Sanremo rises from the Ligurian Sea to La Pigna’s stepped lanes. Via Matteotti, the Ariston theatre and the harbour are the practical centre. For the beaches and the cycle path on the old railway line, stay along the shore.
La Pigna is the old town on the slope above Piazza Eroi Sanremesi. Its narrow passages and stairs lead toward the Madonna della Costa sanctuary. Below, Via Matteotti runs past the Teatro Ariston and shops toward the casino. From a hotel in these central blocks, restaurants and the bus station are close, though festival events can crowd the streets.
West of the casino, Corso Imperatrice follows the waterfront toward the Foce district and its beaches. Stay there for a sea-facing room and walks beside the palms. The Ariston and the station are farther than from the centre. To the east, the San Martino side has Portosole marina, Villa Nobel and Villa Ormond. The shore route is flatter than the lanes climbing into La Pigna.
The coastal cycle path follows the old rail alignment through Sanremo, west to Ospedaletti and east toward San Lorenzo al Mare. Ride it, and walk the old town, in spring or autumn, when the weather is comfortable. Summer brings beach weather. When the Italian Song Festival is on, crowds pack the Ariston and Via Matteotti.
Sanremo station is east of the core on Corso Cavallotti. Its platforms are reached through a long underground passage, so allow extra time with luggage. Trains run along the Riviera toward Ventimiglia and Genoa. To reach Nice by rail, you normally change at Ventimiglia. The nearest major airport is Nice Côte d’Azur, across the French border.