Soggiorna
The best thing about Sanremo for families isn't a museum and it isn't a park: it's a 24-kilometer track without a single car.
A six-year-old who knows how to ride a bike can go solo here — not in the sense of being unsupervised, but in the sense of being free from fear. There are no intersections, no cars, and it’s flat because it used to be a railway line. Few other Italian locations offer this, and it completely changes the type of holiday you have.
The cycle path, and how to really use it with children
It runs between Ospedaletti and San Lorenzo al Mare along the route of the railway decommissioned in 2001. Between Imperia and Ospedaletti, there are 28 kilometers available to ride.
Three practical tips nobody writes about:
- You don’t need to do the whole thing. The right way with kids is to choose a section and turn back, keeping in mind that the second half will be done on tired legs.
- It passes over the beaches. You can see from above where there is space and where there isn’t, before heading down with all your gear.
- There are rental shops, and with a trailer or child seat, it works even for toddlers. With a stroller, the path is easily walkable: it’s paved and flat.
For more on transport, see how to get to Sanremo.
The sea: the choice that matters
Here we need to say something guides often omit, because it’s the difference between a great day and a day spent constantly checking on your kids.
In Sanremo, the seabed drops off quickly. If you have a child who doesn’t swim well, the right choice isn’t in town: it’s Arma di Taggia, just over fifteen minutes by car, where the sea has Blue Flag status with sandy beaches and a gradually sloping bottom. It’s the place where a child can stand in the water comfortably.
In town, the most convenient beach is Tre Ponti: it’s the largest free-access beach in the area and one of the few with toilets and showers — which, with children, is no small detail.
For a complete overview of the coastline, see Sanremo beaches.
Villa Nobel
This is the house where Alfred Nobel spent his final years and conducted his last experiments; today it is a museum.
It works better than you might think with children aged nine or ten, for a simple reason: they already know the name from the prize, and discovering that the man behind the award lived here and blew things up in the garden is the kind of connection that sticks. Below that age, it’s just another historic house museum.
Corso Imperatrice
The seaside promenade, lined with palm trees gifted by Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna. It is flat, wide, and serves a specific purpose on a family holiday: walking without having to hold anyone’s hand.
In the evening, this is where everyone in Sanremo goes, and gelato is part of the plan.
What DOESN'T work with young children
We’ll tell you, because it’s the useful part.
La Pigna is all stairs. The medieval historic center spirals upwards and is the city’s most beautiful feature, but it’s impassable with a stroller and a three-year-old will complain the entire climb. With little ones, view it from below and save the ascent for another time.
The Festival is not a family event: in February, the city is packed with people who aren’t there for the sea, and prices reflect that.
How to plan your days
- Half a day: a section of the cycle path and a drop down to the beach.
- One day: morning at Arma of Taggia if they don’t swim, afternoon on the cycle path, evening on Corso Imperatrice.
- Two days: the second day at Villa Nobel if they’re older, or Bussana Mare by bike if they’re younger.
For the big picture, see Sanremo: city guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanremo suitable for children?
Yes, and the main reason is the cycle path: 24 flat kilometers, no cars, no intersections, built on the old railway line. It’s the right place for a family wanting to move around safely by bike.
Which is the best beach for children who don’t swim?
Not in Sanremo: it’s Arma di Taggia, just over fifteen minutes by car, with sandy beaches and a shallow bottom. In town, Tre Ponti remains the most convenient because it has toilets and showers.
Can you take a stroller on the cycle path?
Yes: it’s paved, flat, and intersection-free, so it’s easy to walk. You don’t need to do the whole length — pick a section and turn back.
Do children like Villa Nobel?
It works well from ages nine or ten, as they recognize the name from the prize and connecting the man to the house engages them. Below that age, it’s just another historic house museum.
Can you visit La Pigna with young children?
Not with a stroller: the historic center is all alleys and spiral staircases, with no alternative flat routes. With very young children, it’s best to postpone the visit.