Sanremo Music Festival: Italy's song contest on the Riviera

Each winter the Sanremo Music Festival turns this Ligurian seaside town into the centre of Italian pop music. The shows at Teatro Ariston are broadcast on national television, and the whole town fills with fans, journalists and celebrations.

Fun facts

• The festival was first held in 1951 and is one of the longest-running song contests in the world.
• It has taken place at Teatro Ariston since the late 1970s.
• The winning artist is often chosen to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest.

What to see

• Teatro Ariston and the busy streets around it during festival week.
• La Pigna, the medieval old town with narrow lanes.
• The Russian Orthodox church and the Sanremo Casino.

What to taste

• Sardenaira, a local focaccia with tomato and anchovies.
• Farinata, a thin chickpea flatbread.
• Taggiasca olives and Ligurian pesto.

What to do

• Cycle or walk the coastal path built on the old railway line.
• Watch the shows with locals in a bar if you have no ticket.
• Take a day trip along the coast to Monaco or Menton.

💡 Tip: From Nice Airport take a bus or train to Nice, then a regional train along the coast to Sanremo via Ventimiglia. Theatre tickets are very limited, and hotels fill up for festival week, so book early.