An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Rimini, Italy

Last Updated on 5th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

If you’re planning an Italian summer escape, you should devote some time to exploring the area, and this guide to the best things to do in Rimini is certainly a helpful resource to bookmark and consult before the trip.

Considered one of the best beach resorts in Europe, Rimini is an Italian coastal town facing the Adriatic Sea, famous for its wide sandy beaches, the blue shallow sea, and the fantastic nightlife opportunities for travelers of all ages. 

Interesting Things to Know about Rimini

The popular city of Rimini is one of Italy’s favorite summer destinations. Especially popular among young crowds and families, Rimini receives hundreds of visitors every year between the months of July and September who come looking for relaxing beach days and entertaining evenings.

Today, Rimini is an important town in the region of Emilia-Romagna that people visit to enjoy the beach and the nightclubs, many of them ignoring the city’s remarkable past and rich history. 

Rimini was founded back in the third century BC, and it was an important port town on the Adriatic during the Roman Empire and the Medieval Ages. Housing more than two thousand years of history, Rimini is a town with ancient gates, arches, bridges, and temples worth a visit.

How to Get to Rimini

Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini is the preferred gateway to Rimini if you’re traveling from Europe or other cities in the country. 

However, the best and cheapest way to get to Rimini is by train. There are frequent connections from every main city in Italy, especially in summer. Some rides are direct to Rimini while others require changing trains at Bologna, the capital of the region of Emilia-Romagna.

It is also possible to reach Rimini by long-distance bus, from Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, and other Italian centers. Driving there is also a good idea as having a car will allow you to explore Rimini as well as other similar coastal resorts, the inner countryside, and the nearby small state of San Marino.

Where is Rimini?

Rimini is located in northeastern Italy along the glittering Adriatic coastline. It’s just a short distance away from the micro-state of San Marino and can be found in the region of Emilia-Romagna.

Where to Stay in Rimini

There are plenty of hotels, apartments for rent, and bed and breakfasts in the area, for all budgets. If you plan to spend more of your time on the beach, it can be a good idea to stay close to the coast. The seaside promenade is home to dozens of hotels and rental apartments.

Instead, if you’re more interested in shopping, nightlife, and some of the best restaurants in the region, staying in the center can be a better idea. 

These are the places we recommend:

• Hotel Due Mari: This property boasts an excellent beachfront position in the central area of Rimini Miramare, within walking distance of a plethora of restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s only 700 meters from Riccione Beach and about 1.4 km from Rimini’s airport. Check prices and availability here.
• Astoria Suite Hotel: This property is in Rimini’s Central Marina area, it’s a family-friendly hotel with just a hundred meters from the beach, but also close to shops in the area of Rimini Marina Centro area. Check prices and availability here.
• Hotel Montmartre: The hotel is in the area of Torre Pedrera, opposite Bagno Celso beach but also close to other popular beaches such as Marina di Viserbella and Bellaria Igea Marina. Check prices and availability here.

Best Things to Do in Rimini

Although most visitors head to Rimini for its beaches, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Rimini, including kid-friendly parks, remarkable museums, and historical sites, as well as some fantastic day trip opportunities. Down below we offer you some of the best things to do in Rimini.

Head to the Beach

How not to start with the most popular thing you can do in Rimini? Yes, hitting one of the several beaches along the coast is the main thing to do in town. 

From the early days of June until the end of September, the area is blessed with pleasant weather conditions, offering plenty of sunny days to enjoy in the calm waters of this part of the Adriatic Sea.

Rimini is home to some excellent organized beaches where you can rent an umbrella and sun loungers for the day, the week, or the month! Most of them offer basic services, such as toilets and showers, canteens and snack bars, and beach sports. 

There are some areas dedicated to families, with games for kids and very shallow waters, while other beaches are better for couples and friends, with beach bars and music all day round.

Three Martyrs Square

The most attractive square in town, is Piazza Tre Martiri (Three Martyrs in English), a historic location surrounded by historic churches as well as souvenir shops, high-end boutiques, restaurants, and trendy coffee shops.

If street markets fascinate you, this is another spot in town hosting both weekly and seasonal markets, such as the Christmas fair in December.

There are also midsummer concerts and other cultural events taking place during the warm season in this piazza.

Explore Cavour Square

Piazza Cavour is a popular square in the historic center of Rimini perfect for a walk after a day at the beach and some souvenir shopping in the surrounding streets.

It is also a favorite place for locals to meet, enjoy a walk, and shop for local products as different weekly markets are hosted in this space. Opposite the area, it is possible to admire the rich facade of the old Galli Theater, an architectonic gem in town.

The square is also close to the city’s main museum and a few minutes from another fantastic piazza, Three Martyrs Square. It’s easy to find the right place to sit for a drink when visiting the square since there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and informal eateries around the piazza.

In the middle of the square, it is possible to walk along the so-called Antica Pescheria a path flanked by a long line of impressive columns that lead to the central street of Via Pescheria. 

Admire Augustus’ Arch

Located at the end of Corso d’Augusto, one of the central avenues in Rimini, it is possible to check out the eight-meter-tall Arch of Augustus, built to honor the life and rule of Rome’s Emperor Caesar Augustus. 

This is one of the most remarkable ancient sites in the region that loudly speaks about the prestigious past of Rimini.

The arch is located in the center of Rimini and despite dating back to the year 27 BC, it is preserved in excellent condition. It is the oldest standing Roman arch in the country and it features heavy decorations full of political and propaganda symbols. 

It was built at the end of Via Flaminia, a long road that connected Rome to the Adriatic. During restoration works in the late 1930s, it was discovered that the arch was part of a more vast system of defensive walls, most of which were lost earlier in the twentieth century.

Discover the Gates of the City

Three different doors still stand in Rimini, Porta Montanara (also known as Saint Andrew’s Gate), Porta Galliana, and Porta Marina offering access from the sea.

Porta Montana was the only access to Rimini from Monte. Most of the door was lost during WWII, although restoration works have given the structure new splendor.

Porta Galliana was part of the defensive walls that protected Rimini and it was built back in the year two hundred.

Visit the Malatesta Temple

The most stunning religious building still standing in Rimini, the Tempio Malaterstiano (or Malatesta Temple) is a cathedral projected back in the 900s that was never finished.

Despite the incredible cathedral seems to have been completed, the front facade lacks several details, including a central tower. In any case, inside the temple, it’s possible to observe religious artefacts, paintings, sculptures, and decorations, as well as a famous crucifix by Giotto.

Marvel at the Beautiful Tiberius’ Bridge

Another Roman gem that you can admire in Rimini is what the locals call Ponte di Tiberio, a fantastic stone bridge with five arches over River Marecchia, built back in the year 20 BC. This is one of the most impressive Roman bridges still surviving in the country.

The pedestrian bridge marks the starting point of two important Roman roads, Via Emilia which connected Rimini to Piacenza, and Via Popilia which connected the city to Ravenna.

Visit the City Museum

History and archaeological remains are not only visible through the streets of Rimini but they can also be admired inside the City Museum (or Museo della Città).

Located on the premises of an ancient monastery, a few steps from Tiberius’s Bridge, the museum hosts more than 1,500 objects, such as ancient coins, glassware, and even unique mosaics, ranging from the prehistoric era to modern times.  

The Surgeon’s House (Domus del Chirurgo)

Located in Piazza Ferrari, the Surgeon’s House was discovered in 1989 and is an archaeological area comprising of several buildings from the Late Republic, as well as a residence which is thought to date to the second half of the 2nd century A.D. A ticket to the City Museum also grants access to the Surgeon’s House.

Fellini Museum

Federico Fellini was arguably the most important Italian filmmaker of the last century, leaving a fantastic heritage with fins such as Amarcord and La Dolce Vita. Born in Emilia Romagna, the city of Rimini honors his life, work, and poetic legacy at the International Federico Fellini Museum.

Divided into three different sections, the diffused museum invades the city and finds settings in the fifteenth-century Sigismondo Castle, at Valloni Palace, and Malatesta Square, the urban section of the museum.

It is possible to book visits on the official website or at the premises. Take advantage of the incredible position of this museum to also discover the fantastic Sigismondo Castle partly built by Brunelleschi, which is another landmark in Rimini.

Take a Panoramic Ride at Rimini’s Wheel

A massive Ferris wheel known as Ruota Panoramica is another attraction point in town. It is located on the edges of the city’s main beach with an impressive 55-meter height.

The wheel offers a great opportunity to discover the whole city from the sky and it is a fun thing to do when visiting Rimini. The whole ride takes about 20 minutes as the wheel moves quite slowly for you to enjoy the panoramic views so be sure to bring your camera along.

John Paul II Park and Mariotti Lake

Those who enjoy green spaces and being in contact with nature will love Rimini’s several parks and piazzas. One of them is Parco Giovanni Paolo II (or John Paul II Park). 

Located in the southern part of the city, this is an impressive park with plenty of walking paths and benches to enjoy an afternoon far from the crowded beaches.

In the park, several kinds of sports are allowed, it is possible to ride bikes, jog, or simply explore the park following one of the many footpaths available.

Inside the park, you can also pay a visit to Mariotti Lake, to check out and also learn about the local flora and fauna.

Explore Nearby Riccione

If you came to Rimini ready to enjoy the beaches, then a short trip to the nearby coastal town of Riccione is another thing you should do. 

The lively settlement is a favorite place among young Italians who love spending their vacations here not just for the beautiful shore, but also to take advantage of the nightclubs and beach bars in the area.

However, Riccione is a relaxing place for people of other ages, with its several spa facilities and thermal springs, the place is perfect for pampering and enjoying some quality time on the Romagna Riviera.

Enjoy One of Rimini’s Theme Parks

There are two very different theme parks in the area of Rimini, geared to families with kids but attracting visitors of all ages. The first is Italia in Miniatura (which could be roughly translated as Miniature Italy).

The park is a short car ride from the center (about 20 minutes on Super Strada 16) and it guarantees fun moments as well as incredible photo options too. 

In the park, you will find a scale replica of some of the most famous monuments in the country, reconstructed with utmost detail. Over here you can explore the Colosseum, and admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa or Saint Peter’s Cathedral.

The park also has whimsical boat rides through mini-Venice, a kid-sized driving school, water cannons, fun rides, a parrot sanctuary, and much more to spend a whole day. Check ticket prices here.

Another extremely fun theme park to visit is a favorite of Italian kids, Mirabilandia, The park is also a few minutes out of Rimini and it features all kinds of attractions and rides for the whole family, from very small kids to adults. 

Some of the most popular attractions include a Ferris wheel, water rides, and super thrilling rollercoasters.

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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.