At the far western end of Liguria, a step from France, the Riviera of Flowers is the mildest and brightest coast in the region, where palms and blossoming gardens tell of a gentle climate all year round. Its heart is Sanremo, the “city of flowers”, elegant and lively, with the belle époque of its grand hotels and the myth of the Song Festival. Here you’ll find where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
It’s a riviera that lives on growing, increasingly international quality tourism, and on a special draw: the western cycle path, laid on the old coastal railway, which for some twenty kilometres runs flat along the sea from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo, passing through Sanremo and Arma di Taggia. It’s the loveliest way to discover the coast, on foot or by bike.
Compared with the busier eastern coast, the western riviera has a more relaxed, sun-drenched soul, made of gardens, cycle paths and elegant towns where tourism stays on a human scale. It’s also the Italian gateway to the Côte d’Azur, with Monaco and Nice close by, which makes it a perfect base for combining sea, culture and cross-border outings.
Where to stay depends on what you’re after: services and events in Sanremo, elegance and quiet in Bordighera, calm and gentler prices in Ospedaletti and Arma di Taggia. Let’s look at the best destinations, one by one, with the addresses we recommend in each.
Sanremo
Capital of the Riviera of Flowers, Sanremo is an elegant, complete city: the belle époque Casino, the picturesque old town of La Pigna climbing the hill in a maze, the onion-domed Russian Orthodox church, the Corso degli Inglesi with its villas and the Portosole marina. It’s here, every February, that the famous Song Festival takes the stage at the Teatro Ariston, the event that lights up the city. It’s the base richest in services, shops and life, ideal for those who want city and sea together, and very handy for exploring the whole riviera. The addresses we choose:
Lolli Palace Hotel
An Art Nouveau villa on the Imperatrice seafront, with a panoramic terrace and sea-view rooms a couple of steps from the Casino. The charm of belle époque Sanremo, facing the palms and the water, in the city’s most elegant spot. Ideal for those who want period atmosphere and a central location.
Villa Sylva & Spa
A nineteenth-century period villa set in greenery, with a wellness centre, private garden and restaurant, a couple of steps from the sea. The calm of a historic residence on the hill, with the spa to relax in and the centre a short distance away. Ideal for those seeking relaxation and elegance away from the bustle.
Le Camere di Nanà
A guest house in the old town, a few steps from the Teatro Ariston and the sea, with air-conditioned rooms and a much-appreciated welcome. The convenience of staying in the city’s beating heart, among shops, bars and the buzz of the Festival. Ideal for those who want to experience Sanremo on foot.
All the small hotels in Sanremo →
Bordighera
Refined and quiet, Bordighera is the “city of palms”: from here, by an ancient privilege, the palm fronds for the Vatican still set out today. Loved by Monet, who painted here, it keeps its belle époque villas, a delightful old town and the long Lungomare Argentina, one of the finest seafront promenades on the riviera. It’s the choice for those seeking elegance, quiet and an old-world atmosphere. The addresses we choose:
Casa Febo
A guest house in the centre of Bordighera, a couple of steps from the sea, with air-conditioned rooms, free private parking and bike rental. A precious detail, the parking, in an area where it’s not a given. Ideal for those who want independence, convenience and the cycle path within a pedal.
Hotel Piccolo Lido
A four-star on the beachfront of the Lungomare Argentina, with a Mediterranean restaurant and sea-facing rooms. The pleasure of having the promenade and the beach on your doorstep, in the loveliest spot in Bordighera. Ideal for those who want the sea in front of them and the calm of an elegant town.
All the small hotels in Bordighera →
Arma di Taggia
Facing the sea, Arma di Taggia is the seaside part of Taggia, whose lovely medieval town, with its alleys and arcades, rises a little inland and is worth a visit. It’s a quieter, cheaper base, with comfortable beaches and the cycle path that links it to Sanremo and the other towns. Here prices are gentler and the atmosphere more homely, while staying just minutes from the city of flowers. The choice for those who want sea, relaxation and lower prices, without giving up closeness to Sanremo. The addresses we choose:
Albergo Sappia
A three-star a few steps from the beach, with sea-view terraces, a garden and bike rental. The pleasure of a well-kept, welcoming base, with the cycle path in front and the sea a couple of steps away. Ideal for those who love to pedal along the coast and want a relaxed, good-value stay.
Hotel Graziella
A three-star right on the seafront, a few steps from the beach, with a restaurant, bar and 24-hour reception. The convenience of a simple, well-kept beachfront base, perfect for a family seaside holiday. Ideal for those who want the beach on their doorstep without overspending.
Ospedaletti
Small and sheltered from the winds, Ospedaletti is a quiet resort town between Sanremo and Bordighera, crossed by the cycle path and facing a sunny bay with a particularly gentle climate. Once an elegant winter health resort, today it’s a corner of peace loved by those seeking relaxation away from the crowds. It’s the choice for those who want quiet, a mild climate and a slow pace, with Sanremo a few minutes away. The address we choose:
Residence Dell’Angelo
An aparthotel three minutes from the beach, with a seasonal pool, a solarium terrace and air-conditioned apartments. The space and independence of an apartment with a kitchen, with the pool to cool off in and the cycle path nearby. Ideal for families and for longer, thoroughly relaxed stays.
When to go
The Riviera of Flowers can be enjoyed practically all year round, thanks to the mild climate. Spring is splendid, with gardens in bloom and the flower-float parade of Sanremo in Fiore, in March. Summer is the season for sea, beaches and evening life, while autumn stays warm and bright, perfect for cycling and walks. Winter, too, is gentle: in February the city lights up for the Festival, and the climate stays pleasant for an off-season relaxing stay. In general, the Riviera of Flowers is one of the few Italian destinations where sea and walks are truly enjoyed in every season, and that is exactly its winning card.
Getting there and around
Sanremo is on the Genoa–Ventimiglia railway line, with a modern underground station; from here trains conveniently reach Bordighera, Ospedaletti (by bus) and the rest of the coast. By car you arrive via the A10 motorway tollgates, very close to the French border, to Ventimiglia and a stone’s throw from Monaco and Nice.
On the spot, the loveliest way to get around is the western cycle path, which links Ospedaletti, Sanremo, Arma di Taggia and the other towns flat along the sea: you rent a bike and pedal from one village to the next. For the full picture on trains and connections, see how to get to Liguria. A little to the east, on the same coast, lies Imperia, with Oneglia and Porto Maurizio.
This guide is part of our grand journey through the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Liguria.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Sanremo and the Riviera of Flowers.
What is the best area to stay in Sanremo?
To have everything within reach, the centre and the seafront, near the Casino and the Teatro Ariston: there you have shops, bars, the beach and city life. Those after more quiet can go up into the hills, among the villas with gardens, while staying a short distance from the sea. Sanremo is also handy as a base for exploring the whole Riviera of Flowers.
Sanremo or Bordighera?
It depends on what you’re after. Sanremo is larger, livelier and rich in services, ideal for those who want city, events and nightlife. Bordighera is more intimate and elegant, perfect for those seeking quiet, walks and an old-world atmosphere. They’re very close and connected, so from one you can easily visit the other.
What is the western cycle path?
It’s a cycle-and-pedestrian path laid on the old coastal railway, running flat along the sea for some twenty kilometres, from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare, via Sanremo and Arma di Taggia. It’s one of the area’s main draws: you rent a bike and pedal from one town to the next, with the sea always beside you.
When is the Sanremo Festival held?
The Italian Song Festival is held every year in February, at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo. During those days the city is packed and hotels fill up well in advance: if you want to be there, book very early. Outside that week, February remains a pleasant month for a quiet stay.
Is the Riviera of Flowers suitable for families?
Yes, very much so: the mild climate, comfortable beaches and flat cycle path make it perfect for children. Places like Arma di Taggia and Ospedaletti offer quiet and gentler prices, while Sanremo adds services and attractions. Getting around is easy by train and bike along the whole coast.
