City of palms beloved by Claude Monet, Belle Époque retreat of Charles Garnier, Bordighera offers from Monaco an Italian interlude of discreet elegance, less than an hour by train from Port Hercule.
Just one hour by train from Monaco, Bordighera reveals one of the gentlest escapes on the Italian Riviera. The first Ligurian town lined with palm trees, an elegant Belle Époque resort, a refuge for Claude Monet, and a land of exotic gardens, Bordighera captivates with its unique light and tranquil atmosphere. Just 25 kilometres from Port Hercule, it is the ideal day trip for Port Palace guests who wish to taste Italy without straying far from the Principality. Here is our complete guide, crafted with the advice of our concierge, to discover Bordighera like an insider.
Why Bordighera, the hidden pearl of the Italian Riviera
Located in the province of Imperia, Liguria, Bordighera is the first major Italian town past the French border, just beyond Ventimiglia. It enjoys an exceptional microclimate that earned it the nickname "city of palms": its gardens host more than 30,000 specimens, including the famous date palms whose blessed fronds still travel to the Vatican every year.
In the 19th century, the resort became the discreet retreat of the European aristocracy. Queen Margherita of Italy stayed here regularly, the Romanovs had their habits, and Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera and the Monte-Carlo Casino, built his personal villa here. This Belle Époque elegance remains palpable in the pastel facades of the town centre and along the Lungomare Argentina, the longest pedestrian promenade on the Riviera.
Today, Bordighera retains the quiet dignity of resorts that resisted mass tourism. Visitors come for the beauty of its medieval old town, the quality of its Ligurian cuisine, its discreet beaches, and a light that painters have been pursuing for a hundred and fifty years.
💡 Concierge's tip
« To experience Bordighera like a local, leave Monaco early and start with a cappuccino on Piazza Eroi della Libertà before the streets of Bordighera Alta come alive. The morning light is exceptional on the pastel facades, and the old town will be almost entirely yours until 10am. »
How to get to Bordighera from Monaco
Access from Monaco is one of Bordighera's great advantages. Several options are available depending on your budget, your time, and how much comfort you want.
By train: the easiest option
From Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, a five-minute walk from the Port Palace, the journey to Bordighera takes between 45 minutes and 1h15 depending on connections. The Franco-Italian line serves Monaco, Menton, Garavan, Ventimiglia, and then Bordighera. Almost all trains require a change at Ventimiglia, where you step off the TER ZOU ! and board a regional Italian Trenitalia train. The connection generally takes 10 to 25 minutes.
The first train leaves Monaco around 6.40am, the last around 11.53pm. Expect 18 to 22 daily departures in each direction. The ticket starts at 8.80 euros one-way in second class, available at station machines or via SNCF Connect for the French section and Trenitalia for the Italian section. On arrival, Bordighera station is a less-than-five-minute walk from the Lungomare Argentina and ten minutes from the historic centre.
By car
The A8 motorway, then A10 on the Italian side, links Monaco to Bordighera in 30 minutes outside peak traffic, via the Bordighera exit. Allow about 8 euros for tolls. Parking in the town centre remains accessible but requires patience in high season. The most convenient paid car parks are along the Lungomare Argentina, near the station, and around Piazza Eroi della Libertà. The immediate surroundings of the old town (Bordighera Alta) lie in a restricted zone (ZTL), so avoid driving in.
By private transfer
For maximum comfort, our guests favour a private transfer arranged in advance. A premium sedan or a high-end van picks you up at the hotel and drops you wherever you wish in Bordighera, with no schedule constraints. Allow around 30 minutes depending on traffic and the border. This option is particularly suited to families, couples planning a dinner in Bordighera, or any traveller carrying market purchases.
💡 Concierge's tip
« A direct train without a change is available at certain hours, mainly mid-morning and late afternoon: check connections the day before to save 25 minutes. Buy your tickets at the machines before boarding; the on-board surcharge is 5 euros. For evening returns, keep your ticket until the exit of the Italian station, where it will be checked. »
What to see in Bordighera: the highlights
Bordighera is best discovered on foot. The town stretches along the sea between the station to the north and Capo Sant'Ampelio to the south, with the modern shopping centre in the middle and the old town perched on the hill. A day is enough to grasp the essentials; two days let you fully enjoy the beach and surrounding excursions.
Bordighera Alta, the medieval old town
Set on a promontory southwest of the modern town, Bordighera Alta has kept its Middle Ages ramparts intact, reinforced in the 16th century. You enter through the Porta del Capo, one of three historic gates, into a maze of cobbled lanes, shaded squares, and ochre-coloured houses. The silence is striking, broken only by footsteps and the conversations of locals.
Do not miss the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena, the main church of the old town, and the Piazza del Popolo, which offers an open view of the sea and the Capo. Several family-run trattorias serve authentic Ligurian cuisine at reasonable prices, away from the tourist circuits along the seafront.
Capo Sant'Ampelio and its Romanesque church
At the southern tip of the town, Capo Sant'Ampelio is the southernmost point of Liguria. The small Romanesque church, built in the 11th century in honour of Bordighera's patron saint, stands over the sea, set on a rock surrounded by palms and prickly pears. The chapel has been restored over the centuries but retains its pure silhouette and original crypt. It is one of the most photographed viewpoints on the Riviera, particularly at sunset.
The Villa Garnier and the legacy of Charles Garnier
Architect Charles Garnier, famous for the Paris Opera and the Monte-Carlo Casino, fell in love with Bordighera during a stay in 1872 and built his personal residence here, completed in 1873. The Villa Garnier, restored by his family and later turned into a hotel, has preserved its original botanical park. It was in this garden that Claude Monet, a friend of Garnier, came to paint during his 1884 stay. Several of the olive trees you can see today appear in his canvases.
The Lungomare Argentina, the longest promenade on the Riviera
Inaugurated in 1947 by Eva Perón, the Lungomare Argentina stretches for nearly two kilometres between Capo Sant'Ampelio and the town centre. Lined with palms, Belle Époque villas, and pebbly beaches, this pedestrian promenade is one of the longest on the Riviera. People walk it, run it, lunch in the seaside bagni, or simply pause to admire the particular light that inspired so many painters.
The Giardino Esotico Pallanca
At the northern entrance of the town, the Pallanca garden has gathered, since 1910, more than 3,000 species of cacti, agaves, and succulents from around the world, planted on terraces along the sunlit slopes overlooking the sea. The site has belonged to the same family for four generations and represents one of the finest succulent collections in Europe. Allow an hour and a half for the visit. Entry is around 8 euros.
Reach Bordighera by train from Monaco, just 5 minutes from the hotel.
Check availabilityBordighera and Claude Monet: in the painter's footsteps
Claude Monet arrived in Bordighera in January 1884, after a stop in Menton. Won over by the light of the Ligurian coast and by the invitation of his friend Charles Garnier, he extended his three-week stay into three months. He left with 38 paintings, in which he sought to capture the particular colour of the Italian sky, the silver olives of the Garnier park, and the whiteness of the villas. Several of these canvases are now held at the Musée Marmottan in Paris, the Sammlung Würth in Germany, and the Museum Barberini in Potsdam.
For painting enthusiasts, the Monet itinerary in Bordighera centres on four points: the Villa Garnier park, where he set up his easel; Capo Sant'Ampelio, whose silhouette he painted; the Strada Romana, an ancient route overlooking the town; and the Lungomare, which he walked daily. The municipality has installed several interpretive panels along this route, with reproductions of the canvases at the points of view they capture.
💡 Concierge's tip
« To follow the Monet itinerary in the best conditions, start at Capo Sant'Ampelio mid-morning and walk back up the Strada Romana to the Villa Garnier park. Three hours are enough to see the essentials. Our concierge team can provide a dossier reproducing Monet's works at the exact spots where they were painted, for a more immersive experience. »
The most beautiful beaches in Bordighera
Bordighera offers about a dozen public beaches (spiagge libere) and private ones (bagni) that stretch along the coast. The surface is mostly fine pebbles mixed with sand. The water is clear and the slope gentle, which makes swimming very accessible.
The Lungomare Argentina beach
It is the liveliest and the easiest to reach. It alternates public sections and private establishments (bagni) offering loungers, parasols, seaside restaurants, and water sports. Expect 20 to 35 euros per day for a lounger and parasol in high season, depending on the establishment and location. Several bagni offer a lunch package from around 35 euros.
The Spiaggia di Sant'Ampelio
Located at the foot of the Capo, this small public beach combines pebbles and rocks. Less crowded than the Lungomare, it is ideal for snorkelling thanks to the clear water and the posidonia meadows. The sunset is splendid from the church terrace above.
The Spiaggia dei Pennoni
Further north, this discreet strip favoured by locals stands out for its authentic, less commercial character. A few bagni offer simple services, and a quiet corner is easy to find even in July and August.
The Bordighera market: a must-attend event
Bordighera's weekly market is held every Thursday morning, along the Lungomare Argentina and the adjacent streets, from around 7am to 1pm. More modest than the Ventimiglia market (held on Friday), it offers a calmer atmosphere, better sized for a quiet morning. You will find Italian clothing and linen, leather goods, flowers, seasonal fruit and vegetables, Ligurian cheeses, warm focaccia, cured meats, and local olive oil.
For an extra dose of Italian experience, combining it with the large Ventimiglia Friday market lets you alternate two very different atmospheres in a single weekend from Monaco.
Where to eat in Bordighera: our favourite addresses
Ligurian cuisine is defined by its simplicity and the quality of its products: focaccia, stuffed pastas (pansoti, ravioli), basil pesto, fried fish, sardenaira (the Ligurian onion and anchovy pizza), and taggiasche olive oils. In Bordighera, several places are worth your time.
In the old town, several family trattorias serve authentic traditional cuisine at reasonable prices, around 30 to 45 euros per person. Along the Lungomare, the bagni offer beachside menus with fresh fish and antipasti, perfect for a lunch with your feet in the sand. For a gastronomic dinner, several seaside tables present a refined menu blending local seafood and Mediterranean inspiration. Booking is recommended, particularly in July and August.
When to visit Bordighera
Bordighera's microclimate makes for a pleasant visit from April to October, but each season has its own appeal.
From April to June, temperatures range between 18 and 25 degrees, ideal for walks, exploring the old town, and the first sea swims. The peak of attendance falls between mid-July and the end of August, when Italian and French holidaymakers converge on the Ligurian coast. September offers an exceptional balance: the sea is still warm, temperatures stay summer-like, and visitor numbers ease. October keeps Mediterranean mildness while freeing up the beaches.
What to do around Bordighera
Bordighera fits into a string of villages and towns that deserve excursions of their own. Within half an hour or less, several destinations enrich a stay in Monaco.
Ventimiglia
Five minutes west by train, Ventimiglia is worth a detour for its giant Friday market, its medieval old town, and the Hanbury gardens at the French border.
Sanremo
Twenty-five kilometres east, Sanremo retains its Belle Époque casino, its flower-lined promenade, and its old town. It is the Ligurian Riviera's other great resort, livelier and more cosmopolitan than Bordighera.
Dolceacqua
In the hinterland, twenty minutes by car, the medieval village of Dolceacqua aligns its houses on a rocky outcrop crowned by the ruins of the Doria castle. Its 15th-century stone bridge inspired Monet for two of his canvases. It is a short but memorable stop, best combined with a tasting of Rossese wine.
Bordighera from the Port Palace: organising your excursion
Staying at the Port Palace, a boutique hotel on Port Hercule, makes access to Bordighera remarkably simple. Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and our team can accompany you through every step of your Italian day.
Our guests benefit from a concierge service that can book your train tickets, arrange a private transfer to Bordighera, secure a table at a trattoria in the old town, or simply provide a personalised itinerary based on your interests. For travellers combining Bordighera with other destinations, our complete guide to transport in Monaco offers every key to exploring the Riviera.
Once back, your market finds and gourmet souvenirs naturally find their place in our suites overlooking Port Hercule, where you can extend the Italian experience with a glass of Dolceacqua Rossese facing the yachts. For travellers planning more excursions across the border, our guide to visiting Menton and our guide to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin map out the coastal villages between Monaco and Bordighera.
Port Palace Monaco
Experience Monaco and the Italian Riviera from Port Hercule
Five minutes on foot from the train station, our port-facing suites are the ideal starting point for a getaway to Bordighera. Our concierge team arranges your tickets, bookings, and transfers for an effortless Italian day.
Book your stayPractical information to prepare your visit
Frequently asked questions about Bordighera
How to get to Bordighera from Monaco?
The best option is the train from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, a five-minute walk from the Port Palace. The journey takes 45 minutes to 1h15 with a change at Ventimiglia, for a fare starting at 8.80 euros one-way. The car is a practical alternative in 30 minutes outside peak traffic via the A8 then A10.
What to see in Bordighera in one day?
An ideal itinerary starts with the Bordighera Alta old town in the morning, then descends towards Capo Sant'Ampelio and its Romanesque church. Lunch in a trattoria in the centre or on the Lungomare, then an afternoon dedicated to the Pallanca garden and the Argentina promenade until sunset at the Capo.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Bordighera?
The Lungomare Argentina beach is the most accessible and liveliest, with its private bagni and public sections. The Spiaggia di Sant'Ampelio offers a wilder setting ideal for snorkelling, and the Spiaggia dei Pennoni remains the calmest option, favoured by locals.
When is the Bordighera market held?
The weekly market takes place every Thursday morning, from around 7am to 1pm, along the Lungomare Argentina and adjacent streets. More modest than the Ventimiglia Friday market, it offers clothing, leather goods, flowers, and Ligurian products in a relaxed atmosphere.
Why did Claude Monet paint in Bordighera?
Claude Monet stayed in Bordighera from January to April 1884, invited by his friend the architect Charles Garnier, who owned his personal villa here. Captivated by the unique light of the Ligurian coast, he painted 38 canvases featuring the Garnier park, the palms, Capo Sant'Ampelio, and the Strada Romana. Several of these paintings are now at the Musée Marmottan in Paris.
What is the best time to visit Bordighera?
April to June for mildness and walking, September for warm sea and moderate visitor numbers. July and August remain the busiest and most crowded months. Bordighera's microclimate makes a visit pleasant year-round, even in winter when temperatures stay above 12 degrees.
Bordighera is one of those destinations you return from with the feeling of having uncovered a well-kept secret. Between the dignity of its Belle Époque heritage, the beauty of its medieval old town, the calm of its beaches, and the light that inspired Monet, the pearl of the Riviera dei Fiori offers, from Monaco, an Italian interlude of rare elegance. The Port Palace, a boutique hotel on Port Hercule, is its natural starting point: five minutes from the station, one hour from Bordighera, and with a team that turns every excursion into a privileged moment.
