Riccione, spread along the Adriatic coast just 5 km from the center of Rimini, is often compared with the secular salon of the Roman Riviera, access to which is open only to the rich and famous. In fact, this resort is quite friendly and democratic. You can have a great time here in splendid isolation, in a noisy company, and with your loved one, and with children or parents. Of course, the cost of rest will be a little higher than the average in Italy, but 100 years ago, Riccione was considered something like a suburban aristocratic quarter of Rimini, and for the brand, you must agree, you have to pay extra.
Climate and weather
The weather in Riccione is another indisputable reason for visiting the resort. Due to the fact that the city is located on the coast, "covered" by the spurs of the Alps and the foothills of the Apennines, there are no sharp temperature changes either in winter or in summer.
Due to the fact that the city is located on the coast, there are no sudden changes in temperature
Due to the subtropical monsoon climate characteristic of the region, the resort has increased humidity, rains are frequent at any time of the year, and short-term rains are possible. Fortunately, at the height of the season (July, August) the weather is extremely favorable: precipitation does not occur more often than once a week, and there are no strong winds.
The season begins in mid-May and lasts until the end of September. Air temperature is the most comfortable, 25-27 ° C, water - 23-25 ° C. The hottest month is August: the weather in Riccione is almost cloudless, the air temperature during the day is 27-29 ° C, at night it is 17-19 ° C, and the water warms up to 24-26 ° C at the beginning of the month.
How to get there
Getting to the resort is easy: the Federico Fellini Airport, which we wrote about earlier, is located just between Rimini and Riccione. From the airport to the resort, you can take a train, taxi or rented car (motorway number 14) in 20-30 minutes.
From morning to late evening, buses No. 11, 58, 124, 134, 171, 172, 174,175, 180 and a trolleybus No. 11 run between Rimini and Riccione. Travel time is from 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the route. The fare is 2.10 € (2017). From other cities in Italy can be reached by bus or train (without a change to Rimini only from Ancona).
If you consider renting a car in the region, it is better to rent a car through a major European car rental price comparison service. This usually comes out much more economically. You can compare car rental prices in Riccione itself or at the nearest Rimini airport on this page.
Resort Hotels
In Riccione, there are about 400 hotels of various categories, including small apart-hotels converted from private villas and mini-hotels bad & breakfast. Oddly enough, there is only one 5-star hotel (the Grand Hotel international chain). Among the 4-star were such world "celebrities" as Tiffany, Atlantic and Ascot.
Hotels in Riccione have one distinctive feature - the absence of large pools in their territory. In some hotels there are no pools at all. The reason is quite simple: many hotels in Riccione are located directly on the Republic embankment (lines 1 and 2) and close to the balneal facilities (thermal springs) and balneological complexes, the largest of which is “Riccione Term”.
Hotels within the city, but at some distance from the sea, are also not empty. Beach vacations are not the most important thing, much more interest for hotel guests located above Milano Street (the main motor road of the city running parallel to the waterfront) is shopping.
The best shops are on the streets of Ceccarini and Antonio Gramsci. Tourists with children will have a great time both in the coastal hotel and in the hotel near the water park "Aquafan", on the western edge of the resort.
The best selection of resort hotels with a map, reviews and the possibility of instant booking is presented here.
What to see in and around Riccione
Let's be honest: there are no special attractions in the resort, and most of the objects that you should see in Riccione are connected with the history of the city. But most importantly, where did the unspoken name of the resort come from - the "Green Pearl" - these are gardens and parks.
Montanari Park is located next to the main square - Piazza Curiel, Park della Resistenza, defeated in the 70s. of the last century, famous for its botanical delights, the park named after John Paul II is famous as a place for secluded walks. The visiting card of the city is a huge shell with a pearl from the La Perla mini-park, opposite the Palace of Tourism.
Numerous boutiques of leading fashion houses are located on Via Ceccarini
The history of the resort in ancient times and what to see in Riccione from ancient attractions can be found in the Territory Museum, which is located on Tuscany Street.
Already in the XIII century. the city was "chosen" by aristocrats. In 1260, representatives of the Agolanti clan who were expelled from Florence but found shelter and protection from the Malatesta family, the rulers of Rimini, began to build a castle on a large hill in its vicinity.
Castello Agolanti was known as the venue for the festivities of medieval nobility. In 1786, the castle was badly damaged as a result of the earthquake, but at the end of the last century it was restored, and now tourists are visiting it with pleasure.
Another victim of the earthquake of the late XVIII century. - Church of St. Martin of the 13th century, located in the very center of the city. To the honor of Italian Catholics, after the destruction it was restored almost instantly, and already in 1789 it was again consecrated.
Back in the XVI century. Blessed Alessio, the patron saint of Riccione, was buried in her cemetery. In 1702, his relics were transferred to the church, where they are stored to this day. An interesting temple, built in the 20th century. - Church of Santa Maria Mater-Admiralibis with an unusual altar, created in 1966-67. painter Giovanni Lerario.
The whole European elite goes on evening boardwalks on Via Ceccarini
In 1934-1944, Riccione literally did not leave the pages of newspapers and magazines: Villa Margarita on the embankment of the Republic became the property of the four Mussolini. Today, the villa provides guided tours on the history of tourism.
As a resort where wealthy Italians and wealthy tourists could relax on the beach and enjoy healing waters, Riccione began to develop only from the end of the 19th century, thanks in large part to Dr. Ceccarini and his wife Maria.
Her name was later named the main pedestrian street - Viale Maria Ceccarini. Today, this street is a real catwalk, where the whole European elite goes to evening promenades, replenishing her wardrobe here, in numerous boutiques of leading fashion houses.
To the south-west of the castle (Ascoli Piceno street, 6) is one of the largest European water parks "Aquafan". It is noteworthy that it was built back in 1987, becoming the first construction of its kind in Italy.
In summer, the water park is open from 10 to 18:30. On its territory, in addition to a variety of water attractions, there is the Oltremare theme park, where you can get acquainted with the history of the planet’s development in interactive mode and chat live with land and sea animals.
Beaches
By and large, the beach in Riccione is one, but what a! Along the entire coast stretches a wide sandy strip about 7 km long, dotted with hats of thousands of umbrellas. The sand is shallow, and the entrance to the water is shallow.
True, there is one nuance that can not only overshadow the rest, but somewhat restrict freedom of movement: almost all beaches here are private, that is, belong to hotels or balneological complexes. Entrance fees are charged at all, for hotel guests only a small discount of 20-25% is provided. There are about 150 private beaches.
Along the entire coast stretches a wide sand strip about 7 km long
Playgrounds with swings and slides, sports grounds, water skiing, canoeing - everything is here for outdoor activities. Those who want to relax, but do not crave activity, go for the longed-for relaxation in the spa centers.
All beaches have their own unique style, somewhere even “heraldic”: umbrellas and sunbeds, pavilions, bathing cabins, tents and sofas under tents at each beach of a strictly defined color with a single pattern.
The Italians themselves spend the whole day on the coast with a lunch break and a mandatory siesta (from 14-15 to 16-16: 30), and tourists - at their discretion, from early morning until 20:00, when the beaches close, passing the baton "clubs and beach restaurants.
Photos by: hotelmyosotis, hotelcignodoro, holidaycheck, riviera.rimini., Daniele Marzocchi.
