Sal Da Vinci Wins Sanremo 2026 with Per Sempre Sì

This article recaps the 76th Festival di Sanremo, where Sal Da Vinci triumphed with the ballad “Per sempre sì” and earned the chance to fly Italy’s flag at Eurovision 2026.

Beyond the music, it also touches on the festival’s star power, hosts, and unforgettable moments, while weaving in a travel lens that celebrates the Italian Riviera’s coastlines and towns.

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Overview of the 76th Festival di Sanremo

The week-long event brought together 30 artists across five nights, each with its own voting dynamics and a special cover night on Friday.

From powerful performances to surprise collaborations, Sanremo 2026 showcased Italy’s diverse pop scene and its enduring love affair with live music under the Ligurian skies.

Winner, voting, and song details

Sal Da Vinci, born Salvatore Michael Sorrentino, won the Superfinal, beating fellow finalists Sayf, Ditonellapiaga, Arisa, and Fedez & Masini.

The winning song, “Per sempre sì”, was co-written by Alessandro La Cava, Eugenio Maimone, Federica Abbate, Federico Mercuri, Francesco Sorrentino, Giordano Cremona, and Salvatore Michael Sorrentino.

The final voting split was 33% press jury, 33% radio jury, and 34% televote, underscoring a balanced appeal across media and viewers.

The festival’s structure over five nights, with a dedicated cover night on Friday, highlighted both the evolving tastes of Italian audiences and the enduring love for big-stage performances.

The win secures Da Vinci’s place as Italy’s Eurovision entrant for 2026, adding a contemporary chapter to a career that began in childhood and includes a prior Sanremo appearance in 2009 finishing in third place.

Notable moments, hosts, and milestones

Among the memorable moments were interval acts by legends and contemporary stars alike: Andrea Bocelli sang “Il mare calmo della sera” and “Con te partirò”.

The scene also featured performances by Pooh and Max Pezzali.

The final night was hosted by Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini, with Giorgia Cardinaletti and Nino Frassica joining on stage.

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A notable administrative moment came when Conti announced he would step down and named Stefano De Martino as his successor for 2027.

Awards recognizing other talents included Fulminacci (Critics Award), Serena Brancale (Press Award), Fedez & Masini (Best Lyrics), and Ditonellapiaga (Best Composition).

These honors underscore the festival’s role in spotlighting a broad spectrum of Italian pop, indie, and singer-songwriter work.

Italy’s Eurovision outlook

The Festival di Sanremo continues to be a launchpad for Italy’s Eurovision ambitions.

As a Big-5 country, Italy automatically advances to the Grand Final of Eurovision, a status it has leveraged in recent years to deliver memorable performances on Europe’s biggest stage.

With Sal Da Vinci taking the mantle for 2026, fans can anticipate a performance that blends classic Italian vocal prowess with contemporary stagecraft.

This promises an ideal showcase for the nation’s modern pop identity.

From Sanremo to the Italian Riviera: travel vibes inspired by the festival

For travelers, the festival’s glamour provides an invitation to explore Liguria’s famed Italian Riviera—a coastline that pairs glamorous resort towns with rugged coastal beauty.

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If you’re planning a Ligurian itinerary, you can weave in music-inspired stops along the coast and in the nearby cities that have long shaped Italy’s cultural landscape.

Sanremo
Genoa (Genova)
Imperia
Savona
Albenga
Alassio
Finale Ligure
Pietra Ligure
Rapallo
Portofino
Santa Margherita Ligure
Camogli
Sestri Levante
Chiavari

From the flowering promenades of Sanremo to the historic ports of Genoa, the Riviera offers exquisite seafood and pastel-colored villages.

Terraced olive groves echo the festival’s celebratory mood.

It is easy to trace a musical map from the glamour of the Riviera’s capital towns to the intimate harbors of smaller coves.

Each stop offers a different tempo of life.

Whether you’re strolling the waterfronts of Portofino or exploring the old town lanes of Camogli, you’ll feel the heartbeat of Italy’s musical soul mirrored in the coast’s timeless beauty.

The Riviera’s towns—from Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure to Alassio and Finale Ligure—provide a blend of culture, cuisine, and coastline that complements the excitement of Sanremo’s festival season.

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