{"id":61740,"date":"2026-10-14T22:01:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T22:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/italian-riviera.com\/liguria\/san-bartolomeo-al-mare\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T22:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T22:03:55","slug":"san-bartolomeo-al-mare","status":"publish","type":"localita","link":"https:\/\/italian-riviera.com\/en\/riviera-di-ponente\/san-bartolomeo-al-mare\/","title":{"rendered":"San Bartolomeo al Mare"},"content":{"rendered":"

San Bartolomeo al Mare is a town of about 2,900 people in the middle of the Gulf of Diano, in the province of Imperia, between Diano Marina<\/a> to the west and Cervo<\/a> to the east. It has a seafront with gardens and bathing establishments, a centre cut by the Via Aurelia and, just behind, olive hills with hamlets, shrines and Roman remains.<\/p>\n

People come for three reasons. The first is the calm sea, sheltered by breakwaters and good for families. The second is the new cycle path: since 2026 the old railway line is a flat, paved route linking Diano Marina, San Bartolomeo, Cervo and Andora<\/a>. The third is the position, handy for exploring the Riviera dei Fiori without paying Diano prices.<\/p>\n

One thing to know before you plan: there is no train station in town any more<\/strong>. The Cervo\u2013San Bartolomeo stop closed on 11 December 2016 when the line was moved into a double-track tunnel, and the nearest station is Diano, about 2 km away. Below you will find how to get here, beaches, events and where to stay.<\/p>\n

What to see in San Bartolomeo al Mare<\/h2>\n
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The centre takes a couple of hours on foot. The sights are few and close together: the sea tower, the parish church, the oratory. With more time, climb towards La Rovere and the hamlets, where the oldest churches and the Roman site are. Church opening hours are not officially published: ask the tourist office (IAT) at Piazza XXV Aprile 1.<\/p>\n

Torre di Santa Maria<\/h3>\n

This is the 16th-century watchtower on the seafront, at the corner of Via Capri. It has a round base and only one of the original two floors survives; it is lit at night. Around it is Piazza Torre Santa Maria, the meeting point for the mountain-bike routes and the place of the patron saint’s procession.<\/p>\n

Lungomare delle Nazioni<\/h3>\n
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The pedestrian promenade runs along the sea, away from the traffic of the Aurelia. It has gardens, shaded stretches and playgrounds, so it suits a walk with small children. Towards Diano Marina the cycle path covers about three flat kilometres.<\/p>\n

Parish church of San Bartolomeo<\/h3>\n

The church has late-medieval origins. It was damaged by the 1887 earthquake and rebuilt. The 14th-century bell tower with its spire survives from the old building. Inside is a polyptych of 1562 by the painters Raffaello and Giulio De Rossi. It stands near Piazza Verdi.<\/p>\n

Oratory of San Michele Arcangelo<\/h3>\n

Near the parish church is the Baroque oratory of San Michele Arcangelo. From the 15th century to the early 1900s it was the seat of the Disciplinanti, the lay confraternities that ran the processions. You will usually see it from the outside only: ask the IAT whether it opens on particular days.<\/p>\n

Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Rovere<\/h3>\n

The sanctuary sits on the hill among olive trees. The first building may date from the 14th century, the present one from the 16th. For centuries it drew pilgrims from Liguria and southern Piedmont. The Rovere d’Oro concerts are held on its forecourt in July.<\/p>\n

Roman mansio and the Rovere archaeological park<\/h3>\n

Next to the sanctuary are the remains of a Roman building used between the late 1st and early 3rd century AD. Scholars see it as a mansio, a staging post on the Via Julia Augusta, which some identify with Lucus Bormani; the identification is only a hypothesis and still debated. Excavations began in 1977. In 2016 the town carried out a landscape project with olive trees and paths; check whether it is open before you climb up<\/strong>. The finds are in the Civic Museum of Diano Marina<\/a>. The cycle path passes nearby and the town’s coat of arms still carries the name “Julia Augusta”.<\/p>\n

Poiolo and the oratory of Sant’Anna<\/h3>\n

Poiolo is a historic hamlet inland, one of the three old quarters together with Piazza Verdi and La Rovere. The 16th-century oratory of Sant’Anna holds a polyptych by Giulio De Rossi from about 1570. In June the village usually hosts the Corpus Domini flower carpets.<\/p>\n

Pairola and Chiappa<\/h3>\n

Pairola has the church of the Madonna della Neve (16th century) and the oratory of Santa Caterina da Genova. Chiappa, the only official hamlet, has the church of Santi Giacomo e Mauro with a marble statue of the Madonna del Rosario. Reach them by car or bike; they are worth it for the olive-grove atmosphere more than for monuments.<\/p>\n

The cycle path on the old railway<\/h3>\n
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The old rail line is now a paved, flat path, open since 3 April 2026 and inaugurated on 15 May. It passes Piazza Aurora, a few minutes from the tower, and reaches Cervo and Andora. We have a full page on this stretch: read the guide to the Gulf of Diano cycle path<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beaches of San Bartolomeo al Mare<\/h2>\n
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The beach is the seafront, about 1,270 metres long and almost entirely taken by bathing establishments: concession data show 33. The bed changes by stretch: sand, but also fine gravel. Sources disagree, so bring water shoes for stony spots. The sea is calm because it is protected by breakwaters.<\/p>\n

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Free beaches are few. Concession data show a short free pebble stretch on Via degli Aranci, but there is no official list of free beaches with names and positions: if you want one, arrive early and ask the IAT. The bathing season usually runs from June to September.<\/p>\n

San Bartolomeo al Mare has no Blue Flag for 2026. The neighbouring Diano Marina and Andora do, and both are a short bike ride away: if the Blue Flag matters to you, use this town as a base and swim there. There is no official rule on dogs on the beach: ask the establishment or check the municipal order.<\/p>\n

Things to do in San Bartolomeo al Mare<\/h2>\n

By bike on the cycle path<\/h3>\n

The Diano Marina\u2013Andora stretch is about 7 km long and is the best way to get to know the gulf. From Piazza Aurora you reach Cervo in a few minutes and Diano Marina in about a quarter of an hour; it is all flat, ideal with children or a road bike. Shade is scarce, so bring water and a hat. Best hours are early morning or late afternoon.<\/p>\n

Mountain bike<\/h3>\n
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The town has marked five MTB routes between the sea and Pizzo d’Evigno, meeting at Piazza Torre Santa Maria. They can be ridden all year and maps are at the IAT. Quick guide:<\/p>\n