Sanremo divides naturally into distinct zones that follow the topography: the seafront strip, the medieval hillside old town, the newer residential areas to the east and west, and the green hillside suburbs above the city. Most visitors spend their time along the Lungomare and in La Pigna, but each neighborhood offers a different experience and price point for accommodation. Here is how they break down.
Sanremo Best Neighborhoods: Centro and the Seafront (Lungomare)
The seafront strip from the old port to the Casino is Sanremo’s most prestigious and most expensive area. The Lungomare Imperatrice and Corso degli Inglesi form a palm-lined promenade with Liberty-style hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants facing the Gulf of Sanremo. This is where the Royal Hotel, the Casino, and most 4- and 5-star properties sit. The area suits first-time visitors who want to be within walking distance of the beaches, the Ariston Theatre (10-minute walk), and the evening passeggiata scene. Hotel rates here start at 150 euros/night for a 3-star and climb past 400 euros for a seafront 5-star in high season. The downside: it is the noisiest part of the city in summer and during the February Festival. Corso Matteotti, the pedestrian shopping street, bisects the area and is where you will find most cafes, gelaterias, and shops. Parking is a headache: use the underground parking at Piazza Eroi Sanremesi (1.50 euros/hour, 15 euros/day) rather than hunting for street spots. For more, see our weather by month.
Sanremo Best Neighborhoods: La Pigna (Old Town)
La Pigna is the medieval heart of Sanremo, climbing the hillside directly behind the city center. This is not a hotel district: accommodations here are mostly small B&Bs and apartment rentals carved out of historic stone buildings. Staying in La Pigna means steep staircases, car-free alleys, and no elevator access in most buildings, but the tradeoff is an authentic experience and rates 30 to 40 percent lower than the seafront. The area suits travelers who prioritize character over convenience and do not mind a 10-minute uphill walk from the town center. The lower section near Porta San Giuseppe and the Cathedral has a handful of trattorias and wine bars that stay open late. The upper section, near the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa, is residential and very quiet at night. La Pigna is the best neighborhood for photographers, with endless compositions in the narrow caruggi and panoramic viewpoints over the gulf. For more, see our best time to visit.
Sanremo Best Neighborhoods: San Martino and Eastern Sanremo
East of the city center, past the Casino and Corso Garibaldi, Sanremo transitions into a more residential and predominantly local area. This includes the San Martino district and the neighborhoods approaching Bussana. Accommodation here is a mix of mid-range hotels, apartment rentals, and a few agriturismi (farm stays) in the hills. The area is quieter than the center, with more free street parking and better value for money: a decent 3-star hotel room runs 80 to 120 euros in high season. The eastern Lungomare delle Nazioni promenade is less crowded than the central stretch and has its own set of beach clubs including Bagni La Milanese. This area suits families and travelers with a car who want to use Sanremo as a base for exploring the Riviera dei Fiori rather than staying in the thick of the city. The Sanremo train station (Stazione di Sanremo) is at the eastern edge of this zone. Note that it is a 20 to 25-minute walk to the Casino and Ariston Theatre from most eastern addresses, or a 5-minute bus ride on the RT Linea 13. For more, see our things to do.
Sanremo Best Neighborhoods: Coldirodi and the Hills
Coldirodi is a frazione (hamlet) perched on the hillside about 4 kilometers above Sanremo, reachable via the SP58 road toward Monte Bignone. It is a village of about 2,000 residents with its own church, a few restaurants, and a completely different feel from the coastal strip: quieter, greener, and several degrees cooler in summer. The Pinacoteca Rambaldi, a small art gallery with 15th to 19th century works, sits in Coldirodi and is free to visit. Accommodation options are limited to a few B&Bs and vacation rentals, typically 60 to 90 euros per night. You will need a car to stay here comfortably, as the bus service is infrequent (about every 90 minutes on Linea 16). This neighborhood suits long-stay visitors and anyone seeking escape from the coastal heat in July and August. The San Romolo forest, with its picnic areas and hiking trailheads, is a 10-minute drive above Coldirodi. For more, see our events and festivals.
Sanremo Best Neighborhoods: Western Suburbs and Ospedaletti
The area west of the city center, toward the hamlet of Sanremo Due and the neighboring town of Ospedaletti (about 5km), is where the coastal cycle path runs closest to the sea. This zone has a mix of modern apartment buildings, a few older hotels, and some of the quietest pebble beaches on the Sanremo coastline. Hotel prices are the lowest in the city: a 3-star room in Ospedaletti runs 70 to 100 euros in August. The downside is distance from central Sanremo: it is a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride (RT Linea 14/2) to the Ariston Theatre. This area suits cyclists (direct access to the bike path) and travelers who want a beach holiday without the crowds of the center. The cycle path connects Ospedaletti to Sanremo in one direction and to San Lorenzo al Mare in the other, giving you car-free coastal access in both directions. For more, see our where to stay guide.
