Why Go to Rimini?:
Rimini, often referred to as the capital of Italian seaside tourism and nightlife, is one of Italy's most popular beach resorts and one of the largest in Europe. It has 15km of fine sandy beach with top-rate bathing facilities. The seaside promenade is lined with restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs. Rimini is also an art center and has an interesting historic center, Roman ruins, and museums. Federico Fellini was from Rimini.
Rimini Location:
Rimini is on Italy's east coast, about 200 miles south of Venice, on the Adriatic Sea. It's in the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy (see Emilia Romagna Map). Nearby locations include Ravenna, the city of mosaics, the republic of San Marino, and Le Marche region.Rimini Transportation:
Rimini is on Italy's east coast rail line between Venice and Ancona. Trains go to Bologna and Milan. The station is between the beach and historic center. Buses go to Ravenna, Cesena, and local towns. Federico Fellini Airport is near Rimini.
Driving in Rimini is difficult, especially in summer. Local buses run to the beach areas, train station, and historic center. The free blue line bus connects the disco area west of town to the main beach area. In summer, some buses run all night. Bicycling is a great option for getting around town and to the beaches, too. There are bike rentals around the beaches.
Rimini Lido, Beaches, and Baths:
Rimini's Marina Centro and Lungomare Augusto is the center of beaches and nightlife. Beaches spread north and south with those farther from the center more family oriented. A seafront promenade runs along the coast. Many of the beaches are private and include cabanas, umbrellas, and beach chairs for a day use fee. Rimini Terme is a thermal spa on the sea with treatment facilities, four heated salt water pools, and a wellness center. It's set in a park with fitness trail, beach, and playground. Hotel National (book direct) by the sea in Marino Centro has spa facilities and therapeutic treatments.
Rimini Nightlife:
Rimini is considered by many to be the capital of Italian nightlife. The central beach front area, especially along Lungomare Augusto and Viale Vespucci one block inland, is teeming with bars, pubs, night clubs, arcades, and restaurants, some open all night. The big discoes are generally in the hills west of town. Some of them offer shuttle service and the blue line free bus connects discoes to the main beach area.Rimini Hotels:
Most of Rimini's hotels are near the seaside promenade. See top rated Rimini Hotels along the Lungomare, based on guest ratings on Venere. You can also search all Rimini hotels on Venere (book direct), including adjacent coastal suburbs.Fellini's Rimini:
Federico Fellini, the famous movie director, came from Rimini. Several of his movies, including Amarcord and I Vitelloni (compare prices), were set in Rimini. The Grand Hotel Rimini (book direct) was featured in Amaracord. Murals commemorating Fellini and some of his movie characters can be seen in Borgo S. Giuliano, one of the oldest districts and a favorite haunt of Fellini.Rimini Festivals:
The International Pianoforte Festival, March through May, features free concerts by top pianists. The summer Sagra Musicale Malatestiana brings international artists for programs of music, theater, dance, and visual arts.Rimini Map:
For a map showing Rimini's main sights see Rimini Map on Mapping Europe.Rimini Sights and Attractions:
Besides beaches and nightlife, Rimini has a good historic center and is a city of art. Here are some of Rimini's top attractions, mainly in the historic center.
- Roman Rimini dates from 268 BC and there are several Roman remains. The main town gate, Arco d'Augusto, was erected in 27BC. There's a 62 meter long Roman bridge, Ponte di Tiberio, that was built in 21AD and part of a 2nd century Roman amphitheater that once held over 10,000 spectators.
- Piazza Cavour is the main square where you'll find government, socializing, and market day on Wednesday. In the center of the square are a statue of Pope Paul IV and the circular Pigna fountain built in 1543 but incorporating some Roman remains. Around the square are several interesting buildings including the 13th century Palazzo dell'Arengo, the town hall, the old fish market, and neoclassical theater, Teatro Amintore Galli. Behind the theater is the 15th century fortress, Castel Sismondo, used for cultural events.
- Piazza tre Martiri is the stie of the old Roman Forum, the early 16th century Tempietto di S. Antonio da Padova, and Torre dell'Orologio, the clocktower, built in 1547 but with a clock face from 1750. There's also a 16th century column commemorating Julius Caesar.
- The Malatesta Temple, Tempio Malatestiano, is Rimini's best monument and an important example of Italian Renaissance. A marble casing envelopes the original medieval church. The many art treasures inside include a Giotto painting from 1312, frescoes by Piero della Francesca, and sculptures by Duccio. Pope Pius II called it a temple of devil worship and condemmed it.
- S. Agostino, a Romanesque-Gothic church, dates from 1247 and has important art works and frescoes inside. It's 55 meter tall bell tower is the tallest in Rimini.
- The City Museum, Museo della Citta, is housed in a former convent and 40 rooms filled with more than 1500 art works. The archaeology section focuses on Roman finds and the Pinacoteca has Italian art from the 11th through 20th centuries.
- Cineteca, the film library, has a collection of movies related to Rimini and Fellini memorabilia. Italian movies are shown on Friday nights.
- Viserba, 4km away, is an old fishing port and popular holiday resort. The popular park, Italia in Miniatura, Italy in Miniature, has 272 Italian architecture scale reproductions representing all of Italy's regions. It's open daily March 1- January 6, but rides only operate from March 15-November 2. From Rimini train station, take bus number 8.
