Car Hire in Sanremo, Italy

Sanremo

Found in the region of Liguria in northwestern Italy, Sanremo is a popular European tourist destination on the Italian Riviera, thanks to its pleasant climate, entertainment and culture, which has attracted visitors (and even royalty) for centuries.

Founded by the Romans as Matutia, the current settlement is still occasionally referred to as San Remo in English, as ‘Sanremo’ is an erroneous version of San Romolo (the patron saint of the city). A notable regional centre during the Empire, the city expanded further during the Middle Ages onto the hillside, in part due to the threat of Saracen pirates. Established as a free commune in the late 15th century, it remained so until the 18th century, when the city fell first under French domination and was then annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Thereafter, Sanremo’s history revolves around its fledgling tourist trade, visited by the rich and famous of the 19th century, including Alfred Nobel and Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II.

Sanremo’s reputation is still intact today and, courtesy of its events, cuisine and nightlife, remains one of the most picturesque and attractive locations on the Riviera.

Attractions

Much of Sanremo’s architecture reflects its history as a tourist resort. This is especially true of the city’s Orthodox Russian Church, completed in 1913 in response to the influx of Russian visitors after the Tsarina’s visit in the late 19th century. Similarly, a stroll down the Corso degli Inglesi will lead you to some of the luxury villas built by these famous visitors, including the Villa Vista Lieta and the Villa Fiorentina.

More typical of the location is the San Siro Cathedral, the main religious building in the city. Built in the 12th century in Romanesque-Gothic style, it has since been added to and renovated many times but the façade largely remains the same. Adjacent to the Cathedral is the equally impressive Baroque 17th century Baptistery of St. John.

Completed in the 15th century and owned by the noble Venetian family, the Borea d’Olmo Palace is notable both as a monument in its own right and for housing the Town Museum, which contains archaeological finds, paintings and frescos over the centuries.

One further remnant to the city’s past is La Pigna, the medieval old town on the hillsides established as a refuge from pirates. Although quite a tiring walk, the old town contains the 17th century Church of Madonna della Costa at the top and provides a panoramic view of the countryside.

Sanremo is often referred to as the 'City of Flowers', a soubriquet gained due to the many surrounding villages, including Bordighera, Taggia and Apricale, who all contribute to the cultivation of flowers and add to the city’s beauty.

A number of events and festivals are hosted by Sanremo, the most prestigious of which being the Festival di Sanremo. Held at the Ariston Theatre, the Festival is a national event which inspired the Eurovision Song Contest and now annually selects Italy’s entry for Eurovision itself.

Other festivals include the charming Flowers Parade, held in January or February each year with flower arrangements from every city of the Italian Riviera, and the International Firework contest in mid-July.

Sanremo is home to both the Sanremo Car Rally Race in Spring and the Milan-Sanremo Cycling Race in March. The city also has facilities for golf, fishing and boating.

Shopping

The Corso Matteotti is recognised as the place to shop in Sanremo, with high-street fashion and department stores galore. However, the Porto Vecchio and Porto Sole tourist harbours are also excellent for shop-a-holics.

The Sanremo Market is held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the Piazza Eroi Sanremesi and is one of the most popular in the region. Be sure to get up early if you want to catch it though!

Nightlife and Eating Out

Inspired by the regional Ligurian cuisine, the food in Sanremo is not exactly for meat lovers, but nevertheless delicious, with dishes like sardenera (very similar to pizza) and torta verde. You can find good restaurants everywhere but Da Giannino in Lungomare Trento e Trieste and La Lanterna in the Via Molo di Ponente are both excellent. International alternatives are also strewn across the city, like the Newport Café American Bar in Giardini Vittorio Veneto.

Being a popular tourist spot, Sanremo has a great nightlife, helped by clubs like Betise and Discoteca. However, you’re never far away from a place to drink in the city and there are even English pubs and wine-bars around.

Sanremo has two main performance halls; the Municipal Casino and the Ariston Theatre. Both providing concerts, plays and operas, the former is the home of the nationally recognised and prolific Sanremo Symphony Orchestra.

Tourist Information

Sanremo Tourist Office
C.so Cavallotti, 51
Sanremo
Tel: +39 (0)184 580353
ufficio.turismomanifestazioni@comunedisanremo.it

Airport

Rather curiously, the closest international airport to Sanremo is the Côte d’Azur International Airport in France, some 45 minutes away via train or car. International and domestic connecting flights are available regularly to limited destinations within the continent.

The nearest Italian alternative is Genoa Airport, roughly 145 km away.

British Airways (London-Gatwick and London-Heathrow), Flyglobespan (Edinburgh and Glasgow) and easyJet (London-Luton, London-Gatwick, Liverpool and Newcastle) use the Côte d’Azur International Airport to and from British destinations.