A weekend in Sanremo, Italy: a short guide

I just love French Riviera. But, if I want the perfect espresso, I start looking for a road to the Italy Riviera. And there is no better place to discover it than in Sanremo, the city with all you can want: a celebrity star alley, the cool beaches, the amazing parks, the beautiful architecture and, of course, the food. And the espresso. 🙂 Therefore, say it out loud: “Que Sera, Sera” and start discovering one of the loveliest towns on Italian Riviera. What to do in Sanremo, Italy: a weekend, a short guide.

Were to wake up in the morning? Well, the nicest hotels here are (from my point of view) – Villa Levi (a historical villa from 1905 transformed into hotel), with a splendid garden and an amazing view over the gulf. Or, bigger and with a pool, Miramare The Palace Resort. Breakfast and the espresso are important, so every little cafe on the corner is perfect for coffee and a croissant or a panino but my favorite is Basilico e Pinoli (@basilicoepinoli_sanremo). Or, if you wanna sip your espresso on the beach, put on the map Bagni Stella. 

Where to spend your morning? Take a stroll on the promenade to the city center. Next to the beach there is a long an beautiful bicycle route. The bike path of the Riviera dei Fiori Coastal Park is, actually, a straight line of 24 kilometers overlooking the sea that from San Lorenzo al Mare leads to Ospedaletti. In the city center go see the Ariston theatre (yep, this one hosting San Remo Music Festival in via Giacomo Matteotti, since 1977) and the famous singer star alley). From here, take a walk on the narrow beautiful streets, admire the architecture and the famous Sanremo Casino (the building was designed by French architect Eugène Ferret, opening in 1905). For those passionate about history: Fort of Santa Tecla is a nice thing to put on the agenda (inaugurated in 1756, to repress the feelings of independence of the city against the Republic of Genoa). For those who want to feel the true spirit of the city: Mercato Annonario (designed in the mid-1950s, it’s much more than a covered market – from sardenaira, a crunchy pizza, to pesto and olive oil). 

Where to go for lunch? The local food here is amazing – the Ligurian specialities include focaccia Genovese, farinata & panissa, pansoti (triangle-shaped ravioli filled with wild meadow herbs and curd cheese) and corzetti pasta. And of course, the tiramisu. To eat: Ipazia Cibi e Libri (a charming little restaurante where you can eat surrounded by beautiful books). Then, Baccarà “Bistrot bello” for the fresh fish. And Soul Cucina & Cantina for the interior decor, the pasta and the Instagramable and delicious tiramisu. 

Where to stroll in the afternoon? Do you know that there is a Nobel… Villa in Sanremo? Villa Nobel was the residence here of Alfred Nobel, creator of the famous Prize. He called her “my nest”, and here he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to his activity as a chemist. Today it houses a museum, where the environments where Nobel lived were reconstructed, and is available for events. Not to miss the lovely gardens, which can be accessed free of charge. Just 200 meters from Villa Nobel, also in Corso Felice Cavallotti, there is also the Villa Ormond park, another jewel of the Ligurian city. Walk through stunning botanical gardens filled with exotic palms and vibrant flowers.

Where to stop in the evening: at Bar Merlo (@bar_merlo) – lost in narrow streets of the old city, with a nice vine and good cocktails. The other good place for the evening is Mille806 (@mille806_sanremo). If you want several places to choose, go by the seaside, to the port. There you will find an entire square filled with bars and restaurants that invite everyone for an aperitivo. An unexpected (and traditional experience): in Sanremo’s Porto Vecchio (old port), you can buy a traditional paper cone (cuoppo) of fresh, hot fried seafood (fritto misto) cooked on-site directly from local fishing boats – put on map Solo la Lisca. 

A trip away from the city. My favorite destination: Bussana Vecchia, a village populated by artists with a unique history. Heavily damaged by the earthquake of 1887, the small town was abandoned by its inhabitants, so much so that for several years it was called a ghost town. In the 60s then the rebirth, thanks to a group of artisans and artists who decided to move here, faithful to the hippy spirit. Then, Ospedaletti – the rich residences of Italian Riviera with elegant houses and posh beaches. (And, of course, the French Riviera is not so far – Monte Carlo, Nice or Menton)

Photography: www.dreamingof.net.