The closest airport is Nice, across the French border, about an hour away by highway. We can deliver your car to arrivals and pick it up in Sanremo, or vice versa: just let us know your flight and arrival time in advance. Genoa is about an hour and 45 minutes away, and Milan is about three hours away via the highway that passes through Savona.
The French border is about half an hour away: Menton is immediately after, and Monaco is about 45 minutes away. You can find information on delivery to France on the Nice page.
We deliver to waterfront hotels, hilltop villas, and Portosole, the marina, where we can meet you at the dock when you disembark. Many villas are located along narrow, steep roads among greenhouses and olive groves: please let us know the exact entrance before delivery.
La Pigna, the old town, is a maze of uphill alleys best explored on foot. Via Matteotti, the shopping street where the Ariston Theater is located, is also best explored on foot: leave your car at the hotel and stroll down to the center.
The palm-lined Corso Imperatrice promenade takes its name from the Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna, who stayed in the city in the 19th century. A few steps away stands the Russian Orthodox church, with its onion domes, built for the Russian community who spent the winter on the Riviera.
Even Alfred Nobel chose Sanremo for his final years, and the seafront villa where he lived still bears his name. Many historic hotels date back to that period, when the Riviera was a winter destination for European aristocracy.
The old coastal railway line has been transformed into a long cycling and pedestrian path that runs through Sanremo and continues towards Ospedaletti and east, through tunnels and over cliffs. It's a pleasant way to see the coast early in the morning, before taking the car for day trips.
Bordighera, about a quarter of an hour west, has a quiet waterfront and a small, ancient hilltop village. Just before the border, at Mortola, the Hanbury Botanical Gardens descend in terraces to the sea, with plants collected from around the world.
Ventimiglia hosts a large open-air market every Friday, also frequented by the French: on that day, traffic towards the border is heavy, and it's best to leave early.
Behind the coast, the valleys rise towards the Ligurian Alps. Dolceacqua, about half an hour away in the Nervia Valley, has a humpbacked stone bridge, painted by Monet, and the Doria Castle; Rossese, a local red wine, is produced here. Not far away, Apricale is a stone village built on the ridge.
Bussana Vecchia, about ten minutes east, was abandoned after an earthquake in the late 19th century and is now an artists' village. The inland roads are narrow and full of hairpin bends: a compact car can be driven more easily here than a large SUV.
The Italian Song Festival, usually in February, and the Milan-Sanremo cycling classic held in March, along with summer, are the busiest times of the year. During those weeks, book your hotel and car in advance. During the Festival, the streets around the Ariston Theater remain crowded until late at night: pick up your car at your hotel and walk around the city center.
In winter, the Riviera is quiet and traffic flows freely on the coastal roads. If you head up towards the Ligurian Alps during the cold months, your car will be equipped with winter tires.
For an evening at the Casino or a dinner on the harbor, the natural choice is a Ferrari Roma Spider or a Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder, among our supercars . Remember that on the Riviera, the Via Aurelia passes through many towns and should be traveled at moderate speeds. For the hinterland, a Porsche 718 Boxster or an Audi RS3 is preferable.
Families and groups travel comfortably in the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, which is also useful for arriving from Nice. At the end of the trip, you can leave the car in France, for example in Monaco or Menton , or continue on to Portofino . If you're continuing from the Riviera to Nice or other French cities, keep in mind that some have low-emission zones: please let us know your itinerary in your request.
Which airport is best to arrive from? Nice is about an hour's drive away; Genoa is about an hour and 45 minutes away.
Can I pick up the car at Nice Airport and return it in Sanremo? Yes: you can start the rental in France and end it in Italy, or vice versa.
Do you deliver to the port of Sanremo? Yes, to Portosole or Porto Vecchio, at the time you disembark.
Do you need documents to travel to France? Italy and France are part of the European Union, but always carry your passport or identity card and driving license with you.
What car is best for inland villages? A compact vehicle, because the roads are narrow and parking is limited in the villages.
How far is it from Monaco? About 45 minutes by car: you can spend the evening in the Principality and return to Sanremo.
Can you drive in Pigna? No, the old town is made up of narrow streets and stairways that must be explored on foot.
Is there a risk of receiving a different car than the one you booked? No, the model is always guaranteed. If your plans change, you can cancel free of charge up to 72 hours before delivery.
