Rimini beach: a postcard in full color
If you think of Italy, surely you fancy more than one getaway: the monumental Rome, the beautiful Florence, the romantic Venice, the cosmopolitan Milan or the always appetizing Tuscany, in addition to its Amalfi coast or its paradisiacal islands.
Yes, there are many things to do in the Italian peninsula at least once in your life and to discover Rimini is one of them.
In the north of the transalpine country, in the Emilia-Romagna region, near the capital of the region, Bologna, we find this city conceived as holiday destination since the 19th century.
The other Rimini awaits you in the heart of its historic center
Comparisons are hateful, but Rimini is to Italy what Benidorm is to Spain. Or that, at least, is what many Italians think. Like so many other purely summer destinations, it arouses love and hate in equal parts.
This city on the Adriatic coast, which by day it reminds of Saint Tropez and by night of Florida, It's not without prejudice either, but it seems like a good excuse to visit one of our favorite countries again.
In this guide we discover you its Roman past, its typical gastronomy and its artistic character, clearly marked by the filmmaker Federico Fellini, that he was born and lived in Rimini.
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO
As you may have already deduced, the easiest and most obvious thing in Rimini is abandon yourself to dolce far niente, that great Italian invention by which we allow ourselves to enjoy the simple pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.
Forget the watch (and the mobile, of course) at the hotel, choose a hammock, stand under one of its colorful umbrellas and dedicate yourself to the contemplative life.
You can also do it from above: get on your panoramic Ferris Wheel, from which you can photograph the entire city, the port and the endless beach.
When you get tired (if you do), rent a bike on the same promenade and delve into the Roman past of the city: through its many cycle paths you will reach the historic center, which is completely pedestrianized.
The Ferris wheel: another way of contemplating the city
Drive or walk to the Cavour square, where you will find the Town Hall, the Palace of Podestà and Arengo – today an artistic and cultural space – and the Municipal Theatre, inaugurated by Giuseppe Verdi.
Dotted with lively terraces, this square is the heart and nerve center of the other Rimini, the ancient Ariminum, founded in the year 268 BC, the one that appears beyond its kilometer-long beaches and its infinite leisure offer
Here, there are seven obligatory stops. First, the world's oldest preserved Roman triumphal arch (27 BC), the Arch of Augustus.
You must also visit the unfinished Malatesta Temple (known by many as the Duomo of Rimini), the work of the Franciscans and the main temple of Catholic worship in the city; the Sismondo Castle ; and the Roman amphitheater.
The next stop, the archaeological site of the Chirurgio House (the Surgeon's House), a Roman room discovered in 1989, inside which surgical tools from Roman times were found and are now on display at the Museo della Città.
And finally: the old fish market , from 1747, now surrounded by cafes and restaurants and the Tiberius Bridge , which, with its five semicircular arches, is another of the symbols of the city.
The Tiberius Bridge, one of the city's landmarks
Crossing it, you will reach old and multicolored fishing districts such as San Giuliano, where he lived Federico Fellini.
Wander around to discover the murals with which the neighbors themselves have decorated their facades, inspired by the films of what, for many, was the best film director of all time.
If you are a movie buff, sign up for one of the guided tours that end at the Cinema Fulgor: that is where the filmmaker, as a child, saw his first film and that same room is the one he recreated at the Cinecittà studios in Rome to shoot the Oscar-winning Amarcord, inspired by his hometown.
end the day in Darsena Sunset Bar _(Viale Ortigara, 78) _, the terrace on the beach where you can see and be seen but, above all, where you can contemplate a unique sunset over the bay.
WHAT TO EAT
The answer is easy. When we travel through Italy it is something that never worries us. Of course, here (almost) anything supposes an overdose of gluten and lactose: pasta, pizzas, focaccia, cheese or homemade ice cream They are a declaration of intentions.
If the Italians know something, it is that gastronomy is a very serious matter. So much so that, in his case, they have elevated it to the category of art.
Specifically, from Rimini (and from Emilia-Romagna in general) you cannot leave without trying its most typical product: the famous Romagnola piadina.
It is a bread in the form of thin and flat dough made with wheat flour, pork fat or olive oil, salt and water that is filled, in its simplest version, with squacqueron cheese (D.O.P. Rimini) and arugula.
But the most foodies can do your own combinations with other delicacies such as Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta, Parma ham, fig jam, roasted aubergine or caramelized onion. The options are endless.
They also prepare them to take away, but they are eaten at any time of the day, because in Rimini you will always find an open piadinería. Yes, leaving the watch at the hotel was serious.
Take note of our favourites: Bosch's Casina _(Viale Antonio Beccadelli 15) _ whose location, very close to the sea, makes it a meeting place for young people from Riminesi and Dalla Lella , an institution in Rimini, where they have been preparing piadinas since 1986.
In the middle of the afternoon, do not miss the most delicious Italian ritual: the appetizer go to Etoile Wine Bar _(Via Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, 57) _, order yourself a aperol spritz or a Sangiovese wine and let the feast begin!
For dinner (and whatever comes up), head back to the beach area: exactly until I love Rimini _(Lungomare Murri, 15) _.
You would return a thousand times for his seafood tray: from oysters to lobster, passing through his trio of tartares. Don't say no to him either. seafood risotto or to any of their pasta dishes.
On the way to the hotel, let yourself be caught up in Rimini's nightlife. You will have a hard time choosing from their variety of clubs, discos and terraces that keep the hustle and bustle well into the morning.
The taste of the sea awaits you at AmoRimini
Bedtime? A good option is Hotel Villa Adriatica _(Viale Vespucci, 3) _, an old mansion from 1880 but, if the budget allows it, give yourself a treat and surrender to the ** Grand Hotel Rimini ,** a majestic Art Nouveau building with immense gardens where Fellini always had a reserved suite.
The Grand Hotel Rimini: benchmark par excellence of the Italian dolce vita
Here you can end the day as you started it, waking up leisurely and having breakfast on your terrace, which in summer is the scene of great banquets. La Dolce Vita was this.
24 hours in Rimini go a long way!