Wandering Through Sanremo's Old Town

The historic old town of Sanremo is a medieval labyrinth of steep cobblestone alleys, ancient vaulted archways, and staircases rising above the city.  The streets intertwine to resemble a pine cone, hence the name "La Pigna."  Dating back to the year 1000, these streets now support thousands of tourists wandering through the alleys every year in addition to the residents.

We walk a short ways down Via Giacomo Matteotti, Sanremo's main shopping street, and turn up into the labyrinth through the first archways.

Branching off from Via Giacomo Matteotti

We first stop at a small square to view the Concattedrale di San Siro, the oldest religious building in Sanremo, built in the 12th century on the place where the first Christian church was built in 811.  We wander in and admire

Concattedrale di San Siro

Continuing up the narrow, climbing passageways, we initially wander through residential neighborhoods.

Residential alleyways

We soon find our way to the more touristic area with restaurants and shops lining the streets.

Touristic side of old town

After a fair amount of wandering, we emerge at the top of the old town and look out across the roofs and out to the Mediterranean views of the Ligurian Sea.

Getting to the top

Admiring the views

At the top of the hill, 100 meters above the sea and peering out over it all, is the Santuario della Madonna della Costa (Sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa), a Marian sanctuary dating from the 14th to 15th centuries.  We enter and explore this beautiful church.

Santuario della Madonna della Costa

We leave the beautiful hilltop and its views and descend back into the streets of the La Pigna old town, returning to the port  to look for dinner.

Leaving the hilltop

Descending into La Pigna

At the port, we spot a seafood restaurant and dine well on pacchero ragu di polpo (large tube-shaped pasta from Campania with octopus), lasagna, and grigliata mista di pesche (with tuna, prawn, scampi, squid, and fillet of seabass).

Seafood restaurant

Pacchero ragu di polpo, lasagna

Grigliata mista di pesche

What a great day and great stop in Sanremo (and a great meal).  Tomorrow we rise and catch the train to Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre (changing trains in Genoa).

Arriving in Sanremo, Italy

We take a short train ride from Nice, France, just over the border into Italy and stop at Sanremo to explore the city and spend the night.  Sanremo is located on the Mediterranean coast of Liguria and is known as a tourist destination, hosting numerous cultural events such as the Sanremo Music Festival and the Milan-San Remo cycling classic.  We find it a great city to explore with its extensive port and the ancient old town stretching back into the hills, dating back to the Roman settlements in the Middle Ages.

We arrive and start with a walk through the port.

Sanremo Casino

Walking to the port

Amusement park along the water

Santa Tecla Fort at the port (1756)

Continuing through the port

We stop for lunch along the way at a restaurant overlooking the water and the fort, Trattoria Santa Tecla, and dine fabulously on stuffed squash blossoms, squid ink risotto, seafood ravioli, and spaghetti aglio e olio.

Squash blossoms, risotto

Pastas

After lunch, we continue our stroll along the port, passing rows of restaurants facing the harbor and all kinds of ships and boats from luxury yachts to simple fishing craft.

Restaurants facing the water

Boats and ships in the port

Old lighthouse

We stroll from the port back into the main town and over to the main shopping street, Via Giacomo Matteotti.

Leaving the port

Passing through side streets

Reaching Via Giacomo Matteotti

The walk through the port is scenic and enjoyable, especially with a stop for lunch.  Now it's time to head up into the hills and explore the old town.