Italy's most iconic resort city combines Italy's oldest triumphal arch (27 BC), the Tiberius Bridge (20 BC), the Renaissance Malatesta Temple, and beautiful Adriatic beaches. Perfect mix of history and beach in summer.
Rimini lies 116km southeast of Bologna on the Adriatic coast of Emilia-Romagna, reached in about 1 hour 20 minutes by direct regional train from Bologna Centrale (€10-18 one way). The train is the obvious choice, dropping visitors a short walk from both the historic center and, in the other direction, the long sandy beachfront. Far more than a summer resort, Rimini began as the Roman colony of Ariminum, and its center preserves two outstanding monuments: the Arco di Augusto (27 BC), Italy's oldest surviving triumphal arch, and the five-arched Ponte di Tiberio (begun 14 AD), still carrying traffic over the Marecchia after two millennia. Between them stretch Piazza Tre Martiri, the old Roman forum, and the lanes of the medieval Borgo San Giuliano with its Fellini-themed murals, a nod to the director born here. The Renaissance Tempio Malatestiano, redesigned by Leon Battista Alberti for the warlord Sigismondo Malatesta, holds a Piero della Francesca fresco and a Giotto crucifix. A balanced one-day arc is to arrive mid-morning, walk the historic center from the Arch of Augustus through the forum to the Tiberius Bridge and Tempio Malatestiano, break for lunch, then spend the warm afternoon on the beach. Rimini's free public beach sections sit beside the long row of stabilimenti (beach clubs) where a lounger and umbrella run about €15-20 a day. Late spring and September offer warm sea and thinner crowds; July and August are hot and packed, while the off-season suits a history-only visit. Arriving by late morning balances sightseeing with an afternoon swim. For food, the local piadina romagnola flatbread is everywhere, and seafood trattorie near the port serve brodetto fish stew, grilled Adriatic catch, and the regional Sangiovese; beachfront bars handle drinks and snacks. Tickets are generally unnecessary as the Roman monuments are free to view outdoors; only the Tempio Malatestiano and city museums charge modest entry, payable on arrival.
Highlights
- Arco di Augusto (27 BC)
- Ponte di Tiberio (20 BC)
- Malatesta Temple (Leon Battista Alberti)
- Adriatic beach swimming
Tips for visiting
- Direct regional trains from Bologna Centrale reach Rimini in about 1 hour 20 minutes for €10-18; the station sits between the historic center and the beachfront.
- The Roman Arch of Augustus and Tiberius Bridge are free outdoor monuments, so no tickets are needed for the historic core.
- For the beach, expect to pay about €15-20 a day for a lounger and umbrella at a stabilimento, or use the free public beach sections.
- Visit in late spring or September for warm sea without July-August crowds and prices.
- Try a piadina romagnola from a kiosk, or seafood brodetto at a trattoria near the port for a coastal lunch.
When to visit
Late spring and September bring warm sea and lighter crowds; arrive by late morning to walk the Roman center before spending the afternoon on the beach.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Bologna to Rimini?
Direct regional trains take about 1 hour 20 minutes from Bologna Centrale and cost roughly €10-18 each way, running frequently throughout the day.
Can I combine Roman history and the beach in one day?
Yes. The compact historic center with the Arch of Augustus, Tiberius Bridge, and Tempio Malatestiano can be walked in a morning, leaving the afternoon for the nearby Adriatic beach.
Do I need to pay for the beach in Rimini?
There are free public beach sections, but most of the shoreline is organized into beach clubs where a lounger and umbrella cost about €15-20 per day.