Villas in Santo Stefano al Mare
Santo Stefano al Mare is a tiny Ligurian coast town with flower-growing land behind it, about 20 minutes by road from Imperia. Its homes are compact and mostly air-conditioned, and few have a private pool. For anything beyond the shore you will drive or take the bus.
- Villas
- 22
- From, per week
- £329
About Santo Stefano al Mare
Santo Stefano al Mare is a very small municipality, covering only about 2.7 square kilometres, some 9 km south-west of Imperia. It borders Riva Ligure, Cipressa, Pompeiana and Terzorio, so a neighbouring village is never far. Behind the shore there is extensive flower cultivation, in greenhouses and in the open air, which gives the back of town a working look rather than a resort one. The homes are grouped tightly together, mostly small, sleeping around four at the middle with a single bedroom. Most have air conditioning, while few have a private pool or a garden. A small marina at Marina degli Aregai takes boats up to a modest size. Imperia is the nearest larger town. Check opening times before an off-season visit.
Is Santo Stefano al Mare right for you?
- Best for
- Couples and small groups wanting a quiet, compact base
- Not for you if
- You want nightlife or a big resort on the doorstep.
Near Santo Stefano al Mare
Imperia
The nearest larger town, about 20 minutes by car, or around 30 minutes on the roughly hourly line 12 bus.
Riva Ligure
The next municipality along the coast, sharing a border with Santo Stefano al Mare.
Marina degli Aregai
A small marina between breakwaters at Santa Caterina, taking boats up to 6 metres long.
Getting to Santo Stefano al Mare
Nice airport is the practical choice, about an hour by car over roughly 46 miles. Without a car, a train from Saint-Laurent-du-Var to Ventimiglia and on to Taggia Arma takes close to two hours, and FlixBus runs from Nice airport to Sanremo. From Imperia, line 12 buses reach the town in about 30 minutes.
When to go to Santo Stefano al Mare
The climate is mild, and winters rarely reach freezing, which suits spring and autumn stays as well as high summer. July and August are the obvious beach months, so book early if your dates are fixed. Outside summer, check that restaurants and shops are open before you travel, since this is a very small place.
Villas in Santo Stefano al Mare
3-star property
Entre Bateau et Mer
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConParkingPool+7 more
from£93
per night
3-star property
Irma
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
9
2
0
Air ConBBQDishwasher+9 more
from£158
per night
4-star property
Verde
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConDishwasherParking+7 more
from£89
per night
3-star property
casa Peggy
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
DishwasherMicrowaveParking+6 more
from£61
per night
3-star property
Sara
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
2
1
0
Air ConDishwasherMicrowave+5 more
from£47
per night
3-star property
Marta
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConDishwasherMicrowave+6 more
from£76
per night
3-star property
Romina
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConDishwasherParking+7 more
from£95
per night
2-star property
Fulvia
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
BBQParkingWashing Machine+5 more
2-star property
in the Garden
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
3
1
0
Air ConMicrowaveParking+6 more
from£59
per night
3-star property
Dream House
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
5
2
0
ParkingWashing MachineFridge+4 more
3-star property
Sunny Home
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
2
0
Air ConParkingPool+4 more
from£71
per night
3-star property
La Terrazza
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
3
1
0
MicrowaveParkingWashing Machine+4 more
from£59
per night
3-star property
Atena
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
5
2
0
Air ConDishwasherParking+6 more
from£89
per night
3-star property
Il Piccolo Ulivo
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
3
1
0
Air ConGardenMicrowave+7 more
from£65
per night
3-star property
Rosina
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
5
1
0
Air ConMicrowaveParking+6 more
from£64
per night
3-star property
Amica
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConDishwasherParking+8 more
from£92
per night
3-star property
Belle Vue
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
DishwasherParkingFridge+4 more
from£60
per night
3-star property
Blue Moon
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConDishwasherPool+5 more
from£65
per night
3-star property
Terrazzo sul Mare
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
6
2
0
Air ConBBQDishwasher+8 more
from£78
per night
3-star property
casa Valentino
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
3
1
0
ParkingWashing MachineFridge+3 more
from£59
per night
3-star property
Margherita
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
3
1
0
Air ConMicrowaveParking+6 more
from£63
per night
Bellissima Vista
Santo Stefano al Mare, Liguria Riviera Ponente, Italy
3
1
0
DishwasherParkingWashing Machine+5 more
Santo Stefano al Mare villa holidays: questions answered
Is Santo Stefano al Mare a small place?
Yes, very. The municipality covers about 2.7 square kilometres and borders Riva Ligure, Cipressa, Pompeiana and Terzorio, so it feels closer to a village than a resort. Imperia is the place for a bigger choice of shops.
How far is Santo Stefano al Mare from Imperia?
About 20 minutes by car. Line 12, run by Riviera Trasporti from Imperia Oneglia, takes around 30 minutes and runs roughly hourly, which is handy if nobody wants to drive.
Do homes in Santo Stefano al Mare have private pools?
Few do. Most are small and air-conditioned without a pool, so filter the search for one if it matters. Families wanting a private pool may do better in other towns along this coast.
Nice airport or somewhere closer for Santo Stefano al Mare?
Nice is the closest practical airport, around an hour away by car. Trains need a change at Ventimiglia and take close to two hours, so a hire car saves time.
What is grown behind Santo Stefano al Mare?
Flowers, mostly. Extensive cultivation, both in greenhouses and in open fields, sits behind the town, which gives the inland side a working feel rather than a tourist one.
Nearby towns to Santo Stefano al Mare
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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