A Day Trip to Rimini
A day trip to Rimini is one of the best ways to explore the city, combining both its lively beaches and the historic old town.
Located in the south-eastern part of Italy, Rimini is known for its beaches and bustling nightlife, but it's also a fascinating place to visit in full. Here are a few things you should definitely do on your trip to Rimini!
1. Visit the Fellini Museum
The Fellini Museum, opened earlier this month, draws visitors into the idiosyncratic cinematic universe of one of the world’s most celebrated directors. Located in Rimini, the birthplace of the director, it’s an immersive multimedia project that aims to fill the nostalgia of Fellini lovers and cultivate a new generation of fans.
As you move through the museum’s exhibit rooms, you’ll find a variety of quirky features that evoke the film director’s wit and surrealist sensibility. You’ll see a giant reclining sculpture of La Dolce Vita star Anita Ekberg, an arc of screens dedicated to Fellini’s wife Giulietta Masina from Nights of Cabiria and La Strada, wacky costumes (think papal shirts) with bronze appliques, and a fountain that sprays mist every half-hour to mimic the town’s iconic fog.
This multi-level and interactive museum is a tribute to the visionary spirit that shaped Fellini’s films, in a dialogue between innovation and tradition. It unfolds across three key locations in Rimini’s old town – Sismondo Castle, Malatesta Square, and Fulgor Palace – connecting diverse realities in the same goal: conveying the director’s expertise and creativity through the most relevant audio-visual materials.
You’ll also get to see some of the original scripts, costumes, letters and documents that he used in his movies. These will be complemented with video clips, interviews and drawings.
For a true Fellini fan, this is the place to be. Unlike Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, which has a more commercial appeal, Rimini’s Fellini Museum is an art-nouveau gem that’s dedicated to the director and plays his movies regularly. You can catch Amarcord at least once a week, and the theater has been recently refurbished to designs by Fellini’s friend and triple-Oscar-winning production designer Dante Ferretti.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Italy in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Bergamo you can rent a car from 15 euros per day, in Naples from 17 euros per day.
2. Walk along the promenade
A day trip to Rimini is a great way to experience this Italian city and it offers plenty of attractions for tourists. The long promenade stretches for miles along the beach, with first-rate hotels, restaurants and bars lining it. It is the perfect place for tourists to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Alternatively, you can explore the Roman Arches that are dotted throughout the city centre. One of the most important of these is the Arch of Augustus, which was built in 27 BC and is considered to be the oldest surviving Roman structure in Northern Italy.
Another interesting Roman structure is the Tempio Malatestiano, which was built in the 15th century and features works by artists such as Giotto and Piero della Francesca. You can also visit the Castel Sismondo, an ancient fortress that is today home to art exhibitions and events.
For those who prefer to get out and about, there are many parks in Rimini where you can stroll and take in the beautiful scenery. Some are free and others have a small fee.
Other areas of interest include the Borgo San Giuliano, a lively area with cobbled streets and pastel-coloured houses. It is also home to a number of murals and some are inspired by Fellini's films.
If you're feeling adventurous, there are also several theme parks in Rimini that you can explore. These are perfect for families and will keep you entertained for hours.
There are a number of beaches along the promenade, with those closer to the city center more family-friendly. You can choose from a wide variety of activities including sandcastle building, cheecoting, piadina making and yoga lessons.
3. Visit the Roman Arches
If you’re staying in Rimini for the day you should make time to visit one of the Roman Arches. They are a very important part of Roman architecture and were used to help the Romans build bigger buildings, longer roads and better aqueducts.
There are three types of arch in Rome: structural arches, triumphal arches and decorative arches (figures 16, 17, 18). Structural arches are structures that help to support the weight of a building or other structure, such as an aqueduct.
The structural arches of Rome are usually found in aqueduct arcades and bridges, but they are also seen in buildings and monuments like free-standing amphitheaters. They are very common, especially in the city centre.
They are able to support the weight of the building without the use of a beam. This is because their peculiar shape allows them to spread out the weight of the structure, which makes them much more resistant than a beam.
You can see many of the structural arches in Rome along the Via Appia, a road that connects Ciampino Airport to downtown Rome. It is a beautiful route to take and you’ll be able to admire the magnificent aqueducts that line the way.
Another great example of an architectural piece is the Triumphal Arch of Titus, a monument built in 81 CE by Domitian to commemorate his brother’s war campaigns against the Jews. It is made of Pentelic marble and has a central opening and elaborate carvings on the inside telling the story of his war victories.
The Arch of Septimus Severus is another important one to see, it’s located at the southern end of Corso d’Augusto and was erected to mark the victory over the Parthians in 200 BCE. It is made of masonry and Pentelic marble and has 3 fornices: a central, taller one and two small ones at the left and right. The arch is decorated with a variety of sculptures on both the interior and exterior.
4. Go to the beach
Rimini is one of the most popular resort cities in Italy thanks to its fantastic beaches, interesting history, beautiful parks and charming Piazzas. Thousands of tourists flock to the city each year to relax, soak up the sun and enjoy everything this lovely city has to offer.
A day trip to Rimini is an ideal way to experience the best that this beautiful coastal town has to offer, without rushing around. You can easily visit the Arch of Augustus and other historical sites, walk along the beach, eat in bars and take a boat trip to the island of San Marino, which is only 20 km from Rimini.
There are also several stunning public parks in the area, such as the Parco Giovanni Paolo II, which is in the southern part of the city and home to Lago Mariotti – a large lake that’s perfect for walking or jogging, as well as families with young children.
The nearby Museo della Citta has a good archaeological section and reconstructions of two rooms where a local surgeon would have practiced centuries ago, as well as some interesting old views and plans. Upstairs is an art gallery that showcases works from both artists and local churches and houses.
The area of Rimini south of the centre is home to Malatestiano Temple, a 15th-century reconstruction of an old Franciscan church that’s now a mausoleum for Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, a local nobleman. Nearby is the Malatesta-built Castel Sismondo, a medieval fortress that now hosts cultural events. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can also go hiking in the surrounding mountains.
5. Take a boat trip
When you're in Rimini, one of the best ways to experience the city's stunning coastline is by taking a boat trip. There are several ports in the area that offer boat tours, including Cattolica, Portoverde (Misano), and Riccione. These excursions are ideal for anyone who wants to relax and take in the beauty of the water.
While many people think of boat trips as relaxing and romantic, they can also be fun for families. If you have children, consider booking a family tour on a catamaran that includes snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks.
For an exclusive and romantic experience, book a dinner on board with a live band or violinist. This will ensure a truly memorable time on the water.
Whether you're looking for a day of adventure on the water or a relaxing cruise with a glass of wine, a boat trip in Rimini is the perfect way to spend a few hours. There are a number of tours available, from romantic sunset cruises to one-way white water trips.
The most important thing to remember when preparing for a boat trip is to pack everything you need in a waterproof bag. This will help keep your belongings safe in case the weather changes unexpectedly.
You should also make sure to bring plenty of water with you. The water temperature can change quickly, and you'll want to stay hydrated during your boat ride.
It's also important to wear clothes that will protect you from the sun. You'll want to bring sunglasses and sunscreen as well as a hat.
Finally, you should check to see if any fuel docks or marinas will be open on your travel date. If they aren't, you should call ahead to reschedule your boating trip. This will ensure a stress-free vacation.