Soggiorna
Sanremo works perfectly as a two-day trip because its different areas belong to distinct eras and don’t blend together. One day for each: the first in the late-19th-century city built for Russians and Englishmen, which sits flat by the sea; the second choosing between the medieval hilltop above it and the coastline running alongside.
The only decision left is how to spend day two, and below are three options.
Day 1 — The City of the Tsarinas
Morning: Corso Imperatrice and the Russian Church
Start with a walk along the seafront, Corso Imperatrice, named after the Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna who gifted Sanremo its palm trees. It is wide and flat, and almost empty during the first hour of the day.
Halfway along, rising above the rooftops, is something unexpected in Liguria: five colorful domes, the Church of Christ the Savior. Commissioned by Empress Mother Maria Feodorovna, mother of Nicholas II, it was consecrated to Christ the Savior, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, and Saint Catherine Martyr. It stands here for the same reason as the promenade: this is where the Russian aristocracy came to winter.
Afternoon: The Casino and the Center
The Casino opened on January 14, 1905, designed by French architect Eugène Ferret. It is the oldest operating casino in Italy and one of only four still functioning in the country: featuring a white Liberty-style facade and Murano glass chandeliers. Even if you don’t go inside to gamble, it’s the spot that reveals what kind of city they intended to create.
Just further up, on Via Matteotti, lies the Ariston Theatre, home of the Festival since 1977. From the outside, it looks like a cinema: worth a two-minute stop, but no more.
Evening: La Pigna at Sunset
The medieval historic center spirals upward above the 19th-century town—hence the name, La Pigna—and the climb rewards you at the top with views of the sea, the roofs, and the hinterland stretching to Monte Bignone.
Go there towards sunset, not at noon: these are narrow alleys and staircases, and low light is also the only time photos really work.
For details on what to see, check Sanremo Beyond the Festival.
Day 2 — Three Options
A: The Cycle Path
The best choice if the weather is good. The track, built on the railway line decommissioned in 2001, runs for 24 kilometers between Ospedaletti and San Lorenzo al Mare: flat, car-free, and overlooking the beaches. Rent a bike and ride, stopping wherever you please.
It’s also the way to experience this coast that no other resort offers—and it doesn’t require driving: How to get to and around Sanremo.
B: Bussana Vecchia
The village abandoned after an earthquake and later occupied by artists, located above the city. It is the opposite of Corso Imperatrice: no Belle Époque, no palms, and it has its own guide.
This is the right choice if you enjoyed La Pigna on day one, because it is the same stone-built Liguria taken to the extreme.
C: The Sea
Perfectly valid, and often the real answer when it’s hot. In that case, it’s worth choosing your stretch of beach carefully rather than stopping at the first one available: options are listed in Sanremo Beaches.
How to Choose Between the Three
- Good weather, first visit: the cycle path.
- You liked La Pigna: Bussana Vecchia.
- Extreme heat or small children: the sea—for kids, choosing the right beach matters more than the itinerary, as explained in Sanremo with Children.
If You Visit in February
There’s the Festival, and let’s be clear: the city is full of people who aren’t there for the sea or La Pigna, hotels cost double, and tables need booking. If you’re not coming for the event, change your dates; if you are, know that everything else in this itinerary can still be done, but amidst a completely different atmosphere.
What to Leave Out
In two days, you cannot do both the cycle path and Bussana Vecchia, nor add Villa Nobel without cutting something else. Those who try end up rushing through three things: the value here is that the two parts of the city are compact and can be explored calmly, and giving up that pace means losing the very reason why two days are enough.
For the big picture, see Sanremo: City Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are two days enough to see Sanremo?
Yes, and they divide well: one day for the 19th-century seaside city—Corso Imperatrice, the Russian church, the Casino—and La Pigna at sunset, plus one day to choose between the cycle path, Bussana Vecchia, or the sea.
What should I see in Sanremo on day one?
Corso Imperatrice in the morning with the Russian Church of Christ the Savior, the 1905 Casino and Via Matteotti with the Ariston Theatre in the afternoon, and La Pigna towards sunset.
What should I do on day two in Sanremo?
Three possibilities: the 24-kilometer cycle path on the old railway, the artist village of Bussana Vecchia, or a day at the beach. With good weather and on a first visit, choose the cycle path.
When is the best time to climb La Pigna?
Towards sunset. It consists of alleys and stairs, and climbing at noon in summer is an avoidable struggle; moreover, low light is the only time the panorama from the top truly shines.
Is it worth visiting Sanremo during the Festival?
Only if you are coming for the Festival. In February, the city is packed, hotels are much more expensive, and restaurants require reservations. The rest of the itinerary can still be completed, but within a different urban context.