Bordighera, the «Queen of Palms», is one of the most elegant towns on the Riviera dei Fiori: around 10,400 residents, one of the most beautiful seafronts on the coast, an old town overlooking the sea and a long tradition of foreign residents, especially English people, who began arriving in the nineteenth century. This guide explores what it's like to live in Bordighera, its different areas and the homes you'll find.
The town's character
Bordighera owes much of its image to nineteenth-century holidaymakers: the Belle Époque left villas with gardens, period buildings and tree-lined avenues, while the English community left the Biblioteca Civica Internazionale, a Victorian-style building with around 69,000 volumes in four languages. In 1884 Claude Monet came here to paint: his «Bordighera» is now at the Art Institute of Chicago. The title «Queen of Palms» dates back to 1887.
The climate is mild: in January the average daily temperature is close to 10 °C, while in July and August it is around 24 °C.
The sea and walks
Lungomare Argentina is one of the longest pedestrian promenades on the Riviera; Via Romana follows the route of the ancient Via Julia Augusta, in the heart of the town. For those who enjoy green spaces, there are the Giardino Esotico Pallanca and the Giardini Winter, created by Ludwig Winter, and the Museo Clarence Bicknell, with its collections of archaeology, botany and butterflies. The harbour is the last place for leisure boats to dock before the French border.
The areas of Bordighera
- The centre and seafront. The flat, lower part of town, with shops, services and the station. It is the heart of everyday life: period buildings and apartment blocks, often just a short walk from the sea.
- Bordighera Alta. The fortified medieval old town, with narrow streets, stairways and beautiful sea views. Charming, quiet homes, where cars stay outside: for those seeking atmosphere and peace.
- Capo Sant'Ampelio. The headland with its small eleventh-century church, on the side towards Ospedaletti: a scenic area, with the public beach on the boundary between the two municipalities.
- Madonna della Ruota. A residential area with apartments offering sea views.
- Sasso and Borghetto San Nicolò. The hillside hamlets: quieter villages with more space and open views, where you need a car.
- Vallebona. A neighbouring inland municipality rather than a neighbourhood, with villas and houses with gardens a few kilometres from the sea.
Getting there
Bordighera has its own station on the Genoa-Ventimiglia railway line and an exit on the A10 motorway. Ventimiglia and the French border are a few kilometres away, making Bordighera a convenient base for exploring the French Riviera.
The homes you'll find
- Apartments in Belle Époque buildings and Art Nouveau buildings in the centre, often elegant and with high ceilings.
- Apartments with sea views in the upper parts of town, with a terrace or balcony.
- Villas with gardens in the hills and residential areas, including historic properties, to maintain or renovate.
- Village homes (Bordighera Alta, Sasso, Borghetto), with character and greater peace and quiet.
Who it suits
Those looking for an elegant town on a human scale, with the sea within easy walking distance and green gardens: retirees, families and those choosing a second home close to France. Compared with Sanremo, it is smaller and more compact: fewer events and less traffic, but also fewer services than a large city. If you are comparing towns, read where to buy a home on the Riviera dei Fiori.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bordighera close to France?
Yes: Ventimiglia and the border are a few kilometres away, reachable by train, car or bus.
Is Bordighera a good place to live in winter?
Yes: the climate is mild (in January the average daily temperature is close to 10 °C) and the town stays lively, with shops and services open all year round.
What services are available?
The railway station, motorway exit, harbour, schools and town-centre shops, as well as the Biblioteca Civica Internazionale and the gardens. For the wider range of services offered by a large city, Sanremo is the place to go.
Buying or selling in Bordighera?
Visit the Bordighera page and browse the properties, or request a free valuation of your home: we will reply in Italian, English or Russian.
Sources: Wikipedia (data updated in May 2026) and Wikivoyage for history, places and climate; area descriptions from local sources and property portals.
