Melih Kağan Özel Rimini, located in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is about 120 kilometers away from Bologna. I first heard of this city thanks to a casual movie I watched on Netflix. Later on, I did some research and discovered that it’s a popular vacation spot for many Northern Italians and European tourists. In short, Rimini is a calm and beautiful city that perfectly fits the beach-sun-sand trio, ideal for summer trips. Its shoreline stretches approximately fifteen kilometers along the Adriatic Sea and is famous for its wide, sandy beaches.
Places to Visit
Tiberius Bridge (Ponte di Tiberio)
Built between 14 and 21 AD during the reign of Roman Emperor Tiberius, this bridge is a remarkable example of Roman engineering. With five sections supported by two large arches, Tiberius Bridge crosses over the Marecchia River. This structure reflects the influence of ancient Rome on the city of Rimini and showcases the advanced engineering techniques of the Roman era. The fact that it is still in use is a testament to the durability of the structure and the impressive architectural skills of ancient times.
Malatesta Temple (Tempio Malatestiano)
Built in the 15th century by one of Rimini’s prominent rulers, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, this temple actually serves as a cathedral. The architecture of the temple, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, combines Gothic and Renaissance styles.
Castel Sismondo
Built by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta between 1437 and 1446, this castle reflects the history of Rimini. Initially planned as a military defense structure, the castle was constructed to protect Rimini and its surroundings.
Arch of Augustus (Arco di Augusto)
Built in 27 BC by Roman Emperor Augustus, this arch is the oldest triumphal arch in Italy. It served as a gateway to the city and was built in honor of the emperor, highlighting Rimini’s strategic importance within the Roman Empire.
Italia in Miniatura
Opened in the 1970s, this theme park showcases Italy’s famous landmarks and symbols in miniature models. In the park, you can see iconic structures like the canals of Venice, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in their miniature forms.
Accommodation
Staying in Rimini is quite affordable, and most hotels are located close to the beach. With so many hotels available, it’s possible to find rooms at reasonable prices. We stayed at Hotel Adler in the Rivazzura area, about a five-minute walk from the sea. The rooms were small but had a balcony. Since we only used the hotel for sleeping at night, the small size of the room was not an issue for us. Because the first week of September marked the end of the season, we paid a modest fee of 17.5 euros per night, including city tax.
We booked through a travel agency we had never heard of before because they offered the best price. At first, we had some concerns since there was no information about them online, but the reservation process went smoothly, and they responded to every message attentively. The agency’s name is Amimir.com, and if you come across it and they offer a lower price, you can make a reservation with peace of mind without worrying about scams.
Food
Rimini has many restaurants, but seafood generally stands out. From personal experience, I can say that they are not as good with pizza as other Italian cities; finding a proper Neapolitan pizza can be challenging.
Bounty Rimini
This restaurant is one of Rimini’s most popular, with a pirate-themed decor. The restaurant resembles a ship and offers a wide menu. They serve many dishes and cocktails to their customers and remain open throughout the entire year, unlike other restaurants. They also organize events like live music, karaoke, and quiz nights according to the season.
Rossopomodoro
Rossopomodoro is a chain restaurant based in Naples, with many locations. It’s also quite popular in Rimini and is known mainly for its pizzas. Additionally, it’s the official sponsor of Rimini’s football team. This restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere for dinner.
Pizza Italia
We chose this place because it was close to our hotel. The pizza chef is from Naples, and there were photos of Maradona inside the restaurant. We tried the four-cheese and Margherita pizzas, and both were delicious. However, I wouldn’t recommend the tiramisu; I’ve had better elsewhere. As for prices, it’s quite affordable.
Cascina del Gaucho
This is a steakhouse located outside the city center. We took the bus to get there, but after a certain time in the evening, there are no buses available, so keep that in mind; otherwise, you may have to walk for an hour. The first waiter who attended to us didn’t speak any English, so we initially had some communication issues, but later someone who spoke English helped us. We wanted to order the Fiorentina steak, but there was a minimum order of one kilo, so we opted for something else.
We tried the Argentine-style ribeye and buffalo ribeye. Upon the waiter’s recommendation, we ordered our steak medium rare. The Argentine ribeye was delicious and juicy, but I can’t say the same for the buffalo steak.
Piadina
Piadina is not the name of a restaurant but rather a famous type of bread unique to the Rimini region. This bread is used to make sandwiches with various fillings. It’s a popular street food in the city and is available in many areas. I recommend trying a piadina sandwich according to your taste; my favorite was mozzarella, basil, and tomato.
La Romana Dal 1947
When planning my trip to Rimini, I expected to eat quality gelato – after all, I was going to its homeland. However, the gelato I had was so good that it didn’t disappoint me despite my high expectations. I saw the La Romana Dal 1947 sign, got in line, and eagerly waited. Inside, there was beautiful lighting, around twenty flavors stored in metal tubs (some permanent, some seasonal), and various cone options based on the number of scoops.
Many of the labels, including the flavor names, were in Italian, and because I rushed in without checking the menu, I didn’t know what to order. Fortunately, the friendly and patient staff spoke English and recommended flavors compatible with my first choice (Caramel Macchiato). I was very pleased with their recommendations, completed my order, and left the shop very happy. This experience fueled my love for gelato, and I couldn’t resist returning the next evening.
When I entered the street where the shop is located, an even larger crowd awaited me compared to the previous day. People were sitting around, enjoying their gelato. The street was practically filled with people who came specifically for this gelateria. The line looked even longer than the day before, and when it was finally my turn, I tried the first flavor introduced by the shop since its opening, called “Crema dal 1947.” As I went in, I expected a classic creamy or milky flavor, but I was curious to see how this shop would interpret it after my previous experience.
Crema dal 1947 turned out not to be a simple or classic flavor as I had thought; it was vanilla and lemon. I got my gelato, found myself a spot on the street like everyone else, and enjoyed a taste that was both different and better than I expected. I believe it’s worth every cent, and I highly recommend it. (I paid 3.5 euros for three scoops – probably the best 3.5 euros I ever spent.)
Transportation
We arrived in Rimini by bus from Milan, but the most convenient option might be to fly to Bologna and then take a train to Rimini. Rimini has an airport, but as far as I know, there are no direct flights from Turkey to Rimini; the closest is Bologna. For transportation within the city, you can use a service called Metromare, which reaches every corner of the city. Alternatively, you can use buses. There are three-day and weekly ticket packages available. I bought my tickets through the MooneyGo app, which I downloaded on my phone – it was a simple and easy-to-use app.
Adriatic Sea
There’s a fact everyone who visits Rimini seems to agree on: Rimini’s sea is, unfortunately, not that great. The color isn’t blue or turquoise, and the sea is quite shallow. Many of the tourists we spoke to even mentioned that they found Antalya’s sea much more beautiful. While it may not be entirely satisfying in terms of the sea, I can say that the service here is excellent. Sun loungers, cafes, children’s parks, sports areas, and the cleanliness of the beach are all very impressive. Additionally, the endless shoreline is perfect for long walks.
Nightlife
Carnaby
We chose this club because it was only a 3-4 minute walk from our hotel, and it had good reviews. The establishment has three floors and a friendly staff. Smoking is allowed on the top floor. Each floor plays a different type of music, and the dance floor size varies from floor to floor. The club offers several themes that vary from day to day, such as ‘Neon Party’ and ‘Traffic Lights,’ so you can feel comfortable visiting on multiple nights.
The drink quality and prices were fair. Also, it’s worth noting that the club loosens its 18+ age rule to 16+ for the ‘Traffic Lights’ event nights. Aside from that, it’s a fun place with friendly staff, the best music, and the most energetic floor is definitely the top one.
Coconuts
We added this venue to our itinerary because it had the highest rating on Google. It’s a spacious, single-story club with an open-air concept. The bar section can be a bit inadequate due to the crowd, so you may have to wait in line, but the dance floor is sufficient. The combination of music, lights, and the pleasant-smelling smoke released onto the dance floor at intervals creates a unique atmosphere. Entry fees vary; we paid 12 euros, which included a drink.
Cocoricò (in Riccione)
Known as one of the most famous nightclubs in Europe, it hosts world-renowned DJs during the summer. It’s a place every techno fan should visit at least once in their life. Entry fees and drink prices are significantly higher compared to other clubs. The club has a pyramid shape with a glass ceiling. Located in Riccione, near Rimini, it sometimes offers shuttle services for nighttime returns during summer. I recommend checking their website and Instagram account.
Altromondo Studios
Located in the Rimini area, this is a long-established techno club, similar to Cocoricò in size. Therefore, it may not be open every day and season; it’s best to check in advance. It hosts various themed parties, the most famous being the foam party. Entry fees are high.
Bonus
If you’ve read this far, congratulations! You’ve just unlocked access to a piece of secret information. Rimini is famous for its local wines and olive oils. As we often use olive oil at home, I wanted to bring a local one as a gift for my family, but I didn’t want to buy it from the markets. I asked a local resident in Rimini, and they recommended a wine shop where they sell both local wines and olive oils. You can buy your souvenirs from there. The shop’s name is Vulpitta Dolciumi – Corso 101. Click on it to see the location.
