Cervo day trip from Sanremo or Imperia
A day trip to Cervo from Sanremo or Imperia: the Clavesana Castle, the Corallini church, the Oratory of Santa Caterina and the lanes of the old town, then the Basilica of San Maurizio and the Parasio quarter of Imperia. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Cervo in 1 day
Day 1
Clavesana Castle
Medieval castle at the top of Cervo, the oldest part of the village, now housing a small museum of local traditions.
Church of San Giovanni Battista (dei Corallini)
Baroque church with a curved facade above the sea, built with the help of Cervo's coral fishermen, hence its name.
Oratory of Santa Caterina
Small medieval oratory near the castle at the top of the village, used for exhibitions and local events.
Historic centre of Cervo
Hillside fishing village above the sea; the walk shows steep lanes, arches, small squares and views over the coast.
Basilica of San Maurizio
Large neoclassical basilica in Imperia's Porto Maurizio, with a domed interior and a terrace looking over the sea.
Parasio
Old hilltop quarter of Porto Maurizio in Imperia, with narrow lanes, a convent loggia and views along the coast.
Calata Cuneo (Oneglia harbour)
The arcaded harbour front of Oneglia, Imperia's favourite spot for an aperitivo beside the fishing boats.
Watch: Cervo
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
By car along the coast road, the Via Aurelia, Cervo is about 15 minutes from Imperia and 40 minutes from Sanremo, with parking below the old town. Local buses also run along the coast, and from the road it is a steep walk up into the village.
Staying in Sanremo or Imperia? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Cervo
Late spring and early autumn are the best times, with mild weather and fewer people. July and August are hot and busy along the coast, and the Cervo chamber music festival runs through the summer. Winter is mild but quiet, with some restaurants closed.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Cervo on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Cervo on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Cervo on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Cervo
- The old town is steep and largely car-free, with stepped lanes; wear comfortable shoes and park below.
- In summer the church square hosts an international chamber music festival in the evenings; book ahead if you want to attend.
- Arrive in the morning to walk the lanes before the midday heat in summer.
- The Clavesana Castle at the top of the village houses a small ethnographic museum of local life.
- Imperia's Parasio quarter is also steep; the Basilica of San Maurizio stands at its edge with views over the sea.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Church of San Giovanni Battista (dei Corallini): Valerio Bozzolan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Cervo: Rudolf Stricker, Attribution
- Parasio: Giancarlo Scola, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
