Every February the Festival della Canzone Italiana transforms Sanremo. For one week the town becomes an open-air TV studio: the Teatro Ariston, the green carpet on via Matteotti, stages in the squares, radio shows broadcasting live from bars, press conferences at the Palafiori. Even without a ticket for the theatre, experiencing it from the inside is unlike any other time of year.
There is one practical question that decides how your trip goes, though: where you stay. During Festival week, distances are measured on foot, traffic in the centre is rerouted, and finding a bed near the Ariston gets difficult as early as the autumn. This guide helps you choose an area, understand the timing and get organised if you are travelling as a group, for work or with a crew.
When is the Sanremo Festival 2027?
The 77th edition has been announced from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February 2027, at the Teatro Ariston. These are the dates released in June 2026: treat them as provisional until Rai publishes the official schedule, and always check them before booking non-refundable travel.
Bear in mind that the town comes alive in the days before. Rehearsals, press conferences and the arrival of artists, record labels, journalists and technicians usually start the weekend before: people working at the Festival often arrive between 12 and 14 February and leave on the Sunday after the final.
| What | Approximate period |
|---|---|
| Staff, press and productions arrive | weekend before the first night |
| Live shows from the Ariston | 16–20 February 2027 (to be confirmed) |
| Departures | Sunday 21 February and the following days |
How the town changes during the Festival
The heart of the Festival is a small triangle you can cover entirely on foot:
- Teatro Ariston, on via Matteotti, the pedestrian shopping street;
- the green carpet along via Matteotti, where artists parade every day;
- Palafiori, on corso Garibaldi, home to Casa Sanremo, the press room and side events;
- piazza Colombo, where stages and public spaces have been set up in recent years.
In recent years, access to the Ariston area has been managed with pedestrian checkpoints and security checks. Traffic in the centre increases sharply and car parks fill up early. The advice is simple: arrive, leave the car and get around on foot all week.
Areas within walking distance of the Teatro Ariston
The times below are approximate, at a normal pace, and are meant for comparing areas. Each of our apartment listings shows the distance from the Ariston, so you can check it before you book.
Centre and via Matteotti (0–5 minutes)
This is the choice for people who want to step out of the door and be at the Festival straight away. You are a few steps from the Ariston, the green carpet, the Casino and piazza Colombo. Pros: you walk home after the live show, which often ends after 1 a.m. Cons: it is the most sought-after and noisiest area of the week. Suits journalists, artists and staff working long hours.
Pigna and piazza Eroi Sanremesi (5–10 minutes)
The medieval old town climbs up behind the covered market. It is quieter and more intimate than the centre, with steep alleys and stairways. It works well for couples and for anyone who wants a break between one evening and the next. Keep the slopes in mind if you have heavy luggage or equipment.
Seafront and corso Imperatrice (5–15 minutes)
Heading west, past the Casino, corso Imperatrice and the lungomare Italo Calvino lead to airier homes, often with sea views. They are handy if you are mixing Festival work with walks by the sea.
Porto Vecchio and the Palafiori area (5–10 minutes)
Between the harbour and corso Garibaldi you are close to both the Ariston and the Palafiori. It is a good base if you work in the press room or at Casa Sanremo events.
Semeria and the east side (about 25–30 minutes, or by bus)
The residential areas to the east and on the hillside, such as Semeria, offer more space and more calm, often with a terrace and parking. They suit families, groups and crews who need to load equipment into a car. You reach the centre with a longer walk or by public transport.
Groups, companies and crews: how to get organised
The Festival brings in thousands of professionals: TV and radio productions, record labels, press offices, sponsors, agencies. For them, the home is an operational base. Here is what is worth asking for.
For groups
- Several apartments on the same street or in the same building, instead of one large house: everyone keeps their own hours and their own bathroom.
- Real bedrooms and beds: check that all the beds are in bedrooms and are not just sofa beds.
- Flexible check-in: anyone arriving from Rome or Milan after rehearsals can get in late at night with online check-in.
For companies and sponsors
- An invoice in the company's name, with the correct tax details from the first request.
- A single point of contact for all the homes, with one summary of dates, people and costs.
- Long stays: people setting up stands or hospitality areas often arrive a week early.
For crews and productions
- Parking or a loading area near the home, because during the Festival the centre is hard to reach by car.
- Stable Wi-Fi for uploading footage and live streams; ask for the connection speed.
- Space for equipment and the option of several sets of keys for shifts.
For requests like these there is a dedicated page, Sanremo Festival 2027: tell us your dates, the number of people and apartments and whether you need an invoice, and we will reply with a tailored proposal. For business needs all year round, see the Companies page.
When to book and what to expect from prices
Festival week is the busiest of the year in Sanremo. Homes near the Ariston are booked as early as the autumn months, and nightly prices are higher than in the rest of the winter. There is no single price list: the price depends on the area, the size and the exact dates.
Three practical tips:
- Book as soon as your dates are confirmed. If you wait until January you will find less choice, especially in the centre.
- Consider the whole week. Many homes have a longer minimum stay during the Festival.
- Look at the total price. In our search results you see the total for nights and cleaning straight away. You pay the tourist tax separately, at online check-in.
You can check dates and the total price directly on Search, filtering by number of guests.
Getting there and getting around
- By train: Sanremo station is underground, about 15 minutes' walk from the Ariston. It is the easiest option during the Festival.
- By plane: the nearest airports are Nice and Genoa. You will find journey times and connections in the guide How to get to Sanremo.
- By car: A10 motorway, Sanremo exit. Sort out your parking before you arrive.
What to do when you are not in the theatre
The Festival is not just the Ariston. During the day there are live radio shows, talks at Casa Sanremo and walks between the Pigna and the harbour. February on the Riviera is mild: a day on the cycle path or a trip to Bordighera or Menton is a good way to switch off. When it comes to eating, always book: during the Festival tables go quickly. You will find a few addresses in our guide to restaurants in Sanremo.
In short
- Announced dates: 16–20 February 2027, to be confirmed with the official schedule.
- If you are working at the Festival, choose the centre, Porto Vecchio or the Pigna; for groups with a car, consider the residential areas.
- Book early and compare the total price, not just the nightly rate.
- For groups, companies and crews, use the dedicated request form: one proposal for all the homes.