A perennially popular seaside resort, Rimini is to the Italians what Blackpool or Brighton is to the English - though perhaps with rather better food. This Italian Adriatic town is a great place for families then, with plenty of hotels, and very affordable restaurants, cafes and pizzerias, plus plenty to occupy the kids. Connections are excellent, with six railway stations and Federico Fellini international airport, which serves both Rimini and San Marino. Rimini also has a buzzing nightlife, especially down the coast towards Riccione (somewhat hopefully dubbed 'Ibiza on the Adriatic'). It's rather less frenetic than Ibiza in fact, and the family resort and night scene quite happily co-exist.
The bit of Rimini that visitors tend to bypass is old town, but despite the major bomb damage in World War II there is much of historic interest to see. Rimini, of course, is at the eastern end of the Via Emilia, the Roman road that bisects Emilia-Romagna and runs up through Bologna, Modena and Parma. A long, and much invaded history saw the Romans then the Goths ruling the strategically important town, which during the Renaissance was ruled by the Malatesta dynasty (including evil Sigismondo, excommunicated by the Pope).
The legacy in the old town is a rich one. See the Roman Arch of Augustus, amphitheatre and Tiberius Bridge. There is the 13th century cathedral, redesigned to Sigismondo's specification, and his Castel Sismondo, which later became a gaol. There are a number of important churches, the town hall has a good picture gallery and there is an archaeological museum.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Rimini hotels.
