Rimini: Top 15 attractions of the Italian resort

San Giuliano District

This district of Rimini gained its popularity thanks to the world-famous film director. For many centuries, Borgo San Giuliano was just a troubled suburb of Rimini. Since this area became one of the favorite places of the director Federico Fellini, its streets and squares have noticeably transformed.

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

However, if you have not come to the Italian city with the aim of buying an apartment, the San Giuliano district will make an atmospheric impression on you and tell its story filled with cozy restaurants and lively bars.

Amphitheater

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

The surviving ruins allow us to imagine the grandeur of the structure. The ancient Roman arena was used for competitions and gladiator battles. According to scholars, it could accommodate 12,000 visitors. For many years, the site served as a reliable defensive structure for the city. The restoration and strengthening program of the architectural monument was launched in the sixties of the last century.

Today, various spectacular events take place in the amphitheater.

City Museum

The Rimini City Museum 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. Rare treasures of Roman coins, magnificent mosaics, amphorae, bricks from clay ovens, which were managed by the first entrepreneurs in Rimini.

Recently, a new archaeological section was opened in the museum. It is dedicated to the imperial period of Rimini in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Arch of Emperor Augustus

Despite its ordinary appearance, this structure has incredible historical value. It was built over 2000 years ago. It is the oldest arch in the entire territory of Italy.

The arch got its name in honor of Caesar's son Augustus Octavian. By the way, this fact is known from the inscription on the most preserved part of the structure. It is also known that the arch was decorated with a sculptural composition depicting the emperor driving horses.

Currently, it is adorned with stone teeth of several towers. The current purpose of the object is to separate the roadway from the pedestrian zone and serve as a tourist attraction.

Gambalunga Palace and Library

All lovers of bygone eras will definitely enjoy this temple of art, as here you can see original furniture, canvases, and other household items and decorations in the halls of the 17th-18th centuries.

This building once belonged to the patron of the arts Alessandro Gambalunga, who was very fond of literature. In 1617, he transferred it to the ownership of the city of Rimini. The library houses 230,000 volumes, including 1350 ancient manuscripts from the time of the Malatesta princes. And on the ground floor of the palace, there is a film library that contains all the films of the city's native director, Federico Fellini.

We assume that the guests of the palace will be interested in acquainting themselves with volumes of ancient books, graduals, codices, manuscripts, and other treasures of the local library.

National Motorcycle Museum

The National Motorcycle Museum in the suburbs of Rimini is an excellent excursion into the history of the two-wheeled vehicle. Italians are particularly knowledgeable about it.

The museum was born from the ideas of three private collectors: Germano Corvetta, Giuseppe Savoretti, and Tino Zangini. 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 offer an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of motorcycles.

Today, the museum's permanent exhibition is located in 4 halls covering an area of 700 square meters. The collection includes about 260 exhibits, representing 55 different manufacturers. Here you can find the first bicycles, sports motorcycles, sidecar motorcycles, scooters, and many other thematic exhibits.

Italy in Miniature Amusement Park

The "Italy in Miniature" Amusement Park is one of the most unusual parks, introducing visitors to the unique historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of Italy.

The park was founded in 1970, and since then it has been visited by about half a million tourists annually. The territory houses 270 reproductions of Italy's architectural wonders, created with maximum accuracy and diligence. There are also more than five thousand miniature trees reproducing the country's flora, adding a special charm to the park.

The park covers an area of 85,000 square meters, and all models can be viewed on foot or by monorail train. There are several attractions in the park, karting, and a hall with arcade games. Periodically, costume shows and entertainment programs are held there.

Church of Saint Augustine

Like any respectable Italian city, Rimini boasts numerous majestic temples. One of such sanctuaries is the architectural gem of the city, which is included in any list of the best attractions of Rimini - the Church of Saint Augustine. It was founded by the hermits of St. Augustine back in the 13th century, in the Romanesque-Gothic style.

The facade of the majestic building is made of stone and brick, adorned with reliefs, molding, and a portal with half-columns. The height of the church's bell tower is over 50 meters, making it a beacon for ships entering the port.

Rimini Beaches

Rimini boasts a total of 250 diverse beaches, making it very difficult to choose among them. The philosophy of Rimini's beaches is to have life bustling here day and night. It all starts at dawn and ends late at night.

On the beach, you can practice yoga, learn various handicrafts, engage in all kinds of water sports, dance, and simply relax.

What's most interesting is that all amenities, showers, changing rooms, books, newspapers, various games, entertainment, and a children's club on the beaches are absolutely free! All of this is already included in the daily cost of an umbrella or sun lounger. But there are also free sections of beaches in Rimini, which are no less interesting and beautiful.

Tempio Malatestiano

The Cathedral of Rimini, built in the 15th century according to the design by L. Alberti – a scientist, architect, and humanist of the Renaissance era.

The very first church on the site of the temple was built in the 9th century. In the 13th century, it was replaced by a Gothic church of the Franciscan Order, which was reconstructed by order of ruler Sigismondo Pandolfo. In the early 19th century, French troops destroyed the nearby Franciscan monastery, and the temple was consecrated anew as the city cathedral.

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

House of the Surgeon

One of the most important historical landmarks in Rimini is the Casa del Chirurgo. This unique archaeological complex is located in Rimini in Piazza Ferrari. Today, it is covered by a huge glass dome and open to the public. Archaeologists call it the "little Pompeii" in the center of Rimini.

The finds made on the site of the complex have already gained popularity worldwide – it is here that the oldest surgical instruments were discovered, now preserved in the City Museum.

Also found on the site of the complex are traces of flooring made from crushed skulls, remains of an early medieval settlement, foundations of some buildings from the 16th-18th centuries, stone wells, and a granary, probably belonging to the church of San Paterniano. All these artifacts, which are now under the management of the City Museum, provide an insight into life in Rimini over the past two thousand years.

Museum of Federico Fellini

Among other numerous achievements, the city of Rimini is also the hometown of Federico Fellini. It was this city that inspired the iconic Italian director to film "Amarcord" and "I Vitelloni". Fellini spent almost his entire life in Rome, but regularly returned to his hometown. It was here in 2021 that a museum dedicated to the director was opened.

The main part of the exhibition is located on the territory of the Sismondo Castle. Inside, there are 16 halls. Each is dedicated to a special theme. For example, one room tells the story of Giulietta Masina: an 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 recorded his dreams. Several other halls glorify two beloved actors of the legendary master: Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg.

And in the recently restored cinema "Fulgor", where young Fellini was allowed to watch movies for free because he designed posters for them, you can see the iconic films of the Italian director.

Fiabilandia Amusement Park

The Fiabilandia Amusement Park, located in the vicinity of Rimini, is one of the oldest themed parks in Italy – it was opened in 1965.

Here, there are dozens of attractions, numerous children's playgrounds, restaurants, and relaxation areas. Visitors can ride on a pirate ship, swim in the "Dream Lake," or go on an exciting tour to the "Wizard Merlin's Castle."

Fortress of San Leo

The last destination in our selection – the Fortress of San Leo is situated in the province of Rimini, 35 km from the city. Due to its geomorphological features, the area around the Fortress of San Leo resembles a rocky island. In the 15th century, a fortress was built here. The initial constructions were built by slaves of Ancient Rome.

After the death of the last owners, the fortress passed to the Vatican. Popes held 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, there is a museum operating in the fortress.