Hotel Regina Margherita
Bordighera - Via Regina Margherita,34
Hotel Regina Margherita is situated in Bordighera, 33 km from Nice.
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At the foot of the Maritime Alps, between Sanremo and Ventimiglia, lies another Ligurian resort famous for its wonderful climate, palm trees and elegant villas that evoke the splendour of cultured tourism in the early twentieth century: Bordighera, the last Italian mooring for tourist boats before reaching France.
With Roman origins, the town is divided into two areas: a medieval historic centre, a typical fortified village characterised by a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and staircases, and a nineteenth-century extension overlooking the sea.
The first to stay in Bordighera and fall in love with it were the English, attracted by mild temperatures year-round. They discovered breathtaking sea views and a large variety of plants comprising both native species and exotic varieties that flourished in the local climate.
But the English weren’t alone in falling under Bordighera’s spell: Claude Monet stayed for months in his relentless attempt to capture light on canvas (he painted 34 works here); Italy’s first queen had her residence built here. Bordighera’s reputation as a destination for elite tourism continues today, fuelling a luxury property market that attracts buyers from around the world.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a billionaire to enjoy the azure sea, leisurely strolls to the sound of waves, lush gardens and delicious dinners featuring traditional Ligurian dishes. The choice of hotels in Bordighera includes options for all budgets; the town is easily accessible by car or public transport, and thanks to the Riviera’s particular climate, you can visit year-round.
Give it some thought. Bordighera is ideal as a base for a seaside holiday, a destination for a splendid day trip from Liguria’s coastal resorts or an unusual weekend break.
The entire town of Bordighera, from the seafront to the Upper Town passing through the medieval centre, is rich with evidence of the presence of illustrious visitors in the past. Nobles, scholars and artists who stayed here left behind villas, gardens and other treasures that make Bordighera an interesting tourist destination.
Among the many things to see in Bordighera, here are the unmissable attractions.
Like every seaside town, Bordighera too has its seafront promenade that by day is perfect for relaxing to the sound of waves and by evening becomes a fashionable showcase for tourists and locals alike.
The Argentina Seafront in Bordighera stands out among all the pedestrian streets of the Ponente Riviera that extend parallel to the shoreline because it’s the longest: approximately 2 km of walking squeezed between the sea and the lush gardens of Bordighera’s villas.
The promenade is named after Evita Peron: it was the “Argentine Madonna” herself who inaugurated it in 1947.
Among the wealthy English who settled in Bordighera was Clarence Bicknell, an eclectic figure of vast culture who lived between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
A great botany enthusiast, Bicknell moved to Bordighera in 1878, where he remained until his death. In 1888 he founded the museum bearing his name, conceived as an oasis of tranquillity conducive to study and contemplation and as a meeting point for international intellectuals.
For tourists visiting, the Clarence Bicknell Museum-Library is a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of the centre and beaches. You can visit, alone or with a guide, Bicknell’s elegant villa, now home to the International Institute of Ligurian Studies, and the splendid garden of exotic plants.
The main attraction (and it really is!) are two Ficus macrophylla, two gigantic trees of Australian origin famous for their impressive dimensions and the intricate network of roots descending from above like vines.
Another extraordinary oasis of greenery just steps from Bordighera’s bustling hubs is the Pallanca Exotic Garden, a carefully maintained botanical garden specialising in cacti and succulents.
Privately owned but open to the public, the garden boasts one of the world’s most important collections of this type of plant, comprising more than three thousand varieties.
The vast garden covers 10,000 square metres and extends across sandstone rocks that drop sheer to the sea, representing the slopes of an ancient volcano. Paths, steps, shaded areas and viewpoints have been carved into the rock where you can relax and admire a breathtaking landscape in peace and quiet.
The pride and shame of Bordighera is the splendid Villa Margherita, built at the behest of an illustrious guest of Bordighera: Margherita of Savoy. Italy’s queen first arrived in the Ligurian town in 1879 and returned on countless occasions; she had the villa built in 1914 and died there in 1926.
The elegant neo-baroque building is located in an enviable position halfway up the hillside, above the central via Romana. From its terraces you can enjoy a breathtaking sea view; its sumptuously furnished rooms are steeped in history.
A demanding restoration project had returned the villa to its former splendour, converting it into a prestigious museum venue. Following the collapse of a wall in 2014, however, the villa was closed and, in typically Italian fashion, became the subject of dispute between the foundation that managed it and local administrations.
While awaiting its reopening to the public, you’ll have to content yourself with admiring it from the outside and perhaps indulging in romantic musings about palace life. Be careful not to confuse this villa with a luxury hotel that bears the same name!
Entirely different is the charm emanating from the Church of Sant’Ampelio, a small Romanesque church built on the rocks at the eastern end of the Argentina Seafront.
Small in size and very simple, lacking elaborate decorations and famous works of art, the little church is dear to the locals because it’s connected to the worship of the patron saint celebrated on 14 May (the saint’s relics are, however, preserved in the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena, dating from the seventeenth century).
Tourists also love it for its position right by the sea, as if it were a sentinel watching over the coast. The cape of the same name on which the church stands represents the southernmost point of the Ligurian Riviera and is at the same latitude as the city of Pisa. The locals have given names to all the rocks: you can have fun guessing which one is the Scoglio Alto, the Coccodrillo, the Carro Armato, the Scoglio degli Inglesi…
Built in the eleventh century, the Church of Sant’Ampelio has been recently restored and deserves a visit.
After the seafront, the other unmissable walk in Bordighera is the Beodo Trail, an easy-going route that follows the course of the ancient aqueduct channel (called béodo in the local dialect).
The trail just outside the Upper Town follows a mid-slope path before climbing the valley of a stream and leads to the hamlet of Sasso situated inland.
In the first stretch the trail is bordered by typical dry stone walls. Throughout your walk your gaze will be captured by palm trees, succulents, broom, olive trees, mimosas, glimpses of the sea and very lazy cats.
As you stroll along Bordighera’s seafront you’ll come across a former powder magazine that locals call Il Marabutto. Three cannons are still present, given the names of Butafoegu, Tiralogni and Cagastrasse.
A must-see attraction for music enthusiasts and incurable nostalgics is the romantic Song Museum in Vallecrosia, a village just 4 km from Bordighera’s centre.
Devised by Elio Tripodi and inaugurated in 1987 by Luciano Pavarotti, this small museum inside the Seven Notes Park is a delightful treasure chest preserving wonders from days gone by such as music boxes, carillons, jukeboxes, radios and other sound reproduction devices still in perfect working order that will introduce you to the history of recorded sound.
On display you’ll also find memorabilia from famous singers and musicians including Giacomo Puccini’s passport, Adriano Celentano’s guitar, Fausto Papetti’s saxophone and Gorni Kramer’s accordion.
The museum venue is unconventional and highly romantic: it’s actually an authentic steam train from the early twentieth century.
The beaches of Bordighera extend parallel to the historic centre, along the entire town, and are almost all pebble beaches with stretches of coarse sand.
At the western end of Bordighera’s shoreline is Rattaconigli Beach, the largest of the town’s beaches. It’s largely a free beach equipped with essential services such as showers and public changing rooms; there are a few bars offering sun lounger rentals and two beach clubs.
Rattaconigli Beach includes a dog-friendly area called Bau Beach for those travelling with four-legged friends: shaded structures, enclosures and other services for dogs are available.
The stretch of beach from Rattaconigli towards the railway station is the most popular, suitable for people of all ages. Beach clubs follow one after another; you’ll find bars, children’s play areas, a swimming pool, sports equipment rental and evening entertainment.
To the east of the station are the beaches closest to the centre: this is the best area for seaside restaurants.
If you prefer fewer crowds, head to the Arziglia Beach10
If instead you want a wilder setting, you can do as the more adventurous locals do, namely swim among the rocks of Sant’Ampelio. It’s the best area for snorkelling.
Bordighera is just 5 km from Ventimiglia, so keep it in mind if you want to change beach for a day. The loveliest beach in this area is certainly Balzi Rossi Beach.
Other famous easily accessible seaside resorts from Bordighera include Diano Marina, Arma di Taggia, San Lorenzo al Mare, Alassio.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Holiday accommodation in Bordighera is concentrated in two areas: the seafront and the old town.
Hotels by the sea, both budget and luxury options, are generally the most sought-after accommodation, so if you want a room with a view it’s best to book well in advance. Many hotels are housed in historic buildings, but you’ll also find modern design hotels.
In the historic centre, bed & breakfasts, guest houses, studios and apartments predominate. You’ll find both simple accommodation at budget prices and charming options suited to a romantic holiday or for anyone wanting something more refined.
If you want to treat yourself to a dream stay, go for spa hotels with 4 or 5 stars located on the seafront or near the centre.
We offer a selection of hotels at Bordighera to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Bordighera, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Bordighera. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Bordighera are in high demand.
Administratively, Bordighera is part of the province of Imperia.
Reaching Bordighera by car is straightforward: simply take the A10 motorway Genoa-Ventimiglia, exit at Bordighera and follow signs for the centre.
Arriving in Bordighera by train is also easy as the town is located on an important railway line connecting the whole of Liguria. The railway station is in the town centre, facing the seafront.
The nearest airport is Nice in France, served by low-cost flights from numerous Italian cities; from there you’ll need to reach Ventimiglia by train and then continue by train or bus. The nearest Italian airport is Genoa.
What's the weather at Bordighera? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Bordighera for the next few days.
Bordighera is Liguria's southernmost municipality, situated along the Riviera dei Fiori coastline, a short distance from Sanremo (13 km) and Ventimiglia (4 km). The French border lies approximately 20 km away, with renowned destinations such as Nice and Monte Carlo easily within reach; Genoa, however, is considerably further at around 150 km.
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