Sanremo’s star shines less brightly than it did in the resort’s heyday in the first half of the last century. But this remarkable Riviera town is still an important magnet for travellers exploring the coast of Liguria. With the coming of the railway in 1872, Sanremo developed as a popular winter watering hole for wealthy visitors from Russia, Britain and Germany.

Today, Sanremo still has a cosmopolitan feel – but there’s a time warp about the place. The last waltz has run its course and Sanremo is trying to reinvent itself as an attractive destination for a wider group of travellers. It oozes Riviera style, but prices are lower than on the Côte d’Azur. In short, Sanremo has a lot going for it. The casino still pulls the crowds, though it’ll be a while before Sanremo poses any serious challenge to Monte Carlo, 30 km away to the west. Sanremo has some great beaches with a beautiful backdrop of Ligurian hills.

Sanremo is still an international destination. Even today, the weekly train from Moscow and Vienna helps set the tone for Sanremo life. For travellers from London and Paris, this is one of the most easily reached resorts on the Italian Riviera. Since 2015, it has been possible to travel from London to Sanremo in 11 hours with just one change of train in Marseille - but that's a summer-only option as the direct Eurostar from London to the south of France is only seasonal.

Sanremo has direct trains to Rome, Pisa, Milan, Marseille, Nice and Monaco Monte Carlo. The main coastal railway line through Sanremo was rerouted underground in 2001, with a new underground station opened north-east of the town centre. With its seemingly endless underground walkways and escalators, it makes for an odd arrival. Meanwhile, the old railway line along the seafront has been converted into a footpath and cycle route.

Just in case you wonder about the name, Sanremo is also often known as San Remo, but the locals favour Sanremo. Our booking system will recognise either spelling.