Bologna travel guide: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Bologna.
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- lively, family-friendly resort beach with beach clubs and seafront nightlife
- Long sandy beach with paid stabilimenti (loungers and umbrellas, roughly EUR 15-30 / ~$17-35 per day) and free stretches (spiaggia libera)
- Lifeguards in season
- Showers, cafes and restaurants on the seafront
- Gentle, shallow water
- Bike hire and promenade
Rimini Beach (Marina Centro)
Adriatic beach resort reached by train from Bologna as a day trip; paid beach clubs plus free sections.
Editor’s tip. Take an early train from Bologna Centrale to secure a free-beach spot or a lounger before late morning.
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- stylish, lively resort beach mixing family days and nightlife
- Wide sandy beach with paid beach clubs and some free access
- Lifeguards in season
- Restaurants and bars on Viale Ceccarini
- Child-friendly shallow water
- Nearby Aquafan and Oltremare parks (open summer)
Riccione Beach
Adriatic beach resort reached by train from Bologna as a day trip; paid beach clubs plus free sections.
Editor’s tip. Choose a beach club close to the station side to shorten the walk, and arrive before 10:00 in July and August.
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- relaxed, traditional family resort beside a historic canal port
- Long sandy beach with stabilimenti and free stretches
- Lifeguards in season
- Canal port (Porto Canale) with restaurants
- Shallow water, suitable for families
Cesenatico Beach
Adriatic beach resort reached by train from Bologna as a day trip; paid beach clubs plus free sections.
Editor’s tip. Check Start Romagna bus times from Cesena at startromagna.it before leaving Bologna, as frequency drops outside peak hours.
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- leafy, upscale resort with calmer family areas
- Sandy beach with paid stabilimenti; some free beach
- Lifeguards in season
- Pine woods behind Milano Marittima and the Cervia salt pans nature reserve
- Seafront restaurants and cafes
Cervia and Milano Marittima Beach
Adriatic beach resort reached by train from Bologna as a day trip; paid beach clubs plus free sections.
Editor’s tip. Hire a bike at the station to cover the 1.5 km to the beach and explore the pine-lined streets.
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- relaxed, local-feeling beach with a working port
- Sandy beach with paid stabilimenti and free stretches
- Lifeguards in season
- Wide beaches and dunes at nearby Punta Marina and Marina Romea
- Combine with a visit to Ravenna's mosaics
Marina di Ravenna Beach (Lidi Ravennati)
Adriatic beach resort reached by train from Bologna as a day trip; paid beach clubs plus free sections.
Editor’s tip. See the Ravenna mosaics in the morning, then take the bus to the beach for the afternoon.
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- quiet, outdoorsy mountain reservoir for walkers and anglers
- Mountain reservoir with shoreline for walking and picnics
- Boating and fishing by permit; swimming rules vary with the local ordinance (check with the Comune di Castel di Casio)
- Hiking in the surrounding Apennine parkland
- Local restaurants in Suviana village
Lago di Suviana
Nearest freshwater alternative to the sea for Bologna visitors: an Apennine reservoir reached by the Porrettana line. Not a sea beach.
Editor’s tip. Check swimming rules with the Comune di Castel di Casio before entering the water.
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- remote, quiet mountain lake for walkers and anglers
- Mountain reservoir in the Apennines, popular for walking and quiet picnics
- Fishing by permit; bathing is subject to local ordinances (check with the Comune di Camugnano)
- Nearby Parco dei Laghi di Suviana e Brasimone with marked trails
- Basic cafe and restaurant options in the area
Lago del Brasimone
Nearest freshwater alternative to the sea for Bologna visitors: an Apennine reservoir reached by the Porrettana line. Not a sea beach.
Editor’s tip. Check bathing rules with the Comune di Camugnano before swimming.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Bologna’s coast.
How long does it take to get from Bologna to Rimini Beach?
Trains from Bologna Centrale take about 55 minutes to 1h 40min depending on the service. The beach is a 20-30 minute walk or short bus ride from Rimini station.
From the Rimini Beach (Marina Centro) editorial.
How much does a sun lounger cost at Rimini?
A lounger and umbrella at a paid stabilimento typically costs about EUR 15-30 (~$17-35) per day. Free beach sections are also available.
From the Rimini Beach (Marina Centro) editorial.
How far is Riccione Beach from the train station?
The beach is about a 10-15 minute walk from Riccione station through a flat town centre. No bus or car is needed.
From the Riccione Beach editorial.
How long is the train from Bologna to Riccione?
Fast trains take about 1h 10min and regional trains up to 2 hours. A one-way ticket costs roughly EUR 12-32 (~$14-37).
From the Riccione Beach editorial.
How do I get from Bologna to Cesenatico Beach?
Take a train from Bologna Centrale to Cesena in about one hour, then a Start Romagna bus to Cesenatico in about 30 minutes. The total journey is roughly 1h 30min to 2 hours and costs about EUR 12-16 (~$14-18).
From the Cesenatico Beach editorial.
Is Cesenatico suitable for children?
Yes. The sea is shallow and gently shelving, lifeguards are on duty in season, and the atmosphere is quieter than at the larger resorts.
From the Cesenatico Beach editorial.
How far is the beach from Cervia-Milano Marittima station?
The beach is about 1.5 km from the station. Visitors usually take a local bus, hire a bike or walk for around 20 minutes.
From the Cervia and Milano Marittima Beach editorial.
How long does it take to reach Cervia from Bologna?
The train takes about 1h 30min to 2 hours, sometimes with a change at Ravenna or Castelbolognese. A one-way ticket costs roughly EUR 10-14 (~$12-16).
From the Cervia and Milano Marittima Beach editorial.