Soak up the sun and smell the perfumed air in the Riviera dei Fiori, one of the most beloved stretches along Italy’s northwestern coastline approaching the French border.
Like that of its surrounding regions, the Riviera dei Fiori’s mild climate and relaxed approach to life have attracted tourists for centuries. It has traditionally been a flower-growing region, known for mimosas, buttercups and lavender. Enjoy splashing around on pebbly beaches and strolling through the wooded hills behind them. Laze in the sun eating olives and gaze out at the shimmering sea.
The focal point of the Riviera dei Fiori is the resort town of Sanremo, whose nicknames “Pearl of the Italian Riviera” and “City of Flowers” reveal its loveliness. Sanremo is also famous for olive oil production. It has a historic port, still used for boat trips and cruises.
The Sanremo town centre is a pedestrian-only, preserved medieval precinct called La Pigna, where you can stroll through centuries of Riviera life. Try your luck at the town’s lavish art nouveau-style casino and gaze at the stunning interior of the Madonna della Costa Sanctuary. Get dizzy with colour and perfume at Sanremo’s Flower Market, where you can find gorgeous local blooms.
In the bushy wilderness behind Sanremo is the Valle Argentina, perfect for hiking or cycling along the unique Riviera landscape under a big blue Mediterranean sky. This region is dotted with lush public gardens to wander through on a warm day, including those at the Villa Nobel, a gorgeous old house made into a museum of human achievement. Alfred Nobel spent the last part of his life here.
Outside Sanremo itself, visit the fortified old town centre of Ventimiglia, about 12 miles (20 kilometres) away. Drive between the regional centers in the Riviera dei Fiori or use the Trenitalia, which provides regular rail services along stunning vistas.
