Sanremo is the largest city on the Riviera dei Fiori: around 53,000 residents, the sea, one of the mildest climates in Liguria and the amenities of a full-fledged city, from the hospital to the railway station. It is one of the few places on the coast where you can enjoy living all year round, beyond the holiday season. This guide explains what to expect, what homes are available and how to choose the right area.
The climate and the sea
Sanremo has the mildest recorded climate in Liguria: average temperatures are around 10-11 °C in winter and around 24 °C in summer. For anyone coming from Northern Europe or Russia, this means mild winters, plenty of sunny days and the chance to spend time outdoors for much of the year.
The city faces the sea, with its urban beaches and two harbours, Porto Vecchio and the Portosole marina. Along the coast runs the walking and cycling path created in 2001 along the old railway route: a flat, car-free route leading from Sanremo towards Ospedaletti in one direction and Arma di Taggia in the other.
Getting around
- By train: the station, underground since 2001, is on the Genoa-Ventimiglia line and is a short distance from the centre.
- By car: the A10 motorway (Genoa-Ventimiglia) passes through Sanremo, and via Aurelia follows the coast.
- By air: Nice airport is around 50 km away, and Genoa airport around 130 km.
- On foot and by bike: distances are short, and the centre is easy to explore on foot.
What the city offers (and why it matters when buying a home)
Sanremo is known for the Festival, which brings Teatro Ariston to the attention of the whole of Italy every February, for the Casinò and for its flower-growing tradition: the Mercato dei fiori and the «Sanremo in Fiori» float parade. But living here means, above all, the Pigna, the historic centre of narrow streets and stairways rising from the sea, nineteenth-century villas such as Villa Ormond, with its park, and Villa Nobel, Alfred Nobel's last residence, the Santuario della Madonna della Costa and the Forte di Santa Tecla by the sea. There is also the Orthodox church of Cristo Salvatore, a sign of a Russian presence with a long history here.
For buyers, this means two things: the city stays lively outside the main season, and the centre gets crowded during major events (the Festival, rallies and fairs). Those looking for more peace and quiet often consider residential areas a little further from the centre: you can find them described in the guide to Sanremo's neighbourhoods.
What homes are available in Sanremo
- Apartments in period buildings in the centre and towards the sea, often with high ceilings: renovated properties are in high demand.
- Small apartment buildings and larger blocks in residential areas, generally with a lift and a parking space or garage.
- Villas and detached houses in the hills, with gardens or terraced olive groves and often sea views.
- Homes in hillside villages (Poggio, Coldirodi, Verezzo, San Romolo), offering more peace and space, but requiring a car to reach them.
How to choose an area
The right question is not «which is the best area?» but «how do I want to live?»: close to everything and able to walk, in a quiet residential neighbourhood, or with a garden and views over the hills? For properties of the same size, the main factors are: sea views, floor level and a lift, a garage or parking space, the property's condition and the distance from amenities.
What to check before buying
- that the property complies with planning and cadastral requirements (the surveyor and notary check this);
- the energy rating (APE) and condominium charges;
- in hillside and scenic areas, any landscape protection restrictions: these must be checked before renovating;
- whether it is a primary residence or a second home, and whether you are buying from a private seller or a business, because taxes and costs vary: we explain them before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanremo a good place to live in winter too?
Yes: it has the mildest recorded climate in Liguria, the amenities of a city and stays lively outside the main season.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Sanremo?
It depends greatly on the area. According to Idealista, in the first quarter of 2025 asking prices ranged from around 2,000 euros per square metre in inland areas to over 4,000 in the centre and seafront area. Renovation, sea views and a garage can take a property above the average for its area. To find out what yours is worth, you can request a free valuation.
Can you live in Sanremo without speaking Italian?
Yes, although knowing a few words helps. You can speak to us in Italian, English or Russian, including when handling paperwork with the notary, bank and utility providers.
Buying or selling in Sanremo?
We are an independent agency working in Sanremo, Ospedaletti, Bordighera and Arma di Taggia. Browse the Sanremo page and our properties, or request a free valuation of your home. If you are comparing several locations, also read where to buy a home on the Riviera dei Fiori.
Sources: climate and population from Wikipedia (updated in May 2026), distances from Wikivoyage, prices from Idealista (first quarter of 2025, asking prices).
