We reckon 2024 will be the year that Italy’s Adriatic Riviera enjoys an influx of new interest, and one of the most exciting spots to visit along this underrated stretch has to be the city of Rimini—its incredible coastal location is only made more appealing by its rich cuisine, colourful history and Wes Anderson-esque design. Here are four fantastic reasons why Rimini should be at the top of your city break bucket list next year…
The Adriatic Coast
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Rimini is home to an epic ten-mile stretch of pale-gold sand that leads into the strikingly turquoise Adriatic Sea. Most of the coastline is split into private sections where you’ll need to pay to gain entry, however this does mean that you’ll be guaranteed a sunlounger as well as access to facilities like hot tubs, watersports and gyms.
These areas also tend to back onto bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and you’ll find busy attractions like amusement parks, a beach arena and a big Ferris Wheel. The part of the beach around the big wheel, Marina Centro, is actually free to access and is particularly renowned for its vibrant nightlife!
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One of the chicest spots to settle in for the day however, is the private beach at the Hotel Continental, which is primarily reserved for guests at the hotel, but is open to the public too. The art nouveau Grand Hotel is also worth a visit, or even just a photograph! The hotel was built in Liberty style, which is an Italian variant of art nouveau that often features floral flourishes, ornate mouldings and wrought iron balconies. The magnificence continues inside, where you’ll find Murano glass and marble finishes…
The Exceptional Cuisine
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The region of Emilia Romagna is a foodie haven, and is responsible for staple delicacies such as parmigiano reggiano, mortadella and prosciutto, as well as lesser-known delights like sparkling red wine, tortellini in brodo, passatelli (pasta made up of breadcrumbs, eggs and grated parmesan cheese), and zuppa inglese, which is an Italian twist on our classic British trifle that actually translates to ‘English soup’. Legend has it that an English diplomat once requested trifle during a visit to the area, so the cook whipped up a version made of Italian ingredients. These included chocolate custard cream and sponge cake soaked in the aromatic scarlet liqueur Alchermes, and the concoction ended up being the first version of what would become one of the area’s traditional desserts!
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Rimini is a city that boasts a particularly plentiful cuisine, with the spoils of both the land and the Adriatic Sea within easy reach. One of the must-try dishes that hails from exactly this area is a type of flatbread called piadina, which is usually filled with the fresh and soft local squacquerone cheese. The city also boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants: Guido is a fine dining seafood restaurant on the beachfront, while Abocar Due Cucine brings flavours of South America to the Adriatic Riviera. The bright and homely Osteria de Borg has earned a Bib Gourmand award for its traditional, comforting menu.
La Dolce Vita
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Rimini is the birthplace of the renowned Italian film director Federico Fellini, who created masterpieces including La Dolce Vita and Amarcord. There are plenty of references to Fellini to be found around the city, including colourful murals in the narrow-alleyed, pastel-painted fishing district of Borgo San Giuliano.
Just off Piazza Cavour, which is one of the city’s prettiest squares and a brilliant spot to people-watch with a spritz or an ice cream, you’ll find the Fellini Museum and the Cinema Fulgor housed within a palazzo. On a visit to the museum, you can examine original posters and texts, watch some of the maestro’s best scenes, and even listen to voice recordings of the director himself.
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It’s the Cinema Fulgor that really is a sight to behold though. After a five-year restoration, it opened its doors on what would have been the director’s 98th birthday! From the illuminated art nouveau signage through to its undulating staircase, and then, of course, the pièce de résistance—the gilded, scarlet screening room.
The Enthralling History
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Unsurprisingly, Rimini boasts a rich history, and much of this can still be marvelled at just by wandering the city. Some of the most incredible constructions that still remain include the oldest surviving Roman arch, the Arch of Augustus, which was built in 27 BC, and the Tiberius Bridge over the river Marecchia, which is made of Istrian stone and features five arches.
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Arguably the most fascinating piece of history to be found in Rimini however, is the Surgeon’s House, which was discovered in 1989 along with over 150 surgical instruments and several intricate mosaics. The house would have been two stories high, a sprawling space with two living rooms and a garden, and the surgeon in question lived there in the third century until much of the site was destroyed by a fire. The City Museum is the place to see the archaeological site and its artefacts, and while you’re there, you can discover more about Rimini’s famous fashion illustrator René Gruau too!
