinerary is not complete without experiencing both its flower-filled coast and its atmospheric old town. The waterfront, Ponente Ligure cycle path, Villa Nobel, and medieval streets of La Pigna reveal the city’s varied character: elegant, historic, and distinctly Ligurian.