Ospedaletti is the small town between Sanremo and Bordighera, tucked into a bay between Capo Nero and Capo Sant'Ampelio. It has about 3,000 inhabitants, a quiet promenade, Liberty-style villas and a history you would not expect: a casino before Sanremo's and a circuit where Grand Prix drivers raced. It is also the starting point of the Riviera dei Fiori cycle path.
Here is what to see, how to get there and why it can be a good base for your holiday.
A name that tells a story
The name comes from a hospice, a place of hospitality for pilgrims, founded in the 14th century by the knights of the Order of St John, later known as the Knights of Rhodes. According to tradition, some of the knights landed here after a shipwreck. "Ospedaletti" therefore means, roughly, "little places of hospitality".
Villa Sultana and the first casino
In the 19th century Ospedaletti became a holiday resort for the European aristocracy, like Sanremo and Bordighera. Villa Sultana was built in 1883 and from 1884 housed what is considered Italy's first casino. Gambling stayed here until the early 1900s, when the licence passed to Sanremo. The Liberty-style building is one of the town's landmarks.
Walking along corso Regina Margherita, the tree-lined 19th-century avenue, you will see more Belle Époque villas and buildings.
The Grand Prix circuit
From 1947 to 1972 the streets of Ospedaletti hosted a street circuit. From 1947 to 1951 the Sanremo Grand Prix for cars was held here, with the great drivers of the day; after that the circuit was used mainly for motorcycle races. The track climbed and dropped through the town's bends and along the seafront.
Every year, usually at the end of September, a historic re-enactment brings vintage motorbikes and cars back to the route. Check the dates on the website of the Comune or VisitOspedaletti.
The seaside cycle path
Until 2001 the Genoa–Ventimiglia railway ran along the coast and Ospedaletti had its own station. Then the line was moved into a tunnel inland, and the old track became the Riviera dei Fiori cycle path, which runs east from Ospedaletti for about 24 kilometres to San Lorenzo al Mare.
It is flat, separated from cars and full of sea views and lit tunnels. From Ospedaletti to central Sanremo is just a few kilometres of easy cycling. In Ospedaletti the cycle path partly overlaps with the passeggiata a mare Sandro Pertini, the seafront promenade. Read The Riviera dei Fiori cycle path and E-bike tours of the Riviera dei Fiori.
The beaches
Ospedaletti's beaches are pebbles and shingle, sheltered in the bay between the two headlands. There are equipped beach clubs and free stretches, as well as small coves you can reach on foot. The sea is sheltered and in the evening the promenade is quiet, without the bustle of central Sanremo. If you want a bigger beach, Sanremo's Tre Ponti free beach is right on the border, reachable by bike. For all the beaches in the area, read Beaches in Sanremo.
Churches and places to see
- Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Baroque parish church built in the early 19th century.
- Chapel of Sant'Erasmo, a small church linked to the seafaring tradition.
- Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Porrine, on the hillside, dating from the 16th century, with views over the bay.
- Watchtowers from the 16th century, built to defend the town against raids from the sea.
- Pian d'Aschè gardens, the public gardens from the late 19th century.
The flowers
The hills around Ospedaletti are planted with flowers and ornamental plants, like the whole Riviera dei Fiori. In spring you get a good view of the terraces as you head up towards the hamlets and the paths above the town.
Events
- Historic re-enactment of the circuit, usually at the end of September.
- Piccolo Festival, a free literary festival, usually at the end of May.
Dates and programmes change every year: check before you go.
Getting there from Sanremo
- By bike or on foot: along the cycle path, the most beautiful option.
- By bus: Riviera Trasporti's Sanremo–Ventimiglia trolleybus line stops in Ospedaletti; from Sanremo station it takes just 10–15 minutes.
- By car: a few minutes on the Aurelia. In summer parking near the sea fills up early.
- By train: there is no longer a station. Get off at Sanremo or Bordighera and continue by bus.
Why stay in Ospedaletti
Ospedaletti suits people who want the sea on their doorstep and quiet evenings, with Sanremo a quarter of an hour away. It is convenient for families and cyclists, thanks to the cycle path that starts right here. For the Festival it is a calmer alternative to the centre, if you do not need to walk home from the Ariston.
Abitare's homes in Ospedaletti are on the Ospedaletti page; you can search by dates and guests on Search. To compare areas, read Where to stay in Sanremo.