Where to stay in Sanremo: areas, accommodation and practical tips
Complete guide on where to stay in Sanremo: best areas in the city of flowers, accommodation types, budget tips and advice for every type of traveller.
Where to stay in Sanremo: the complete guide
Sanremo is not just the Italian Song Festival. It is a Riviera di Ponente city with belle époque charm, featuring the Art Nouveau Municipal Casino, La Pigna (the perched medieval centre), 19th-century villas in lush gardens and a mild climate year-round thanks to the shelter of the Maritime Alps. Staying in Sanremo offers the best of Liguria without the crowds of the eastern Riviera.
Best areas to stay
Centre — Via Matteotti and Seafront
The elegant shopping area with Via Matteotti, the Casino, Teatro Ariston and the palm-lined seafront. Historic 4-star hotels, boutique hotels and B&Bs in Art Nouveau buildings. From here you can walk to the cycle path, the old harbour and La Pigna. Highest prices, especially during the Festival (February).
La Pigna (Medieval Old Town)
The ancient hillside borough with narrow caruggi lanes, pastel-coloured houses and the Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa at the top. A few B&Bs and apartments in historic buildings, for an authentic experience away from mass tourism. Note: the climbs are steep, not suitable for those with mobility issues.
Old Harbour Area — Portosole
The marina area, with seafood restaurants and nightlife. Modern hotels and residences overlooking yachts. Lively atmosphere, 5 minutes from the centre.
Foce and Eastern Zone
Residential quarter towards Ospedaletti, quieter with less crowded beaches. 2-3 star hotels, guesthouses and apartments at contained prices. Frequent buses to the centre.
Hills — Bussana, Poggio
Hilltop hamlets in the immediate hinterland (Bussana Vecchia with artists' ateliers, Poggio with panoramas) host farmhouses and holiday homes. A car is needed but prices are halved.
Accommodation types
- **Historic hotels** — Belle époque palaces with palm gardens, pools and sea views, heirs to the golden age of aristocratic tourism
- **Seafront hotels** — Direct sea views, access to affiliated private beaches
- **B&Bs and guesthouses** — Found in the centre and La Pigna, with hosts who know every corner of the city
- **Apartments** — Ideal for weekly stays, many with sea-view terraces
- **Residences** — Apart-hotel formula, convenient for families, often with pool
Budget tips
- Avoid Sanremo Festival week (February): prices triple and availability is near zero
- Low season (October-March, excluding Festival) offers 40-50% discounts with still-mild weather
- The eastern (Foce) and western (Poggio) zones cost 30-40% less than the centre
- The free Ponente Ligure cycle path connects Sanremo to San Lorenzo al Mare: you can stay in nearby towns and cycle in
- Restaurants in the back streets are much cheaper than those on the seafront
Where to stay by traveller type
Romantic couples
A historic hotel with garden or a B&B in La Pigna: evening dinner with sea views, then a stroll around the old harbour under the stars.
Sea and sports lovers
Seafront or eastern zone: direct beach access, the cycle path for panoramic rides, the harbour for boat trips.
Families
Residence in the eastern zone or apartment on the seafront: child-friendly equipped beaches, gelaterias and Villa Ormond park for play.
Cultural travellers
Historic centre: the Civic Museum, La Pigna, the Casino, noble villas (Villa Nobel) are all walkable.
How much to spend
- **Budget** (guesthouse/pension): €45-75 per night
- **Mid-range** (3-star hotel/quality B&B): €80-140
- **High-end** (historic hotel/sea-view suite): €160-300
Transport connections
Sanremo station is on the Genoa-Ventimiglia line (frequent regional trains). Nice is 50 minutes by train, Genoa 2 hours. Nice Côte d'Azur airport is 60 km away (1 hour by car). The cycle path connects many coastal towns.
Discover more about Sanremo
- [What to see in Sanremo in 2 days](/en/guida/cosa-vedere-a-sanremo-in-2-giorni)
- [Where to eat in Sanremo](/en/guida/dove-mangiare-a-sanremo)
- [How to get to Sanremo](/en/guida/come-arrivare-a-sanremo)
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Where to stay in Sanremo?
The recommended time is February, March, April, May, September and October, when it is less crowded.
Is Where to stay in Sanremo crowded?
Where to stay in Sanremo is a not very crowded destination compared with the more touristy ones.
Where is Where to stay in Sanremo?
Where to stay in Sanremo is located in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy.