Soggiorna
In Imperia the sea changes every few kilometres, which is why the right question is not "which is the most beautiful beach" but "which beach is for me". There is a sandy beach below the old town, there are two stretches awarded the Blue Flag, and to the east the coast turns to pebbles and rocks, with free stretches and beach clubs.
As with everything else in the city, it helps to think in halves: Porto Maurizio to the west, Oneglia to the east.
The two Blue Flags of 2026
In the Foundation for Environmental Education's 2026 list, Imperia appears with two beaches: Spianata Borgo Peri and Borgo Marina. The city has won the award for several years in a row, and it certifies the quality of the bathing water and beaches, efficient wastewater treatment and waste management.
Borgo Marina, in Porto Maurizio
Borgo Marina is Porto Maurizio's harbour district, at the foot of the Parasio. It has an advantage the other beaches lack: everything is a few steps away. The Naval Museum and the Planetarium are here, the Parasio is reached by the inclined lifts, and in the hottest hours you can move into the shade without taking the car.
But note: Borgo Marina has a seasonal limited traffic zone (ZTL), active from 1 May to 30 September, 24 hours a day. In summer you cannot drive down to the sea by following the satnav.
Spianata Borgo Peri, in Oneglia
The second Blue Flag is in Oneglia, the more urban half of the city. It is the convenient choice if you are staying in Oneglia and want the sea without crossing to the other half: from the harbour and the arcades of Calata Cuneo you are already on the seafront.
The Spiaggia d'Oro, below the Parasio
The Spiaggia d'Oro is Porto Maurizio's stretch of sand, below the Parasio headland, full of umbrellas in summer. It is Imperia's most "classic" beach, and the one for anyone looking for sand and facilities.
Its position helps too: if you stay at sea level you don't need to climb to the Parasio, while if you want to combine sea and old town the lifts are right there. A morning on the beach and an afternoon in the alleys, without ever taking the car, is the easiest day Imperia can offer.
To the east: pebbles and rocks
Beyond Oneglia, towards Diano Marina and Genoa, the coast changes: it becomes pebbles and rocks, with free and equipped beaches alternating. This is the sea for anyone who prefers clear water to sand and doesn't need a big beach club.
Water shoes are useful here, and with small children think it over: getting into the water is not as gradual as on a sandy bottom.
Since 20 June 2026 you can also carry on by bike on this side: the section under Capo Berta, left unfinished for years, has opened and links Imperia with Diano Marina. It is not a beach, but it is the most beautiful way to see this stretch of coast: everything is in the guide to the Riviera dei Fiori cycle path.
To the west: Borgo Prino
West of Porto Maurizio lies Borgo Prino, where the cycle path from San Lorenzo al Mare arrives: nine kilometres beside the sea, on the old railway line. With a bike you can combine beach and ride, and return by train from Imperia station or from those along the line towards Sanremo.
How to choose
| Area | Shore | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spiaggia d'Oro (Porto Maurizio) | sand | families, anyone wanting facilities and the old town close by |
| Borgo Marina (Porto Maurizio) | Blue Flag | anyone wanting harbour, museum and Parasio on foot |
| Borgo Peri (Oneglia) | Blue Flag | anyone staying in Oneglia and getting about on foot |
| To the east | pebbles and rocks | clear water and free stretches |
| Borgo Prino | on the cycle path | combining sea and bike |
Parking near the sea: 2026 rates
Rates from the City of Imperia's 2026 parking tariff plan, for non-residents:
- Prino car park: 1.50 euros an hour from 1 May to 30 September, 1 euro an hour the rest of the year.
- Molo San Lazzaro: 1 euro an hour in summer (1 April-30 September), 0.50 euros in winter.
- Mameli and Amadeo (Piazza Ricci), in Porto Maurizio: 1 euro an hour.
- Vecchia Stazione (Piazza Unità Nazionale) and Toscanini, in Oneglia: 1 euro an hour.
- Blue street bays: 2 euros an hour, in most streets on weekdays from 8.30 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 19.30. In some streets, such as Via Scarincio near the Naval Museum and Piazza Parasio, you pay every day.
On the blue bays there are 15 free minutes, once a day per number plate, after paying the minimum stay. Times can change: the sign on the spot counts for more than any guide. All the details, including the ZTLs, are in the guide on how to get to Imperia and where to park.
Without a car
Imperia is one of the places on this coast where you least need a car for the beach, provided you stay in the right half: from Porto Maurizio you walk to the Spiaggia d'Oro and Borgo Marina, from Oneglia to Borgo Peri. Only the move from one half to the other, a couple of kilometres, needs the bus, a bike or a walk along the seafront.
Frequently asked questions
Does Imperia have sandy beaches?
Yes: the Spiaggia d'Oro, in Porto Maurizio below the Parasio, is an equipped sandy beach. To the east, the coast turns to pebbles and rocks.
Which beaches in Imperia have the Blue Flag?
In 2026 the Blue Flag went to Spianata Borgo Peri, in Oneglia, and to Borgo Marina, in Porto Maurizio.
How much does it cost to park near the beaches in Imperia?
According to the 2026 tariff plan, the Prino car park costs 1.50 euros an hour in summer, Molo San Lazzaro 1 euro an hour, and blue street bays 2 euros an hour for non-residents.
Can you drive to Borgo Marina in summer?
From 1 May to 30 September Borgo Marina has a limited traffic zone active 24 hours a day: leave the car in a car park and walk on.
Which is the best beach in Imperia for children?
The Spiaggia d'Oro, because it is sandy, equipped and close to the lifts up to the Parasio. More ideas are in the guide to Imperia with children.