Rimini: Top 15 attractions in the Italian resort

San Giuliano neighborhood

This neighborhood of Rimini gained its popularity thanks to an internationally renowned film director. For centuries, Borgo San Giuliano was just a disadvantaged suburb of Rimini. Since it became one of the favorite places of director Federico Fellini, its streets and squares have undergone a remarkable transformation.

After the death of the great master of Italian cinema houses were painted with colorful frescoes, balconies were decorated with flowers, and many houses were restored. Borgo San Giuliano turned into a fashionable neighborhood with a corresponding atmosphere and real estate prices.

However, if you have not come to the Italian city to buy an apartment, the San Giulio district will give you an atmospheric impression and tell its story, filled with cozy restaurants and noisy bars.

Amphitheater

The Roman amphitheater in Rimini was built in the 2nd century AD. The construction of the amphitheater was a step forward for the city's status.

The surviving ruins allow you to visualize the majesty of the structure. The ancient Roman arena was used for competitions and battles of gladiators. According to scientists, it was designed for 12,000 visitors. For many years the object served as a reliable defense structure of the city. The program to restore and strengthen the architectural monument was launched in the sixties of the last century.

Today, the amphitheater hosts a variety of spectacular events.

City Museum

The City Museum of Rimini preserves the historical and cultural heritage of the city and its surroundings. It is located in an 18th century Jesuit monastery.

Here you can see small pieces of stone that the Romans used as entrance tickets to the Amphitheater, or small statues of gladiators. A rare treasure of Roman coins, magnificent mosaics, amphorae, bricks from the clay kilns run by the first entrepreneurs in Rimini.

The museum has recently opened a new archaeological section. It is dedicated to the imperial period of Rimini of the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

The Arch of Emperor Augustus

Despite its ordinary appearance, this structure has incredible historical value. It was created over 2,000 years ago. It is the oldest arch in all of Italy.

The arch received its name in honor of Caesar's son Augustus Octavianus. By the way, an inscription on the most extant construction allows us to learn about this fact. It is also known that the arch was decorated with a sculptural composition, on which the emperor drove horses.

Now it is decorated with stone teeth of several towers. The current purpose of the site is to separate the roadway from the pedestrian area and a tourist magnet.

Gambalunga Palace and Library

All lovers of bygone eras are sure to enjoy this temple of art, as you can view original furnishings, paintings, and other household and decorative items in the 17th- and 18th-century rooms.

This building once belonged to the patron Alessandro Gambalunga, who was very fond of literature. In 1617 he gave it to the city of Rimini. The library has 230,000 volumes, among them 1350 ancient manuscripts from the time of the Malatesta princes. And on the first floor of the palazzo there is a movie library, where all the tapes of Federico Fellini, a native of the city, are kept.

We assume that the guests of the palace will be interested to get acquainted with volumes of ancient books, graduals, codices, manuscripts and other valuables of the local library.

National Motorcycle Museum

The National Motorcycle Museum on the outskirts of Rimini is a great introduction to the history of the two-wheeled vehicle. The Italians know a thing or two about motorcycles.

The museum was born from the ideas of three private collectors: Germano Corvatta, Giuseppe Savoretti and Tino Zagini. It was their collection that formed the core of the museum's collection, which was opened to the public in 1993. Over the next 25 years, the museum's collections grew and now provide an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of motorcycles.

Today, the museum's permanent exhibition is housed in 4 halls covering an area of 700 square meters. The collection has about 260 exhibits, among which there are representatives of 55 different manufacturers. Here are the first bicycles, sports motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, scooters and many other thematic exhibits.

Italy in miniature amusement park

Italy in Miniature Amusement Park is one of the most unusual parks that introduces visitors to Italy's unique historical, architectural and cultural heritage.

The park was founded in 1970, and since then it has been visited by about half a million tourists every year. On its territory there are 270 reproductions of architectural wonders of Italy, created with maximum accuracy and diligence. There are also more than five thousand miniature trees, which reproduce the flora of the country and give the park a special appeal.

The park covers an area of 85,000 square meters and all the models can be viewed on foot or by monorail. The park has several rides, go-karting and an arcade. Periodically, costume shows and entertainment programs are held there.

Church of St. Augustine

Like any self-respecting Italian city, Rimini has quite a few majestic churches in its expanse. One of such shrines is the architectural gem of the city, included in any list of the best attractions in Rimini — the Church of St. Augustine. It was created by the hermits of St. Augustine back in the 13th century in Romanesque-Gothic style.

The facade of the majestic building is made of stone and brick, decorated with bas-reliefs, stucco and a portal with semi-columns. The height of the bell tower of the temple is more than 50 meters, making it a beacon for ships entering the port.

Rimini's beaches

There are as many as 250 different beaches in Rimini, and it is very difficult to choose among them. The philosophy of the beaches of Rimini is that life here rages day and night. Everything starts at dawn and ends late at night.

On the beach you can do yoga, learn different kinds of handicrafts, do all kinds of water sports, dance and just relax.

The best part is that all facilities, showers, changing rooms, books, newspapers, different games, entertainment and kids club on the beaches are absolutely free! All this is already included in the daily price of an umbrella or a sun lounger. But there are also free sections of beaches in Rimini, no less interesting and beautiful.

Tempio Malatestiano

Cathedral of Rimini, built in the 15th century, designed by L. Alberti, a Renaissance scholar, architect and humanist.

The very first church on the site was built in the IX century. In the XIII century it was replaced by the Gothic church of the Franciscan Order, which was reconstructed by order of the ruler Sighismondo Pandolfi. At the beginning of the XIX century French troops destroyed the nearby Franciscan monastery, the church itself was re-consecrated as a city cathedral.

This church became one of the key buildings of the city, marking an uncompromising break with the medieval architectural tradition and the origin of many techniques of ancient architecture.

Surgeon's House

One of the most important historical sights of Rimini is the Surgeon's House. Thisunique archaeological complex located in Rimini on Piazza Ferrari. Today it is covered by a huge glass dome and is open to the public. Archaeological scholars call it the "little Pompeii" in the center of Rimini.

Finds made on the territory of the complex have already gained popularity around the world — it was here that the oldest surgical instruments were discovered, now stored in the City Museum.

Also found in the complex were traces of flooring made of crushed shards, the remains of an early medieval settlement, the foundations of some buildings from the 16th-18th centuries, stone wells and a granary, probably belonging to the church of San Patrignano. All these artifacts, now in the care of the Municipal Museum, give an insight into the life of Rimini over the last two thousand years.

Federico Fellini Museum

Apart from other numerous achievements, the city of Rimini is also the birthplace of Federico Fellini. It was this city that inspired the iconic Italian director to shoot "Amarcord" and "Mama's Boys." Fellini spent almost his entire life in Rome, but regularly returned to his hometown. It was here that a museum dedicated to the director was opened in 2021.

The main part of the exposition is located on the territory of the Sismondo Castle. Inside there are 16 halls. Each is devoted to a special theme. So one of the rooms tells about the life of Giulietta Masina: actress, wife and muse of Fellini. Another is dedicated to the famous "Book of Dreams" — the director's diary, where he sketched his fantasies and wrote down his dreams. A few more rooms extol two favorite actors of the legendary master: Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg.

And in the recently restored Fulgor Cinema, where little Fellini was allowed to watch pictures for free because he drew posters for them, you can see the Italian's iconic films.

Fiabilandia Amusement Park

Fiabilandia amusement park, located in the vicinity of Rimini, is one of the oldest theme parks in Italy — it was opened in 1965.

There are several dozens of rides, many playgrounds, restaurants and recreation areas. Visitors can swim on a pirate ship, swim in the "Dream Lake" or go on a fascinating excursion to the "Castle of Merlin the Wizard".

San Leo Fortress

The last point of our selection, the San Leo Fortress is located in the province of Rimini, 35 km from the city. Due to its geomorphological features, the area around the San Leo Fortress resembles a rocky island. The fortress was built here in the 15th century. The first buildings were built by slaves from ancient Rome

After the death of the last of the owners, the fortress went to the Vatican. The popes kept their most dangerous opponents in the impregnable citadel, including the world-famous Count Cagliostro, who spent the last 4 years of his life here in solitary confinement.

Currently, the fortress houses a museum.