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San Remo

Things to do in San Remo

  1. Bussana Vecchia

    About 10km northeast of San Remo is the intriguing artist colony. On Ash Wednesday 1887, an earthquake destroyed the village, and survivors were eventually forced to abandon it. It remained a ghost town until the 1960s, when artists moved in and began rebuilding the ruins using the original stones from the rubble. After successfully standing up to authorities who wanted to remove them, a thriving community of international artists remains in residence today.

    It's possible to stay overnight here - contact artist Colin Wilmot for more information.

    reviewed

  2. Museo Civico

    In the Museo Civico, several rooms, some with fine frescoed ceilings, display local prehistoric and Roman archaeological finds, paintings and temporary exhibitions. Highlights include Maurizio Carrega’s Gloria di San Napoleone, painted in 1808 as a sycophantic homage to the Corsican despot of the same name, and bronze statues by Franco Bargiggia.

    reviewed

  3. A

    Chiesa Russa Ortodossia

    The multicoloured Chiesa Russa Ortodossia was built for the Russian community that followed Tsarina Maria to San Remo. The Russian Orthodox church – with its onion domes and pale blue interior – was designed in 1906 by Alexei Shchusev, who later planned Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow. These days it’s used as an exhibition space for Russian icons.

    reviewed

  4. Caffè Ducale

    Italian panache with an added dash of San Remo swankiness make this elegant cafe– enoteca–salon de the one of the most refined joints east of the Côte d’Azur. Enjoy a few aperitivi under the weighty chandeliers before heading off to the casino to blow what’s left of your holiday budget.

    reviewed

  5. B

    Ristorante La Volta Buona

    You'll need to reserve ahead for a table at this brother-and-sister-run restaurant, as its regional fare is sourced and cooked only to order. Dine outdoors on a bamboo-covered terrace overlooking a pretty orange tree-filled square.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Victory Morgana Bay

    Situated right on the waterfront as if it’s about to set sail, this sophisticated yachting cafe-restaurant serves up a varied menu of salads, fish and grilled meats, with occasional live music.

    reviewed

  7. D

    Cantine Sanremesi

    Meet the locals at this time-worn tavern over trofie al pesto or a delicious stoccafisso alla sanremasa (stockfish with tomato and potatoes).

    reviewed

  8. Villa Nobel

    The Moorish Villa Nobel houses a museum dedicated to Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who established the Nobel Prize while living here.

    reviewed

  9. E

    Cuvea

    This cosy, brightly lit place lined with wine bottles overflows with locals tucking into its homemade traditional dishes such as pesto-doused pasta.

    reviewed

  10. F

    Casino

    Near Chiesa Russa Ortodossia is the famous casino, built in 1905 and still a winner with punters.

    reviewed

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  12. Polo Sub Dive Centre

    Polo Sub Dive Centre offers diving for €35 per immersion from the Darsena Porto in Taggia, 5km to the east.

    reviewed

  13. Solentiname

    DJ sets and live music draw crowds to this fun pizzeria-pub; you can also have lunch here in July and August.

    reviewed

  14. Flower Market

    You can watch the frenetic bidding at Italy’s principal flower market, 6km east of town.

    reviewed

  15. G

    San Remo Navigazione

    San Remo Navigazione, at the old port, runs twice-daily 1½-hour boat trips to Bordighera.

    reviewed