The coast around the city of Rimini features many seaside resorts, and it is among the most popular summer destinations in Italy. Further inland, the Province of Rimini includes Valmarecchia, a valley among the Apennines featuring several small and beautiful hilltop towns. The tiny country of San Marino is located on the eastern side of this valley.
Places to see on the Rimini Coast and in Valmarecchia
Riccione
Riccione is a major seaside resort on the coast of Romagna, just south of Rimini. The town only developed in the 19th century, and now it has become one of the most popular summer destinations in all of Italy.
Beach of Riccione
The entire seafront of Riccione is occupied by beaches and bathing facilities, which are very popular among both Italian and foreign tourists. At the center of the long promenade is Piazzale Roma, a square adorned with a fountain.
Address: Lungomare della Repubblica, 2, 47838 Riccione RN
Coordinates: 44.0032, 12.6615
Misano Adriatico
Misano Adriatico is a town in the Province of Rimini, located on the Adriatic coast between Riccione and Cattolica. The town was a small settlement until it was developed as a tourist resort during the 20th century.
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is a race track located near Misano Adriatico. The track is mostly used for motorcycle racing and has hosted many races of the MotoGP World Championship. The track is named after Marco Simoncelli, a motorcycle racer who was born in nearby Cattolica and died in an accident in 2011.
Address: Viale Daijiro Kato, 10, 47843 Misano Adriatico RN
Coordinates: 43.9618, 12.6849
Cattolica
Cattolica is a city in the Province of Rimini, located on the Adriatic coast of Romagna, at the border with Marche. The town was settled in ancient times, but it remained a small village for centuries. Cattolica only developed since the 19th century thanks to its fishing industry and later as a seaside resort. Now Cattolica is a popular tourist destination, mostly thanks to its beaches.
Aquarium of Cattolica
The Aquarium of Cattolica is the second largest aquarium in Italy, located in Cattolica along the Adriatic coast. The aquarium features a large variety of sea creatures, but it also houses amphibians, reptiles, and other animals.
Address: Piazzale delle Nazioni, 1A, 47841 Cattolica RN
Coordinates: 43.9707, 12.7234
San Leo
San Leo is a small town located on top of a hill in the Province of Rimini, near San Marino. The town was founded in the Early Middle Ages and it was one of the main settlements in Valmarecchia and the historic region of Montefeltro for centuries. Originally part of Marche, in 2009 it joined Emilia-Romagna. San Leo is known for its medieval old town.
✪ Fortress of San Leo
The Fortress of San Leo (Forte di San Leo) is a medieval castle located on top of a hill in San Leo. The castle has a long history dating back to the Early Middle Ages. This was the place where the last Lombard king of Italy, Berengar II, was besieged by Otto I of Saxony between 961 and 963. For centuries, the castle belonged to some of the most powerful Italian noble families, such as the Montefeltro, Malatesta, and Della Rovere. The fortress was heavily reworked during the Renaissance, gaining its current appearance, and was later used as a prison until the early 20th century. The castle now serves as a museum and offers a great view on the surrounding hills.
Address: Via Giacomo Leopardi, 47865 San Leo RN
Coordinates: 43.8966, 12.3466
San Leo Cathedral
The Cathedral of San Leo (Duomo di San Leo) is a historic Romanesque church in San Leo. The building was erected in the 12th century and it features various ancient decorations and a crypt. Next to the church there are other medieval structures, such as the Civic Tower and the Pieve of Santa Maria Assunta, another Romanesque church.
Address: Via Cavallotti, 25, 47865 San Leo RN
Coordinates: 43.8971, 12.3424