Sanremo is the glamorous capital of the Riviera dei Fiori, famed for its Italian Song Festival, Belle Epoque villas, Liberty-style casino, and onion-domed Russian Orthodox church. A short trip inland leads to Dolceacqua, a medieval village dominated by a Doria castle and crossed by a high single-arch stone bridge that Claude Monet painted in 1884.
Sanremo and Dolceacqua pair the glamour of the coast with the charm of a medieval inland village on the Riviera dei Fiori, in Liguria's western Imperia Province. Sanremo is reached along the coastal Trenitalia line from Genoa, Imperia, or Ventimiglia; the city is famed for its annual Festival della Canzone Italiana (the Italian Song Festival held at the Teatro Ariston), its Liberty-style Casino, the Belle Epoque villas, and the onion-domed Russian Orthodox Church of Christ the Saviour built for the wintering Russian nobility. The medieval Pigna quarter climbs the hillside in a maze of arches and stairways to the Madonna della Costa sanctuary at the top. Dolceacqua lies 22 km inland up the Nervia valley, reached in about 40 minutes by a Riviera Trasporti bus from Ventimiglia or Sanremo, or by driving the SP64. Its old town huddles below a ruined Doria castle and is crossed by a striking high single-arch stone bridge that Claude Monet painted in 1884, calling it a jewel of lightness. A sensible one-day arc is to spend the cooler morning in Sanremo - market, casino exterior, seafront, and Pigna - then head up to Dolceacqua in the afternoon for the bridge, castle, and a glass of the local Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC red. Food is a pleasure throughout: Sanremo's covered Mercato Annonario is ideal for a market lunch of sardenaira (the local tomato-and-anchovy focaccia), while Dolceacqua is known for michette sweet buns and Rossese wine in its little enoteche. A flat, fully paved cycling and walking promenade runs along the former Sanremo-Ospedaletti railway, perfect for combining the coast with the old town on two wheels. Spring brings the Riviera dei Fiori into bloom, but the mild climate makes this an inviting trip almost year-round.
How to get there
- Train: coastal line to Sanremo from Genoa, Imperia, or Ventimiglia
- Bus: Riviera Trasporti from Ventimiglia/Sanremo up the Nervia valley to Dolceacqua
- Car: SS1 Aurelia coast road plus the inland SP64 to Dolceacqua
- E-bike/walking promenade along the old Sanremo-Ospedaletti rail trail
Location
Sanremo train station, Corso Cavallotti, 18038 Sanremo IM
43.8175, 7.7762 View on map
Highlights
- Sanremo's casino, Russian church, and Pigna old town
- The seafront cycling promenade along the old railway
- Dolceacqua's medieval hump-backed bridge painted by Monet
- Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC red wine tasting
Tips for visiting
- Sanremo's covered Mercato Annonario is great for a market lunch
- Dolceacqua is famous for Rossese DOC red wine and michette sweets
- The Sanremo-Ospedaletti coastal cycle path is fully paved and flat
- Hire a bike on the promenade to combine coast and old town
When to visit
Pleasant year-round thanks to the mild Riviera climate, with spring (March to June) best for the Riviera dei Fiori blooms and comfortable walking. Visit Dolceacqua in the afternoon when the valley light is warmest.
Accessibility
Sanremo's seafront and the railway cycling promenade are flat and easily accessible, though the medieval Pigna quarter is steep and stepped. Dolceacqua's old town has cobbled lanes and the bridge approach has steps, making parts difficult for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Sanremo to Dolceacqua?
Dolceacqua is inland and not on the rail line. Riviera Trasporti buses run up the Nervia valley from Ventimiglia and Sanremo in about 40 minutes, or visitors can drive the SP64. There is limited parking near the old bridge.
What is Dolceacqua famous for?
Dolceacqua is known for its medieval hump-backed stone bridge, painted by Claude Monet in 1884, the ruined Doria castle above the village, and Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC red wine. The local michette sweet buns are tied to a romantic village legend.
Can the coast and village be done in one day?
Yes. A morning in Sanremo and an afternoon in Dolceacqua fits comfortably into a day, allowing for the bus or drive up the Nervia valley. Cyclists can also use the seafront promenade to extend time on the coast.
Is there a scenic cycle route in Sanremo?
Yes. The Pista Ciclabile along the old Sanremo-Ospedaletti railway is a flat, fully paved coastal path popular for walking, cycling, and skating. Bikes can be hired along the promenade for an easy seaside ride.