Even if you consider yourself a somewhat regular visitor to the Italian peninsula, there is a good chance that you have not visited, or even heard of, the seaside resort town of Riccione. Located along the Adriatic Sea in the Emilia-Romagna region, Riccione has been one of the Bel Paese’s hottest summer destinations for over a century. It is perfect for couples, families, young, and old alike! Let’s find out what all the fuss is about, shall we?

The Main Attraction: Riccione’s Beaches and Sea

Riccione’s coast is about 7 km of fine, golden sand between Rimini and Misano Adriatico. This stretch of the Adriatic Sea is consistently awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for its cleanliness, lifeguard presence, as well as conveniences such as restaurants and services for beachgoers.
Visitors can choose from a whopping 135 bathing establishments and over 3,500 umbrellas available for rent in various price ranges. There are also sections of “free beach” where sunbathers are free to set up their own umbrellas and stay as long as they like.
Families will appreciate that the water here is shallow and there are literally hundreds of qualified lifeguards to help keep an eye out for the little ones. There is also entertainment and activities of all kinds such as beach aerobics, volleyball, beach tennis, soccer, and free wi-fi.

Other exciting spots are Aquafan and Oltremare. Aquafan is a fun-filled waterpark with all kinds of attractions and slides for the entire family (open June through early September). While Oltremare is a family theme park where children and people of all ages can experience swimming with dolphins and much more!

Shopping

If you are not the type to sunbathe the entire day, Riccione is still a great bet for you because it has so much more to offer than just sun and sand. Its Viale Ceccarini is the famous avenue at the heart of the city and a must-see for every visitor. You’ll find trendy shops and boutiques as well as high-end fashion not to mention bars, restaurants, and cafes. In the evening, enjoy an Italian aperitif before dinner just like the locals. The Viale is also a prime nightlife spot after dark with nightclubs and discotheques.

Other Sights

There’s more to Riccione than meets the eye because visitors can also enjoy art, history, and culture in this seaside paradise. Don’t miss the modern art gallery housed in Villa Franceschi right in the center of town. This villa is just one of many examples of Art Nouveau and Liberty-style architecture of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Villa Lodi Fe is located within the gorgeous central park and if you are a history buff, you cannot miss visiting the Duce’s villa. Benito Mussolini‘s summer holiday home is also a museum.
The Ghirotti Territorial Museum is a pleasant surprise for visitors not expecting to find archaeology in a town like Riccione. Exhibits include prehistoric bison and elephants as well as Roman remains.

Relax at the Many Spas

Riccione is also famous for its natural thermal waters and spa facilities. Unique to the area, the sulfurous springs contain a high percentage of bromine, iodine, and magnesium. All kinds of treatments are available including mud baths and are recommended for treating a number of ailments from poor circulation to asthma.

Expert Tips

Riccione enjoys a fairly mild climate year-round but peak season is definitely June through September with the most crowded months being July and August. If you enjoy lots of people, activity, and are a film buff, then visit in July when Riccione’s film festival takes place.
Getting here is simple whether you travel by car (located directly on the A1 autostrada) or train. Once you’re here, it is a very pedestrian-friendly town with buses and trains available to take you to other towns along the coast.