Things to Do and See in Rimini

Rimini, the capital of the province of the same name, known as the “capital of entertainment”—especially for its abundance of nightclubs and its kilometers of beaches with the finest sand—is also rich in history and culture: it was, in fact, a Roman colony, occupied by the Goths and the Byzantines, until it came under the rule of the Malatesta family during the Renaissance. Roman-era landmarks include the Arch of Augustus (27 B.C.), the oldest of its kind still standing today, the Amphitheater, and the five-arched Tiberius Bridge—which is still passable—as well as the important archaeological complex of the Surgeon’s House. From the medieval period, we find the Palazzo dell’Arengo and the splendid 14th-century frescoes in the Church of Sant’Agostino—a masterpiece of a prolific school that drew its inspiration from Giotto—as well as the Byzantine parish church of Santarcangelo. Meanwhile, Sigismondo Malatesta, of the Malatesta dynasty—one of the most powerful families of the era—bestowed upon the city its two Renaissance jewels: the Malatesta Temple, one of the masterpieces of Renaissance art, designed by Leon Battista Alberti and adorned with Giotto’s crucifix, a fresco by Piero della Francesca, and bas-reliefs by Agostino di Duccio and Matteo de’ Pasti; and Castel Sigismono, which, now restored, still dominates the historic center of Rimini. Finally, in 1400, the two greatest representatives of the rival families faced off and clashed: Sigismondo Malatesta and Federico da Montefeltro, who not only renovated the entire defensive system—comprising dozens upon dozens of fortresses, castles, and towers—but also commissioned the construction of major works, among which San Leo, Verucchio—not to mention the civic museum and the remains of the ancient Villanovan civilization from a very early era—as well as Santarcangelo, Torriana, Montefiore, and Mondaino. In the rest of the province, we recommend visiting Riccione, Bellaria Igea Marina, Cattolica, and Misano Adriatico—all along the coast—seaside resorts renowned throughout Europe for their beaches of the finest sand and shallow waters, making them ideal even for children. There are numerous amusement parks—including several water parks—hundreds of nightclubs, cinemas and theaters, wellness centers—both within hotels and standalone facilities (such as those in Rimini Terme and Riccione Terme)—as well as the international racetrack in Rimini Terme and Riccione, which also hosts MotoGP races.