Sanremo's coastline stretches for several kilometres and changes character from west to east: pebble and coarse-sand beaches, fully equipped beach clubs below the centre, and wider free stretches towards the edges of the municipality. The Riviera dei Fiori cycle path runs along almost the entire coast, taking you from one beach to the next without a car.
In 2026 Sanremo was awarded the Blue Flag for five bathing areas: Tre Ponti, Baia di Capo Pino, Tiro a Volo, Imperatrice and Bussana. It is the municipality in the province of Imperia with the most awarded beaches. In this guide you will find them in geographical order, with practical tips to help you choose.
What the sea is like in Sanremo
Before you go, it helps to know what to expect:
- Seabed: mostly pebbles and shingle, with stretches of coarse sand. Water shoes are useful, especially for children.
- Water: in many places the seabed drops away quickly, so the water is clear just a few metres from the shore.
- Free beaches and beach clubs: below the centre, equipped beach clubs dominate; the widest free beaches are to the west (Tre Ponti) and to the east (Bussana).
- Season: beach clubs usually open from May to September; thanks to the mild climate, people in Sanremo often swim until October.
From west to east: the bathing areas
Tre Ponti: the largest free beach
At the far western end, on the border with Ospedaletti, the Tre Ponti area is home to Sanremo's largest free beach, with stretches of sand and shingle. Next to the free sections there are beach clubs, bars and canoe and pedalo hire. It is one of the five areas with a 2026 Blue Flag. It is easy to reach by bike along the cycle path.
Baia di Capo Pino and Tiro a Volo
Heading back towards the centre, the Baia di Capo Pino and the Tiro a Volo area are smaller, more sheltered stretches, both awarded the Blue Flag. They are convenient if you are staying between Coldirodi and the western seafront.
Imperatrice: the sea in town
Below corso Imperatrice, the palm-lined avenue leading to the Casino, you will find the beach clubs closest to the centre. It is the ideal area if you want to combine the beach, a stroll and some shopping without taking any transport. Here too, the 2026 Blue Flag confirms the quality of the water.
Centre, Porto Vecchio and Foce
Between Porto Vecchio and Portosole the sea is more urban, with equipped beach clubs and, in the Foce area, a municipal free beach with facilities. It is handy for a quick swim before or after lunch if you are staying in the centre.
Bussana and Cala degli Orsi
About 6 kilometres from the centre, towards Arma di Taggia, the Bussana area has wider beaches, largely free. The best known is Cala degli Orsi, with clear water and plenty of marine life near the rocks. You can get there by bike along the cycle path or by car. Bussana is the fifth Blue Flag area.
Our pick among the beach clubs
If you want an easy day with a sunlounger, umbrella, showers and lunch by the sea, we recommend Bagni Sanremo Blue Bay: attentive service and a setting that suits couples and families. In high season, book your umbrella and sunloungers a few days ahead, especially for weekends in July and August.
Free beaches and free beaches with facilities
There are two types of free beach in Sanremo:
- free beach (spiaggia libera): you turn up, lay down your towel and pay nothing;
- free beach with facilities (spiaggia libera attrezzata): access is free, but you can rent a sunlounger and umbrella, and there are often toilets and showers.
Every year the Comune publishes the list of free beaches with facilities along the coast, including the Foce area, Bussana and Tre Ponti. Check the rules posted at the entrance: opening hours, access with pets and use of the showers vary from beach to beach.
With children
For little ones, choose stretches where the water gets deeper gradually and where there is a lifeguard, usually at beach clubs and free beaches with facilities in high season. Bring water shoes, an umbrella and plenty of water. More family ideas in the guide Sanremo with children.
By bike from one beach to the next
The Riviera dei Fiori cycle path follows the old railway line for about 24 kilometres from Ospedaletti towards San Lorenzo al Mare. It is flat and separated from cars: you can set off from the centre, swim at Tre Ponti in the morning and at Bussana in the afternoon. There are bike and e-bike rentals along the route. Everything else is in the guide The Riviera dei Fiori cycle path.
Nearby beaches: Ospedaletti and Bordighera
A few minutes from Sanremo there are other beaches worth trying:
- Ospedaletti, just to the west, has small, sheltered beaches and a quiet promenade, also reachable by bike. Read Ospedaletti: what to see.
- Bordighera has the 2026 Blue Flag for its entire coastline and its marina, with pebbles and very clear water. Read Bordighera: what to see.
Practical tips
- Arrive early at free beaches in August: after 10 a.m. the best spots are taken.
- Parking: in summer the car parks near the sea fill up; walking or cycling is almost always quicker.
- Sun: even in June and September the sun is strong; use sun cream and a hat in the middle of the day.
- Respect: take your rubbish with you and respect the areas reserved for swimmers and boats.
When to go to the beach in Sanremo
- May and June: the water is still cool, but the beaches are quiet and the beach clubs are starting their season. A great time if you are looking for calm and lower prices.
- July and August: warm sea, beach clubs fully booked, free beaches crowded, especially at weekends and around Ferragosto (15 August). Book your umbrella and arrive early.
- September: for many, the ideal month. The sea is still warm, the days are long and the crowds thin out after the first week.
- October: with Sanremo's mild climate you can still swim on sunny days, although many beach clubs have closed.
Sports and water activities
The sea in Sanremo is not just about sunloungers and umbrellas:
- Canoe, kayak and SUP: available to rent at several beach clubs, especially at Tre Ponti and towards Bussana. Go out early in the morning, when the sea is calmest.
- Snorkelling: the stretches near the rocks, such as Cala degli Orsi, have interesting seabeds a few metres from the shore.
- Sailing and boat trips: boat trips leave from Porto Vecchio and Portosole and, in the right season, whale- and dolphin-watching excursions in the Pelagos Sanctuary, the marine protected area between Liguria, Corsica and the Côte d'Azur.
- Running and walking: the cycle path is used by runners every morning; in summer it is best to go out before 9 a.m.
Where to stay near the sea
The easiest way to enjoy the sea in Sanremo is to stay a few minutes from the beach: you go home for lunch, shower whenever you like and walk out in the evening. The best areas for this are the seafront, Bussana and Ospedaletti; they are explained in Where to stay in Sanremo. On Search you can filter for homes with a sea view and see each apartment's distance from the sea.