San Remo, situated on Italy's Riviera di Ponente, a stretch of the Mediterranean coast that extends from Genoa north to the French border, was known as a glamorous resort for Europe's 19th century rich and famous. While its reputation may have dulled a little since its heyday, the city is still an enticing destination that has much to offer the visitor, whether it's exploring the alleys and squares of the old town or hitting the beach or the casino.
San Remo was a favored destination for European royalty during the mid-19th century. The city's august visitors included Czar Nicholas II of Russia, the Russian composer Tchaikovsky and Empress Elizabeth of Austria. The luxurious villas where many of these dignitaries resided are still standing along the seafront, as is the former home of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. While none of the villas are open to the public, many have lavish, well-kept gardens that can be explored. Visitors are also drawn to the Baroque facade of the 17th century Sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa, while the Russian Orthodox church on the seafront, with its characteristic onion domes, makes for an imposing sight. The old Casino Municipale, which first opened in 1905, is a fabulous example of the "Liberty style" of architecture, the Italian version of Art Nouveau.
San Remo is known as "the city of the flowers" because of its central role in northern Italy's flower growing industry. The city's flower market, the Mercato dei Fiori, is open to dealers only, though visitors can still marvel at the sheer numbers of cut flowers changing hands in the market hall located between Piazza Colombo and Corso Garibaldi. Moreover, flowers are cultivated all over the hills situated on the outskirts of town. The plastic hoop tunnels where they are grown are ubiquitous and can be found zigzagging up and down the nearby slopes.
La Pigna, one of San Remo's most fascinating neighborhoods, can only be explored on foot. The area's name comes from the way it curls around the hill it sits upon, not unlike the scales of a pine cone. An exploration of this part of San Remo, considered the city's historic core, typically starts at the 14th century gateway called Porta di Santo Stefano. With its cobbled alleyways, squares and Renaissance era churches, this is an atmospheric part of the city that lends itself to simply wandering around. Should you find yourself getting lost in the maze of streets, however, simply head downhill towards the seafront.
Even in wintertime, San Remo continues to attract the crowds. That's when the city hosts the Festival Della Canzone Italiana, an annual music festival that's said to have been the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest. One of the city's biggest claims to fame is the Milan-San Remo Classic cycle race, which takes place on the Saturday closest to March 19th. At 298 kilometers, it is the world's longest one-day cycling race and attracts hoards of visitors keen to catch the cyclists as they sprint to the finish line. Flowers are celebrated at an annual festival held on the last Sunday in March that features a procession of floats replete with floral decorations.
