Sanremo is a real town of more than 50,000 people, with every kind of place to stay: grand historic hotels on the seafront, mid-range hotels, B&Bs and apartments. For a first visit the best area is the centre, between the Casino, Corso Matteotti and the Corso Imperatrice promenade: you can walk everywhere and the sea is close. For a quieter stay pick the western seafront; for the marina, the eastern beaches and the cycle path, look towards Portosole. During the Song Festival in February, book months ahead.
- First visit: the centre, between the Casino, Corso Matteotti and Corso Imperatrice
- Quieter: the western seafront, next to the cycle path
- Marina and eastern beaches: the Portosole area, towards Tre Ponti
- Character: La Pigna, the medieval quarter, if you don’t mind steps
- Festival 2027: 16 to 20 February; central hotels sell out early
- Car: handy for the hinterland, but the centre is a limited traffic zone and parking is paid
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The centre: Casino, Corso Matteotti and the Ariston
The heart of Sanremo is the triangle between the Art Nouveau Casino, Corso Matteotti and the sea. Corso Matteotti is the pedestrian shopping street and home to the Ariston theatre; around it are Piazza Colombo, Piazza San Siro with the cathedral, and the market. This is the most practical area if you arrive without a car: restaurants, shops, the promenade and the beaches are all within walking distance.
The downsides: it’s the noisiest part of town and, during the Festival and big events, the most crowded and expensive. The main streets are a limited traffic zone (ZTL) with camera gates, so if you drive, ask your hotel where to unload and park. The covered Palafiori car park is one minute from the Ariston.
La Pigna: sleeping in the medieval quarter
Behind the centre rises La Pigna, the medieval core: a maze of lanes, arches, stairways and covered passages climbing up to the Regina Elena gardens and the Madonna della Costa sanctuary. Staying here feels different: quiet evenings, views over the rooftops, the town at your feet.
Check access carefully before you book. Most of La Pigna can’t be reached by car and you’ll carry your luggage up steps and slopes. It’s not the right choice with small children, pushchairs or limited mobility.
Western seafront: the quiet side
West of the Casino runs Corso Imperatrice, the palm-lined promenade named after the Russian empress Maria Alexandrovna, who donated the palms, with flowerbeds, statues and historic hotels. Further towards Ventimiglia the area becomes more residential and calm, with the cycle and walking path on the old railway line and the Imperatrice beach, a Blue Flag stretch in 2026.
It suits families and couples who want seaside walks and bike rides, and the centre is still a stroll away. Since summer 2026 Pian di Poma also has the new Green Park motorhome area with 96 pitches.
East side: Portosole, the station and Tre Ponti
East of the centre you’ll find the Portosole marina, Corso Cavallotti with Villa Nobel and Villa Ormond, and the entrance to the railway station. Further along the cycle path is the long pebble beach of Tre Ponti, then Bussana. This area works well if you travel by train, want the eastern beaches (Tre Ponti, Baia Capo Pino, Tiro a Volo and Bussana all have the 2026 Blue Flag) or plan evenings around the harbour.
A note on the station: the tracks are underground, and from the Corso Cavallotti entrance you reach them through a corridor of about 700 metres with moving walkways. Allow around 10 extra minutes.
Recommended places to stay in Sanremo
Hotel ★★★★
Hotel De Paris Sanremo
Sanremo
Fabulous
Hotel De Paris is located near the Russian Church and a few minutes from the city center. Spacious and elegant, rooms at Hotel De Paris come with wooden floors, white…
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Residence Dei Due Porti
Sanremo
Excellent
Located in the center of Sanremo, Residence Dei Due Porti offers a sun terrace overlooking the sea. Due Porti Residence studios and apartments feature free WiFi, air conditioning and satellite…
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Sanremo Luxury Suites
Sanremo
Fabulous
Located in a splendid position, facing the beach, the Sanremo Luxury Suites offers comfortable accommodation at affordable prices in a peaceful and quiet environment. Free WiFi is available throughout the…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★
Best Western Hotel Nazionale
Sanremo
Optimal
Located near the Sanremo Casino, on the most famous shopping street of the city, the Best Western Hotel Nazionale features a rooftop terrace with a mini swimming pool with hydromassage…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★
Lolli Palace Hotel
Sanremo
Optimal
Surrounded by the huge palm trees of Sanremo's famous Lungomare Imperatrice, Lolli Palace Hotel offers free WiFi. At your disposal you will appreciate the well-equipped gym, and a lounge bar…
Check availabilityFestival and events: when to book early
Festival week is the hardest time to find a room: in 2027 the Sanremo Song Festival runs from 16 to 20 February. Central hotels fill up months ahead with TV crews, journalists and fans. Book as soon as you can, or stay in a nearby town on the railway. See our guide to the Sanremo Festival.
Other busy times: late March with the Milan–San Remo cycle race and Sanremo in Fiore, the October rally, summer and Italian bank holidays. From November to March, outside events, there’s more choice and the climate is mild, with January averages above 10°C.
Car, parking and trains
- Car: A10 motorway, Sanremo exit. The centre has a ZTL with camera gates (Via Matteotti, Piazza San Siro and other streets). Blue-line parking is paid Monday to Saturday, with a higher rate for non-residents since June 2026. Details in our guide to parking in Sanremo.
- Train: direct trains to Ventimiglia (12–23 minutes), Genoa (about 2 hours) and Intercity trains to Milan (3.5–4 hours). For Nice you usually change at Ventimiglia.
- Nice airport: about 65 km, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes by car via the A8 and A10.
- By bike: the cycle path crosses the whole town and, since summer 2026, runs for almost 48 km between Ospedaletti and Andora.
Staying nearby
If Sanremo is full or you’d rather stay somewhere smaller, the alternatives are close:
- Bordighera: a few minutes west by train, smaller, with its old town and the Lungomare Argentina. Read where to stay in Bordighera.
- Ventimiglia: the last town before France, with the Friday market and trains to Nice and Monaco.
- Arma di Taggia: to the east, with sandy beaches, its own A10 exit, 4–8 minutes by train from Sanremo and the cycle path into town.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Sanremo?
For a first visit, the centre between the Casino, Corso Matteotti and Corso Imperatrice: you can walk everywhere. The western seafront is quieter; the Portosole area is handy for the station, the marina and the eastern beaches.
Where to stay during the Sanremo Festival?
In the centre near the Ariston, booking many months ahead. Otherwise in Bordighera, Ventimiglia or Arma di Taggia, linked to Sanremo by train or bus.
Do I need a car in Sanremo?
Not if you stay in town: the centre is walkable and trains run along the coast. A car helps for the hinterland, but the centre is a limited traffic zone and parking is paid almost everywhere.
How far is Sanremo from Nice airport?
About 65 km, roughly an hour by car. By train you go to Nice Ville and usually change at Ventimiglia; the trip takes about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 45.
How far is the station from the centre?
The entrance is on Corso Cavallotti, just east of the centre, but the platforms are underground: there are about 700 metres of corridor between the entrance and the trains, roughly 10 minutes on foot.