01 · THE ICON
Sanremo Casino
Opened in 1905, this Art Nouveau palace with its twin turrets dominates the centre. It hosted the early editions of the Italian Song Festival from 1951, before the event moved to the nearby Ariston Theatre.
Liguria · Italy · Riviera dei Fiori
Sanremo day trip from Nice with a private driver
The city of flowers and Italian song, an hour from Nice just across the border. We drop you as close as possible to each visit, from the Casino to the old town, and take you back to your hotel whenever you are ready.
- From Nice
- About 56 km · 1 h
- Ideal format
- Half day or full day
- Best season
- All year, especially March–June and September–October
- Fare
- Per vehicle, on quotation
Why go
The closest Italian Riviera town, and one of the most elegant
Sanremo was one of the great winter resorts of the Belle Époque. Russian and British aristocrats left behind villas, an Orthodox church and the Corso Imperatrice, named in honour of Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Alfred Nobel spent his final years here. Today people come for the Art Nouveau Casino, the medieval lanes of La Pigna, the harbour and the flower growing that gave this stretch of coast its name.
It is also home to the Italian Song Festival, usually held in February, and the finish of the Milan–Sanremo cycle race in spring. The centre has limited traffic zones and the old town is best explored on foot, so a driver who drops you in the right place and waits for you saves a great deal of time.
What to see in Sanremo
Five stops to understand Sanremo
The first four are walkable from the centre; Bussana Vecchia is a few minutes' drive away.
02 · THE OLDEST
La Pigna
The medieval old town coils up the hillside like a pine cone. Vaulted passages, stairways and little squares lead up to the Madonna della Costa sanctuary, where the view takes in the whole bay.
03 · THE SURPRISE
The Russian Orthodox church
Its colourful onion domes recall the Russian colony that wintered in Sanremo. Built in the early twentieth century, the Church of Christ the Saviour stands a short walk from the seafront.
04 · THE MOST ELEGANT
Corso Imperatrice and the harbour
The palm-lined promenade runs along the sea into the heart of town. A little further on, the old harbour, the Genoese fort of Santa Tecla and Portosole marina make for a gentle late-afternoon stroll.
05 · THE ARTISTS' VILLAGE
Bussana Vecchia
This hilltop village east of Sanremo was abandoned after the 1887 earthquake, then revived by artists from the 1960s onwards. Studios, galleries and stone lanes are explored on foot.
A typical day
Nice to Sanremo and back, at your own pace
An example programme, adjusted to every request: times, stops and breaks are agreed with you before departure.
09:00 · NICE
Pick-up at your hotel
Saloon or van depending on your group, water on board. We pass Monaco and Menton, then cross the border at Ventimiglia on the motorway.
10:00 · SANREMO · LA PIGNA
The old town, walking downhill
Drop-off at the closest permitted point to the top of La Pigna. You stroll down through the lanes, pausing at the Madonna della Costa viewpoint.
12:30 · SANREMO · CENTRE
Lunch, the Casino and the Russian church
Lunch near the harbour, then a walk along Corso Imperatrice to the Orthodox church and past the Casino. Your driver meets you at the agreed point.
15:30 · BUSSANA VECCHIA
The artists' village
A few minutes' drive east. Drop-off below the village, then a walk through the studios and lanes rebuilt among the ruins.
18:00 · NICE
Drop-off at your hotel
Possible variation: Dolceacqua and its medieval bridge inland, or a stop in Menton on the way back.
The road from Nice
An hour of coastline, from the French Riviera to the Riviera of Flowers
Nice
Departure
Monaco
Optional stop
Menton
Last French town
Ventimiglia
Italian border
Sanremo
Riviera dei Fiori
Practical information
What to know before you go
Access by car
The centre has limited traffic zones and La Pigna is pedestrianised. We drop you at the closest permitted point to each visit and pick you up from the same place.
Comfortable shoes
The old town and Bussana Vecchia are explored on foot, over cobbles, steps and some steep slopes. Choose shoes with good grip rather than smooth soles.
When to go
Sanremo is pleasant all year thanks to its mild climate. Spring and early autumn bring the loveliest light and lighter traffic than the height of summer.
Festival and events
The Italian Song Festival, usually in February, fills the town and its hotels. For those dates, book your driver well ahead and allow extra time on the road.
Along the sea
A cycling and walking path has replaced the old coastal railway line. You can follow the sea on foot or by bike, with your driver collecting you at an agreed point.
Documents
Italy is in the Schengen area, but bring valid ID for every passenger. The Casino's gaming rooms apply their own entry conditions.
Our options
Three ways to discover Sanremo
TRANSFER
One way
From Nice or Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to your hotel in Sanremo, luggage included, at the time that suits you.
Price per vehicle, on quotation
MOST REQUESTED
Half day or full day
Return trip from Nice with a driver at your disposal and a programme planned with you: old town, Casino, harbour, Bussana Vecchia.
Price per vehicle, on quotation
EVENING
Casino and events
An evening at the Casino or during the Festival: we drive you there, wait for you and bring you back to Nice or Monaco at the end of the night.
Price per vehicle, on quotation
Just need a transfer?
From A to B, without a tour
For a one-way or return trip without sightseeing, the route page covers pick-up, luggage and booking.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions about Sanremo
Another question? Message us on WhatsApp and we will reply with a programme and a quotation.
How long does it take to get from Nice to Sanremo?
Allow about 1 hour for 56 km, depending on motorway traffic and your drop-off point. The route passes Monaco and Menton before the border at Ventimiglia.
Is half a day enough?
Yes, for the old town, the Casino and the seafront. A full day lets you add Bussana Vecchia, an unhurried lunch or a village inland.
Can the driver drop us in the old town?
La Pigna is pedestrianised and the centre has limited traffic zones. We drop you at the closest permitted point and meet you at the agreed place.
How much does a Sanremo trip with a driver cost?
The price is set per vehicle, not per person, depending on duration, number of passengers and stops. Send us your date on WhatsApp for a quotation.
Can we visit during the Sanremo Festival?
Yes, but demand is very high at that time, usually in February. Book early: we adjust timings to allow for traffic.
Can we combine it with Dolceacqua, Menton or Ventimiglia?
Yes, they are natural stops on the way or inland. Ventimiglia's large Friday market draws many visitors, and we plan around it.
Guest experiences
Journeys our guests remember
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Combine with
More destinations with a chauffeur
Your day in Sanremo
Tell us your date, we will handle the rest
Number of passengers, your hotel in Nice, the stops you have in mind: we come back to you with a tailored programme and a price per vehicle, confirmed before you book.
Photo credits
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, published by their authors under free licences.