What to do in Rimini for summer 2022

Rimini, the iconic seaside town of Emilia-Romagna, has seen a renaissance in the recent years, with the opening of contemporary art gallery PART, the launch of a brand-new museum dedicated to Federico Fellini, and the reopening of Galli Theatre, as well as the regeneration of the entire coastal promenade, which stretches for 15km from Torre Pedrera to Miramare. With hot and sunny weeks ahead, here’s what to do in the magical city of Rimini this summer.

Enjoy the Riviera’s Pink Night – 1^st until 3^rd July

The Pink Night is the summer New Year’s Eve, a great party on the Riviera that reaches its 17^th edition this year. The entire coast – and Rimini as its beating heart – turns pink, from sunset to dawn, in an explosion of lights, sounds, images and colours with a widespread event of music, shows and magic sets. “Pink a Love” is this iteration’s intention. In Rimini, there are two days of concerts on Piazzale Fellini, and at midnight after Friday’s concert, the entire Riviera will be brightly lit by the popular fireworks display – one of the most anticipated moments of this magical event. On the morning of Sunday 3^rd July, on the Riminiterme beach, there will be the traditional Concerto all’Alba della Notte Rosa, with the amazing backdrop of the sun rising over the sea. Under the firmament of lights along the beach, there are two maxi events: Un Mare di Vino and Un Mare di Fuoco, pink edition. Dozens of wineries from the Emilia-Romagna hinterland will set up tasting points right by the water, for visitors to sample wine, and there will be countless music spots with bands performing acoustic sets. Chiringuitos offer relaxation areas for romantic strolls with the sound of the waves crashing against the surf. Un Mare di Rosa is the soul of the Pink Night on the beach, and this year, it doubles the fun, for two nights of flavour, traditions and music.

Visit the Fellini Museum

The Federico Fellini International Museum is the world’s largest devoted to the life and work of the Italian film director and screenwriter, and his poetic heritage. Visitors can find drawings, costumes, exhibitions, film showings, scenographic elements and multimedia presentations that them to immerse themselves in the world of Fellini, regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20^th century. The museum occupies Rimini’s Renaissance Sismondo Castle, the upper floors of the city’s art nouveau Cinema Fulgor (attended by Fellini) and the Square of Dreams – 400 metres of outdoor space between them, in which distinctive video installations, augmented reality and pop-ups are installed.

Ride along the Via Romagna

The first permanent regional route in Italy dedicated to cycling is in the region, with secondary asphalted roads with low traffic. Via Romagna is recognised as one of the most interesting cycle routes in Europe with its 463km traced and protected between the sea and hills that cross Romagna. A distance to be covered in stages, it connects the provinces of Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini, crossing about 30 municipalities and touching 20 fortresses and historic villages with over 100 bike-friendly structures, B&Bs and farmhouses mapped on the route. There are also churches, cathedrals, monuments, museums and other points of interest. At the northernmost point, the “ideal” departure is Comacchio, with a first leg on the fascinating white roads of the Po Delta, going up the Bassa Romagna to the first hills of Faenza, and then Forlì-Cesena; next there’s a passage in the Park delle Foreste Casentinesi, then, heading south towards Valmarecchia and Valconca, in the Rimini area, concluding the itinerary on the border with the Marche, in San Giovanni in Marignano. Via Romagna benefits from B-roads connecting with Ferrara, and, further south, joining the important coastal towns of Ravenna, Cervia, Cesenatico, Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica (also using the existing cycle paths on the river banks and scenic, historic routes). Along the way, in addition to the main sites of interest, there are water and refreshment points, as well as bike experts located along the path for technical assistance, which have all been geo-referenced. The mapped and signposted route will have its own personalised Via Romagna signage, with over 1,500 signs and 50 information boards positioned along the length.

Try the exciting food scene

Just like the city itself, the restaurant scene has been thriving in the past few years. Rimini offers a multitude of dining destinations, from the historic Club Nautico, which overlooks the harbour, to Michelin-starred institution Guido. But it’s the new generation of restaurateurs that is spicing things up: Jacopo Ticchi’s Lucio has taken the “scale to tail” approach of Josh Niland, utilising overlooked fish (and fish parts) as well as dry-ageing them; and Argentinian chef Mariano Guardianelli, at Abocar, creates accessible gourmet cuisine that focuses on small dishes, local producers and Latin American flavours. The most iconic dish of Rimini is a street food, the Piadina Romagnola – a flatbread that is normally served with cured meat and soft cheese.

Watch the Palio del Daino – 18^th until 21^st August 2022

This medieval festival takes place every summer in the town of Mondaino, perched on the crest that divides the valleys of the rivers Tavollo and Foglia. For four days, this little town travels back in time hundreds of years, providing its many visitors with a medieval experience that recreates a period of the 15^th century. Trades, crafts and techniques dating back to the era are carried out by a variety of artisans and artists, including blacksmiths, gunsmiths, bowyers and harquebus makers, glassworkers, parchment and paper makers, potters, dyers and weavers. There are also numerous places serving menus typical of the time. The narrow streets and the taverns of Mondaino’s splendid circular square are then filled with parades brought to life by dozens of actors, acrobats, jugglers and musicians. Each evening also features contests between different districts of the medieval town, including a traditional goose race, culminating in the Palio race itself.

Join in the Italian Bike Festival – 9^th until 11^th September 2022

Held for the first time at the Misano World Circuit, Rimini, cycling enthusiasts and holiday seekers alike will be able to come together at what it is considered the leading event for the bike industry. Visitors will be also invited to experience live events such as the non-stop bike show, with eight professional riders entertaining guests all day. Additionally, there will be six races, including two “Gran Fondos”. Italian Gran Fondos are officially defined and certified by the Italian Cycling Federation as a bicycle event of at least 120 kilometres (75 miles) long, and are individually chip-timed (start to finish) races with prizes for the fastest riders in each category. At the Italian Bike Festival, attendees will be able to watch along the La Gialla cycling road as well as at the MTB races. Alongside product exhibitions and live events, there will be panel discussions and workshops dealing with different subjects such as soft mobility, sustainability and cycle tourism.

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