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Beaches in the province of Imperia
The province of Imperia stretches from Cervo to Ventimiglia in western Liguria
This part of Italy is also called Blumenriviera. There are many child-friendly sandy beaches in this place, and also quiet gravel and stone bays.
Ventimiglia
In Ventimiglia you will find mostly gravel and stone beaches. There is a large public beach along the Lungomare Varaldo promenade, near the centre of the coastal town. You are highly discouraged from visiting the beach on Fridays with your car because on that day there is a weekly market along the promenade and in the town centre, and as a result parking places are very much in demand. If you want to have a break from the usual beach atmosphere, you can go and visit the Balzi Rossi grottos in the neighbourhood or the botanical gardens of the Hanbury Villa.
In the noble coastal resort of Bordighera you will find mostly gravel beaches as well as beautiful stone bays. There is a wide variety of water sports facilities there. The gentle mild climate is very suitable for swimming not only in summer. The beaches at the Capo Sant’Ampelio - Rattaconigli and Capo Sant’Ampelio - Termini are proud winners of the blue flag for quality and cleanliness.
Ospedaletti
The village of Ospedaletti is the end point of the Pista Ciclabile. The sea glitters in this place with beautiful turqoise colours due to the gravel and stone beaches. However, you will also find some small bays with sandy beaches and shallow water – a true paradise for families with small children. Even divers will get their money’s worth, because there are also bays with deep water along the same coast. The beaches in Ospedaletti are mostly visited by local inhabitants, and that’s why they are not so filled up with tourists - a good secret tip for a somewhat quieter beach experience.
Insider Tip
Jump on your bicycle and discover beautiful secluded beaches just off the Pista Ciclabile! In this way you can tour the various villages and their beaches without having to undergo a stressful search for parking places. The villages with a offer direct access to the bicycle and walking paths along the sea.
At the entrance to the village you can access a very clean beach through the Pista Ciclabile, which beach consists mainly of sand. Near the paying Noleggio beach you can visit a public stone beach and directly afterwards go to a public gravel beach; both of them are not so full of people.
When you are right in San Remo, shortly before you reach the paying Lido Fontana beach, there is a beautiful public beach which even offers you the possibility of renting beach lounges. If you want to plan your day in a more varied manner, Sanremo has a lot more to offer you: e.g. the casino, the Nobel Villa, Theater Ariston and the Via Matteotti shopping street for all your shopping needs.
There are both stone and sand beaches in Bussana. From here you can have a wonderful view of the flower town Sanremo! You should also use this same opportunity to visit a top excursion destination on the Ligurian coast: the artist’s village of Bussana Vecchia above Bussana.
In Arma di Taggia you will find a public beach near the Nuova Playa Manola (Via Lungomare) Restaurant, right next to the volleyball pitch; the beach also offers a children’s playground, in addition to the volleyball pitch. You can also surf the internet free of charge along the entire coast in Arma di Taggia, by connecting to the local wireless network. Bagni Ruffini is recognized with the blue flag.
In the village of Santo Stefano al Mare you will also find some small sections of sand beach here and there, apart from the somewhat larger public beach.
The descent into the sea is particularly flat in this area, and the fact that the beaches are surrounded by rocks makes them particularly suitable for families with small children. You will also find some cafés, ice-cream parlours, bars, restaurants and small beach shops at the Santo Stefano al Mare promenade.
In San Lorenzo al Mare you will get both a rock as well as a public sandy beach. The San Lorenzo al Mare public sandy beach is just a few meters away from the church and next to the small fishing boat harbour.
The U Nostromu/Prima Punta and Baia delle Vele beaches are recognized with the blue flag for quality and cleanliness.
The village is also the starting point for the bicycle track Pista Ciclabile, which runs approx. 26 km from here directly along the coast up to Ospedaletti. If you follow the stretch from San Lorenzo al Mare up to Santo Stefano al Mare, you will always find opportunities of staying in some small bathing bays, with stone, gravel, and sandy beaches.
Imperia (Porto Maurizio and Oneglia)
There are various beach sections in the district of Porto Maurizio:
Borgo Prino
If you drive almost to the fringes of Imperia (towards Sanremo) you will reach Borgo Prino. At the beginning there is a small public sandy beach section, and farther back are again some public gravel and rock beaches. From there you can enjoy the panoramic view of the multicoloured houses from the old town centre of Porto Maurizio, or the Torre Prarola on the other side.
Borgo Cappuccini
Bordering Borgo Foce are the Borgo Cappuccini gravel and rock beaches. Bars and restaurants located directly by the sea beckon you to have some refreshment during or after sunbathing.
Borgo Foce
From Borgo Marina you can follow the Lungomare Domenico Moriani pedestrian and bicycle path on the lower side of the Via Aurelia coastal street; this path will lead you up to Borgo Foce. The Foce Beach is a public gravel and rock beach with service (to some extent you can hire beach lounges, and there is a bar).
Imperia Borgo Marina
Apart from the “Bagni Buraxen” beach in Borgo Marina (first beach from up), you can walk a few steps down and you will find a non-paying gravel/stone beach (dogs allowed); if you continue towards Sanremo, you will yet find 2 more non-paying beaches (dogs not permitted).
The public sand beach called “Orange Beach” is found at Spiaggia d’Oro (from the port you go along Banchina Medaglie d’Oro), between the paying Bagni beaches. From that beach there is a wonderful view of the Parasio old town district.
Imperia Oneglia
There are numerous bathing possibilities along the old street connecting Diano Marina to Imperia. This car-free stretch is also suitable for jogging, inline skating or cycling. The beach in Imperia Oneglia is a rock and gravel beach, so we recommend that you wear bathing shoes. There is a children’s playground at the promenade, as well as some bars for snacks.
If you continue in the direction of Diano Marina, the gravel beach will increasingly give way to a purely sandy beach. Diano Marina is particularly popular among families with small children due to its sandy beach and the flat descent into the sea. Even those who love activity-packed holidays will get their money’s worth in Diano Marina with its numerous water sports opportunities like surfing and beach volleyball. Diano Marina is a holiday destination for all beach holiday makers – after sunbathing one can take a nice stroll along the promenade. After a stroll along the promenade, one should also absolutely enjoy an Italian Cappuccino right by the sea.
The beach in San Bartolomeo al Mare is predominantly a gravel beach. There is a public beach at the promenade, on the Via Capri hill.
The Gulf of Diano stretches from Cervo up to Capo Berta. There are many sections of public beach in Cervo, just below the Via Aurelia coastal street, which offer a magnificent view of the medieval coastal town. The beach in this place is a gravel and rock beach, and it is also very popular for fishing. We recommend that you wear bathing shoes. Showers, changing cabins, as well as beach bars are all there. There is also a quiet and somewhat secluded beach in Cervo for FKK (nudity) fans, if you go along the coastal street towards Andora in the old ruins at the height of the city centre and then take the narrow path to the sea.
Dog beaches in the province of Imperia
Are on holiday with your four-legged friend? Find out where dog beaches are in Imperia province.
