Some cities look out at the sea from afar, admiring it as a distant horizon. Imperia carries the sea within its very identity.
It can be found in its harbours and quays, in its maritime culture, in the colourful houses of its historic villages, in the stories of fishermen, in the flavours of its cuisine and in the unmistakable Mediterranean light that accompanies everyday life.
Within this deep connection, Vele d’Epoca has found its natural home. Founded in 1986, the event has grown into one of the Mediterranean’s most distinguished gatherings of classic yachts, perfectly at home in a city that has lived with the sea for generations and continues to tell its story through its maritime heritage.
A City Built Around the Sea
The sea has accompanied Imperia’s development throughout its history, shaping its character and creating an enduring relationship that has evolved over time without ever losing its essence.
For many years, this relationship was primarily commercial and maritime. Goods passed through its quays, while fishing, departures, homecomings and life around the harbour formed part of the city’s everyday rhythm. The sea was a place of trade, an economic engine, a workplace and a constant presence in daily life.
Over time, that identity expanded. Alongside its maritime and commercial traditions came sailing, hospitality, coastal tourism and a renewed vision of a Mediterranean city embracing the sea.
The Parasio, Borgo Marina, Calata Cuneo, the Spianata and La Galeazza each reveal a different aspect of this relationship: historic streets, marinas, waterfronts, beaches, promenades and a vibrant coastal lifestyle.
Together they define a rich and authentic maritime identity.
Calata Anselmi, the Naval Museum and Maritime Heritage
Calata Anselmi is one of the places where Imperia’s connection with the sea becomes most tangible.
The waterfront welcomes the yachts, brings visitors close to owners and crews, and transforms the presence of these magnificent vessels into a shared experience.
During Vele d’Epoca, this role becomes even more significant. Historic yachts become part of the city’s daily life and, beyond the sporting competition, the culture of classic sailing comes alive through the direct encounter between visitors and the boats themselves.
The nearby Naval Museum of Imperia enriches this narrative even further.
Located within the former General Warehouses overlooking Calata Anselmi, the museum preserves and celebrates the city’s maritime heritage through exhibitions dedicated to seafaring, navigation, trade, nautical sports and maritime exploration.
On the upper floor of the same building stands the Imperia Planetarium, a natural extension of this story. For centuries, sailors relied on the stars to navigate the oceans, and today’s immersive experience connects celestial navigation with scientific knowledge and the timeless spirit of exploration.
In 2026, this cultural vocation takes on an even broader dimension through the partnership between the Bagnoli Sea Museum, the Galata Museo del Mare in Genoa and the Naval Museum of Imperia, linking Calata Anselmi to a wider network of institutions dedicated to preserving the memory and culture of the sea.
Discovering Imperia from the Sea
Experiencing Imperia by sea offers a unique perspective.
For those arriving under sail, the harbour is the city’s first encounter—a gateway where the maritime journey seamlessly becomes part of the urban experience.
This vision perfectly reflects the spirit of Vele d’Epoca, an event built around historic yachts, owners and crews that finds in Imperia a city accustomed to living alongside sailing.
Seen from offshore, Imperia gradually reveals itself at the unhurried pace of classic sailing, where the voyage is every bit as meaningful as the destination, and every harbour becomes part of the story.
Experiencing the Sea: Beaches, Nature, Cycling and Mediterranean Flavours
The sea is also experienced through life’s simplest pleasures: relaxing on the beach, watching the sun set beyond the Prino Saracen Tower, strolling along the waterfront or enjoying a swim in crystal-clear waters.
It is an accessible, authentic Mediterranean lifestyle.
The completion of the Incompiuta coastal promenade has further enhanced this experience. Today the route between Imperia and Diano Marina forms part of the Riviera dei Fiori Cycle Path, offering almost 45 kilometres of uninterrupted cycling between Ospedaletti and Andora.
The western Ligurian Sea also represents an extraordinary natural heritage.
Imperia lies within the Pelagos Sanctuary, the protected marine area dedicated to safeguarding marine mammals in the north-western Mediterranean. Here, the sea is not only something to navigate and admire but also an ecosystem to understand, respect and preserve.
This environmental commitment is reflected in the city’s continued recognition through the Blue Flag programme.
In 2026, Imperia received the award for the eighth consecutive year, with Spianata Borgo Peri and Borgo Marina among its certified beaches. The recognition highlights not only water quality but also environmental management, accessibility, safety and sustainable coastal services.
The sea also shapes Imperia’s cuisine.
Traditional dishes such as stockfish, brandacujun, blue fish, sardines, fresh local catches and the famous Sanremo red prawns celebrate the flavours of the Ligurian coast. Alongside them, the renowned Taggiasca olive oil provides the perfect link between the sea and the surrounding hills, creating one of the most authentic expressions of Imperia’s culinary identity.
Why Vele d’Epoca and Imperia Belong Together
The relationship between Imperia and Vele d’Epoca is rooted in a shared maritime history that stretches back generations.
In 2026, as the event celebrates its 40th Anniversary, this connection reaches a new milestone with the launch of Imperia Sailing Week 2026.
The programme expands into two complementary events.
From 28 August to 1 September, Imperia will host the 12 Metre World Championship, bringing together the legendary yachts that shaped the history of the America’s Cup.
From 2 to 6 September, the historic Vele d’Epoca gathering will continue, welcoming some of the world’s most beautiful classic yachts to the Ligurian coast.
The anniversary edition will also feature Mauro Pelaschier as its Official Ambassador, providing the perfect setting for more than a week of events both on the water and ashore.
A unique opportunity to experience the timeless atmosphere of Vele d’Epoca, where sailing, maritime heritage and Mediterranean culture come together in one unforgettable celebration.
