How to spend a day in San Remo, Italy

If you’re looking for a charming Italian town to spend some time in, look no further than San Remo. With its Mediterranean atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and stunning seaside views, this town is sure to enchant you!

Whether you’re looking to explore the vibrant nightlife or simply relax on the beach, this small city has something to offer everyone- there’s no shortage of things to do in San Remo.

Where is San Remo?

San Remo is a coastal city in Northern Italy, with around 57000 residents. It has the status of being an Italian province, with its history stretching back thousands of years with archeological finds dating to the stone age.

Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it’s known for its spas and saltwater beaches; however, things to do in San Remo go beyond the sea. In fact, things to do in San Remo include a wide range of things from gastronomy to museums and historical sites.

Cultural things to do in San Remo

For my culture buffs, some cool things to do in this quaint Italian city include museums and art galleries, such as the Floriseum (Museo del Fiore di Sanremo) and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (Modern Art Gallery).

The Palazzo Borea D’Olmo is a former noble residence which from 1840 to 1857 hosted famous figures such as French writer Honore de Balzac.

The city of San Remo also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year- from the Festival of Flowers in April to the International Circus Festival in December.

Where to eat in San Remo

If you’re interested in things to do in San Remo that revolve around food, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

There are quite a few things to do, such as trying out traditional Italian street food or visiting local produce markets. One of the things to do that has been a tradition for decades is going to the weekly street market, where you can find things such as freshly picked olives, salami and a variety of cheese.

Another must do in San Remo includes visiting one of the city’s many gelateria (gelato shops), which offers some unique flavors including: fresh fig, red currant or apricot.

For all my foodies out there, San Remo is a food haven which includes a variety of delicious cuisine – from Italian to international. From ordering fresh seafood dishes at local restaurants such as Gilda and Tipico Osteria, to trying traditional Italian street food during an evening stroll – there really is something sure to please all taste buds!

Shopping in San Remo

There are plenty of places to do shopping in San Remo Italy.

The main shopping center in San Remo is located in the center of the city, close to Piazza Colombo. This shopping mall includes a supermarket, many shops and different types of restaurants.

As well as the normal shopping centers, there are also markets that take place every day. One which is popular with tourists is the Flea Market (Mercatino dell’Antiquariato). This takes place on Wednesday mornings between 7am and 1pm at the old Antique market square. It has around 200 stands selling all sorts of items including old postcards, coins, watches and jewelry as well as local artworks and other knick-knacks.

The market is within walking distance (about 1km) from the main Train Station (the San Remo Centrale station).

There are also several other markets, such as a general market on Mondays and Tuesdays, a book market on Wednesdays and an antique market also on Wednesdays.

Nightlife in San Remo

San Remo really comes to life at night! 

Start your evening off with a nice dinner and some live music, followed by a romantic stroll on the seaside boulevard.

Make sure to stop by the piazza and enjoy some live music at Sottocoperta Lounge bar or enjoy a cocktail with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea at Sky & Sand Bar.

The vibrant nightlife is also a great reason to check out San Remo. With its pubs, bars, and discos providing plenty of ways to have fun after dark. In fact, one famous disco is the PIP Club, which stands for ‘Italian Party People’. It’s known as one of the best discos in Italy and gets crowded full of locals and tourists all week long.

Some popular bars in San Remo include the Irish pub Grogg’s and the English-style pub Marconi.

There are also many beach clubs and bars, such as Decò and K-Beach club.

Things to do near San Remo

If you’re looking to get away from things to do in San Remo, why not visit some nearby towns such as Ventimiglia or Bordighera? Ventimiglia is a small Italian town just near the French border, while Bordighera is known for its lush gardens and palm trees.

San Remo is just a short car or train ride away from many major Italian cities, making things to do in San Remo even more accessible.

For a weekend getaway, things to do in San Remo include a visit to the nearby city of Genoa for shopping, dining, and historical sites such as the Palazzi dei Rolli.

In just 2 hours by car, you can reach Cinque Terre, known for its five picturesque villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

San Remo also provides easy access to both France and Monaco, which are both just a 25-minute ride by train.

Why not hop on the train and explore other cities nearby? 

Train tickets throughout Italy can usually be found for pretty cheap with sites like ItaliaRail and TrenItalia.

What to do while on a budget in San Remo?

For those on a budget, low cost things to do in San Remo include: visiting the aquarium (which is free), visiting the city’s beaches, or hiking in the nearby Pevero Natural Park.

Some other free things to do in San Remo include:

• Exploring the streets of San Remo
• Admiring views from the rooftop of Hotel Belvedere 
• Enjoying a picnic on the beach
• Catching up on reading at San Remo Libri
• Watching people as they hike around the nearby mountains
• People watching along Corso Imperatrice
• Going for a walk through the San Remo mountains
• Visiting the city’s squares and townhouses

Outdoor activities in San Remo

Outdoor things to do in San Remo include things such as a visit to the Parco Naturale di Pevero (Pevero Natural Park), which has hikes along its trails or renting a bike to cycle through the park. There are various shops offering bicycle rentals such as Sport Shop and Turgon Bike.

Other things you can do outdoors in San Remo include:

1. Hiking the ​​Arma di Taggia path from San Remo to Ventimiglia
2. Cycling along the seaside
3. Hiking around Capo Nero
4. Visiting the city’s market

And of course, visit the beach!

There are plenty of outdoor activities for you to enjoy under the San Remo sun.

So, if you’re looking for a city break with plenty of culture and foodie delights, San Remo is the perfect destination! 

Have you been to this lovely Italian city? What were your favorite things to do? 

Check out my San Remo day trip vlog!