Imperia day trip from Sanremo or Alassio or Cervo
A day trip to Imperia from Sanremo, Alassio or Cervo: the morning in Porto Maurizio, with the sea-view arcades of the Logge di Santa Chiara, the lanes of the Parasio and the great Basilica of San Maurizio, then lunch under the arcades of Calata Cuneo on Oneglia's harbour, the Baroque church of San Giovanni, the shops of Via Bonfante and the Olive Oil Museum. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Imperia in 1 day
Day 1
Logge di Santa Chiara
Arcaded terrace below the old convent of the Poor Clares in Porto Maurizio, with a wide view over the sea and the coast.
Historic centre of Porto Maurizio (Parasio)
The old hilltop quarter of Porto Maurizio, a maze of stepped lanes, arches and pastel palazzi looking down on the sea.
Basilica of San Maurizio
Vast neoclassical church with a domed portico above Porto Maurizio, the largest church in Liguria, with a bright, grand interior.
Calata Cuneo (Oneglia harbour)
Oneglia's harbourfront under long colourful arcades, lined with trattorias, bars and fishing boats, the town's favourite spot for lunch or an aperitivo.
Collegiate Church of San Giovanni Battista, Oneglia
Oneglia's main church, a large eighteenth-century Baroque collegiate on its own piazza, a few steps from the harbour arcades.
Via Bonfante arcades
Oneglia's main shopping street, running under long arcades from the harbour, for a stroll among old shops, cafés and pastry shops.
Museo dell'Olivo Carli (Olive Oil Museum)
Museum of the olive and its oil next to the Carli company's works, from ancient amphorae and presses to Ligurian olive growing.
Getting there
From Sanremo, regional trains along the coast reach Imperia in about 20 minutes, and from Alassio in about 30; Cervo is a short train or bus ride to the east. The station lies between Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, and local buses link the two towns. By car, the Aurelia coast road and the A10 motorway both serve Imperia.
Staying in Sanremo or Alassio or Cervo? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Imperia
Spring, from April to June, and September are the best times: mild, sunny and quieter than August, when the coast is full of Italian holidaymakers. Winters on the Riviera are mild, good for walking the old quarters. Every other September, Porto Maurizio's harbour hosts the Vele d'Epoca, a regatta of classic sailing yachts.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Imperia on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Imperia on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Imperia 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 Imperia
- Imperia is two towns, Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, a couple of kilometres apart: walk the seafront between them or take a local bus.
- The Olive Oil Museum keeps shorter hours and closes one day a week; check its opening days before you choose the day.
- Calata Cuneo is the place for lunch or dinner on the water: book a table on summer weekends, when the arcades fill up.
- The Parasio is steep, with stepped lanes and alleys: wear comfortable shoes and take it slowly in the summer heat.
- Taste and buy Taggiasca olives, extra virgin oil and pesto in Oneglia, the town of the big olive oil firms.
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
- Basilica of San Maurizio: Francesco Spaccamonte 2727, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Collegiate Church of San Giovanni Battista, Oneglia: Al*from*Lig, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Porto Maurizio (Parasio): Giancarlo Scola, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museo dell'Olivo Carli (Olive Oil Museum): Al*from*Lig, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Via Bonfante arcades: avu-edm, CC BY 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
