Sanremo cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: These figures run from the temporary tender facility at Portosole to Piazza Colombo, at the eastern end of Sanremo's central streets.

• Public transport: Riviera Trasporti's The Mall shuttle from Portosole to Piazza Colombo, €3 one way, about 5 minutes.

Prices checked 2026-09-08. Sources: Riviera Trasporti shuttle timetable, Sanremonews landing report.

Orientation, not a walking route

Plan for a tender call: Marella identifies Sanremo as a tender destination. Local reporting dated 28 May 2026 describes approval for a temporary landing facility at Portosole while work affects Porto Vecchio. The ship's daily programme identifies the active landing.

Portosole's operator gives its address as Via del Castillo 17, east of the old harbour; Porto Vecchio is closer to the historic centre. Note the landing name and return meeting point before leaving the ship, and allow time for tender queues at both ends of the day.

Passengers who need step-free access should use the ship's own tender-assistance information before committing to an independent outing.

About this port

Sanremo offers two quite different walks: a gentle outing through the shopping streets and along the waterfront, or a climb into La Pigna, the tightly packed old town above them. For a short call, stay in Sanremo and combine one of these with a museum or a leisurely lunch. The town is on Liguria's western Riviera, but a trip along the coast adds transport time that is unnecessary for a rewarding first visit.

Getting Around

Walking works well once you reach the central streets. Via Matteotti is a pedestrian shopping route connecting Piazza Colombo with the casino area. La Pigna is a more demanding prospect: the municipality describes only partial accessibility along selected routes. Its narrow passages and changes in level make it sensible to choose either the upper town or the flatter central area according to your mobility.

Riviera Trasporti operates Sanremo's urban and coastal buses. Its current timetable directory provides the appropriate seasonal schedules. The operator's The Mall shuttle links Portosole with Piazza Colombo in about 5 minutes for €3 one way (verified 2026-09-08).

Things to Do

Explore La Pigna. Enter through Porta di Santo Stefano and follow the lanes into the old quarter. Piazza dei Dolori and the Regina Elena gardens make useful destinations for a walk rather than trying to cover every alley. Choose your uphill limit early so that the return descent does not become a rush.

Continue to Madonna della Costa. The sanctuary occupies a viewpoint above the town and has a richly decorated Baroque interior. It is a natural extension for walkers who are comfortable climbing. Local access and worship arrangements determine interior visits.

Visit Forte Santa Tecla. This substantial waterfront fort tells a different story from the resort streets. Genoa built it in 1755–56 to impose control over Sanremo. The national museum service provides the current programme and access information.

Keep the afternoon simple. A stroll along Via Matteotti followed by time on the waterfront is a workable alternative to the climb. Buy lunch before extending your walk, and retain a clear route back to the actual tender landing.

Getting back to your ship

Portosole's operator gives its address as Via del Castillo 17, east of the old harbour; Porto Vecchio is closer to the historic centre. Note the landing name and return meeting point before leaving the ship, and allow time for tender queues at both ends of the day.

Practical Information

The currency is the euro and the language is Italian. Dial 112 for an emergency. Carry your ship's contact details and the identification it requests for reboarding.

Wear shoes with a good grip for La Pigna, and take water and sun protection. Opening hours vary between individual shops, churches and museums; a single nationwide timetable is not a useful guide. Keep the final part of your visit near the landing, allowing for any changes to tender operations.

Frequently asked

How long is the bus from Portosole to central Sanremo? About 5 minutes to Piazza Colombo on Riviera Trasporti's The Mall shuttle.

How much is the bus from Portosole to Piazza Colombo? About €3 one way on the Riviera Trasporti shuttle, verified 2026-09-08.

Do cruise ships dock or tender in Sanremo? They tender. Marella identifies Sanremo as a tender destination, and a temporary landing facility operates at Portosole during Porto Vecchio works.

Is La Pigna in Sanremo a level walk? No. La Pigna has narrow passages and changes in level, and the municipality describes only selected routes as partly accessible.