What to see in Sanremo

La Pigna (centro storico)

La Pigna of Sanremo is the historic center of the city, what remains of the medieval village, still well preserved, with all the typical elements of the Ligurian Riviera and so named for the wrap-around shape that characterized the original defensive structure. The stone houses, the narrow cobblestone-paved alleys, steep streets winding down to the sea deserve to spend a couple of hours wandering around aimlessly (with comfortable shoes!) among the many shops and craft shops that progressively have returned to revitalize this area of the city, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the premises, bars and stalls selling flowers. At the top of the hill of Pigna there is the sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa, a large church of the fourteenth century, now preserved in its seventeenth-century appearance and in the baroque-style decoration.

Lungomare & Pista Ciclabile del Ponente Ligure

Derived from the disposal of a section of railway line Genoa-Ventimiglia, moved upstream in 2001, the bike path of Sanremo is one of the longest in the Mediterranean with over 20km of track walking or cycling in both directions. From the town of Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare, the track is built largely on the sea (with a single tunnel of 1.5 km), passing through small villages in an inviting atmosphere characterized by breathtaking panoramic view. The track is almost entirely flat, is not very difficult and is ideal for the whole family. In most parts of the route you can go directly to the beaches and cliffs, take advantage of dining areas and overnight. For those who haven't brought the bike, there are many rentals at reasonable prices for one or more days.

Corso Matteotti

Corso Matteotti is the main thoroughfare in the center of Sanremo. Considered the "vip" way in the city, has recently been made entirely walkable and transformed into a wide promenade lined by shops and exclusive boutiques. Walking along Corso Matteotti, one can not but notice the Ariston Theatre, by now historical venue of the annual Festival of the Italian Song, televised event followed throughout Italy, which takes place in the month of February. During the period of the festival, the city and the course are transformed into a catwalk of singers, actors, Italian and foreign entertainers, all stay in the city attracting thousands of fans often barricaded the entrance to the theater (in the rest of the year, Ariston is a multiplex cinema that does not draw attention in a particular way). Recent tourist attraction of the course (for those who love the genre "souvenir photo") is a bronze statue of Mike Bongiorno, a famous television presenter and historian presenter of the Festival, located at the intersection with Via Escoffier.

Chiesa russa ortodossa di San Basilio

The Russian Orthodox Church of San Basilio was inaugurated on December 23 of 1913 with the presence of the Russian ambassador sent by the Tsar. The church, built by the Empress Madre Maria Feodorovna, widow of Alexander III and mother of Nicholas II, derives from an idea of the chief prosecutor of the Holy Synod for the Christian worship of the Orthodox Russian large community settled in Sanremo. San Basilio, a few steps from the sea, strikes the visitor from the outside for her interlacement of shapes that intersect one on the other: full, empty, arches, domes and spiers that rise imposing surmounted by crosses with three arms, ceramic and golden tiles sparkle in the sun, creating a sublime colors glitter. Inside there are sacred objects related to Orthodox worship, and in the crypt, the royal tombs of Montenegro.

Villa Nobel

Driven by health reasons and looking for a place with a milder climate than that of Paris, at the beginning of 1890 the chemist and pharmacist Alfred Nobel moved his business to Sanremo, acquiring thex house that bears his name and enriching it with important restoration jobs in the full style of the time. Eclectic man and always involved in the social field, to his death Nobel left in his will and testament to devote all his property to create a foundation that would confer an award each year to those personalities who were distinguished in physics, medicine, physiology, chemistry, literature and service for peace. The villa, owned by the Province of Sanremo, has recently been restored and now houses an exhibition on the activity of Nobel and on the most important discoveries of 1800, in a wing of the house has been restored the bedroom, the study and living room of the Swedish chemist with the original furnishings of the early twentieth century. Periodically, the villa hosts temporary exhibitions, conferences and meetings of cultural nature; Nobeliane Days are organized annually with the participation of the winners of the last Nobel Prizes awarded.

Casinò di Sanremo

Built in 1905 by French architect Ferret Eugene, the Sanremo Casino is an impressive Art Nouveau building with turrets and cupolas. Originally conceived as Kursaal, hosted plays, concerts and dining rooms. Today it is one of the four places where gambling is allowed in Italy, the first two floors are free entry and exclusively dedicated to slot machines, access to the "green" tables and to roulette is only possible by free registration.

Bussana Vecchia

A few miles from Sanremo, is worth a visit the old village of Bussana. The town was severely damaged by the earthquake of 1887, the buildings partially collapsed, ceilings and part of the naves of the seventeenth-century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie were heavily affected, as well as the castle, built by the Counts of Ventimiglia in the twelfth century, which already abandoned for centuries, dominated the top of the village. At the end of the 50s of the twentieth century begins the new story of Bussana. The ceramist Mario Giani (aka Clizia) proposes to a group of artists to reoccupy the crumbling buildings, by now without running water, electricity, gas, sewer... In a few years the group, provided with a sort of statute that governs the relationship between the people, the artistic activity and prohibiting the sale of the works, it starts to restore the first buildings, turning them into housing and workshops . 
In the '70s finally is built the sewer system, it comes running water and the electricity grid, the buildings that are put back into the foot are becoming more numerous as well as artists and craftsmen who move there from all over Europe. The idealism of the beginnings changes with the change of time and with the change of the conditions of life, the artists decided to create a cooperative that makes Bussana face of a brand and an image that can be exported, the workshops are open to the public and tourists begin to arrive. Today Bussana is no longer the community of the past, but retains its charm and remains the country of the artists with workshops and galleries on every corner, small cafes scattered through the narrow streets and houses, now largely recovered, however reminding this story so special.

Ceriana

Not far from Sanremo, is worth a visit to the Valley Armea the small medieval village of Ceriana, famous for its singing tradition of religious brotherhoods and for the annual event of the Festival of the Sausage, typical product of the area that attracts hundreds of tourists. Going from Sanremo, the country comes into view as a dense network of stone buildings among which stands the imposing ocher facade of the eighteenth-century church of Santi Pietro e Paolo. It is necessary to go beyond the interventions of recent times and the property speculation to appreciate the charm of the village that immediately becomes sublime as soon as you proceed through the narrow streets paved with cobblestones. The houses, built of stone, alternating with many chapels and oratories that seem to appear like magic in the corners and at intersections of narrow stairways that connect the different levels on which the country is built. Going further inside without fear , you will reach “u’ bundassu”, the steep road, passing under a tunnel of rock, winds to precipice side around the east of the country, going down till the oratory of Santa Caterina and to the Romanesque church of the Holy Spirit it is possible to admire a glimpse of the country worthy of a photo.