Rimini is not only an action-packed resort for young adults, it’s also a great destination for families with children. There are clean beaches with facilities for water activities, family-friendly hotels and restaurants and a number of themed attractions. Among these are the educational and fun ‘Italy in Miniature,’ the Delphinariuim with its popular dolphin shows and the amusement park Mirabiliandia.
Delphinarium Rimini
This dolphin attraction was opened in 1964 and has been immensely popular with children ever since. Resident dolphins Alfa, Beta, Luna, Sole and Speedy have been thrilling visitors with their daily aerial and water acrobatics since the 1990s, and have been joined by Rocco, who was born on site in 2003. The attraction is open from Easter until late September. The Rimini Delphinarium also sponsors a dolphin-assisted therapy program for autistic children, and is the only one of its kind in the country. Phone: +39 06 581 8243.
Go-karting There are a few go-kart tracks to choose from in the Rimini area, and the popularity of this family activity has been growing in recent years. From the parking lot at ‘Le Befane’ commercial centre to via Flaminia, it’s possible to rent go-karts most afternoons from April through September. Indoor go-kart tracks are open to children as young as eight years. Phone: +39 541 641726 or +39 541 614056.
Italia in Miniatura
This theme park combines fun and educational exhibits that help children learn more about all of Italy. ‘Italia in Miniatura’ takes visitors on a journey through the country by means of its 272 architectural miniatures of Italy’s highlights. There’s more as well, including demonstrations of physics at the park’s Science Fair and thrilling rides such as the Canoe and the Sling Shot.Phone: +39 541 736736; website: www.italiainminiatura.com.
Lasergames Suitable for the entire family, this action-packed attraction is dedicated to the fun and games that are possible through the use of lasers. You’re issued a laser gun when you enter, and from that point on you should be prepared for battle, through the attraction’s massive labyrinth, and its fires, treacherous fog and ghostly lights. Phone: +39 541 55479.
Le Navi
This sea park is located off the Adriatic coast, bringing together education, entertainment and spectacle. Throughout the year, and most popular during the summer months, children will enjoy the entertainment, games, music and sports activities on offer. The experience begins with a ride down in a lift that takes you 3200m below the sea, to the Temporal Evolution Laboratory. You’ll be shown a multi-media presentation on how the earth began, from the original big bang to the formation of the Mediterranean. There’ll be sharks waiting for you at the end of tour. In addition to the main highlights, there are also a beach, restaurants and gift shops on site. Phone: +39 541 8371.
Mirabilandia This major family amusement park is located just a few kilometres away from Rimini in Ravenna province. Open from the beginning of April through the end of September, all the rides and attractions are featured here that you’d expect. You’ll find 37 rides and 8 entertaining shows, as well as 13 restaurants and bars and 10 gift shops. Recently, an attraction was opened called the ‘Katun Maya,’ which is a journey back in time, allowing you to rediscover the civilisation of the ancient Maya. Phone: +39 541 561156.
Rimini boasts numerous museums covering subjects as diverse as world ethnography to the history of the motorcycle. The City Museum features paintings and sculpture from the 15th-19th centuries. The Fellini Museum is dedicated to the life and work of film genius Federico Fellini and is housed in his former residence.
Housed in a former Jesuit monastery dating from the 18th century, the museum boasts 1500 exhibits displayed in 40 separate galleries. In its inner courtyard you’ll see lovely mosaics and inscriptions from the Roman era, and in the interior, there are well-preserved frescoes on the first floor. Paintings on wood and ceramics dating from the 15th-16th centuries, illustrating the history of Renaissance art, are also found on this floor, as are sculptures from the 17th-19th centuries. Phone: +39 541 21482.
Fellini Museum
The museum was founded by a bequest from the estate of the late film director Federico Fellini, who died in 1993. It is located on the main floor of the Fellini family home. The Foundation's archives are housed here, and periodic exhibitions are held showing costumes, photos, scenery and sketches from his films. Multi-media presentations are planned that will take visitors through all phases of this master’s filmmaking process. Phone: +39 541 50085.
Museo degli Sguardi
One of Italy’s main museums devoted to ethnology is located in Rimini. The Museo degli Sguardi is dedicated to archaeological and ethnological aspects of the cultures of Africa, pre-Columbian America, Oceania, and parts of Asia. Among the museum’s holdings are the pre-Columbian artefacts of Ugo Canepa from Biella and the smaller, but important Amazonian collection that was donated by Bruno Fusconi from Cesena. Phone: +39 541 751224.
Museo Naturalistico della riserva di Onferno The Nature Museum on the Onferno reserve is housed in the ancient parish church of Santa Colomba, dating back more than 900 years. A series of multimedia stations take visitors through the history and nature of the region. The local ornithological collection features a number of examples of birds native to the reserve and the coastal area. Also included in the exhibits are interactive simulations of bats that are prevalent around Rimini. Phone: +39 541 984694.
Museo Nazionale del Motociclo This unique museum’s collection of over 200 motorcycles relates the history of these machines beginning with the first motorcycle ever built, known as the French Werner. Examples of well-known Italian motorcycles from the early 20th century, including the Frera and Stucchi, are also in the collection. The Guzzis document Italian production from the period between the world wars. You’ll find one section of the museum that features sidecars from Italy and abroad, and another section that’s reserved for the top foreign machines, including the English Norton, Rudge, Scott and Sunbeam and the American Harley Davidson, Henderson and Indian. For anyone interested in restoring their own motorcycle, the museum boasts an impressive library of more than 10,000 volumes. Phone: +39 541 731096.
Museum of the Habits and Customs of the People of Romagna
Evidence of the activities of the early peasant population of the region has been collected and displayed in reconstructed environments. Some of these reconstructions include blacksmith, carpenter, lute maker and shoemaker shops. A working woven cloth printing process has been set up, including the looms and the carved blocks used in creating the designs. Agricultural tools are also on exhibit, such as threshing machines and wooden ploughs.Additional collections at the museum include one of 19th century marionettes, a number of unusual farm animal harnesses and peasant clothing. Phone: +39 541 624703.
The local cuisine you’ll find on offer in Rimini isn’t elaborate, but consists of straight forward and tasty dishes that feature natural ingredients simply prepared. Foods retain the fresh flavours of the fish, seafood, vegetables and other local ingredients that form the basis of the cuisine. Flavours are well-balanced and dishes are creatively garnished, adding to the visual appeal.
As in other parts of Italy, breads and pastas form an important part of the diet. Some of the favourites include: strozzapreti (pasta strips that are rolled into small tubes),tagliatelle (a long, flat noodle similar to fettuccine), tagliolini (thin ribbons of pasta), ravioli and cappelletti (similar to ravioli, in the shape of a miniature hat). There are a number of good restaurants in Rimini to choose from, and it’s recommended that you consider trying a fish-based dish. In addition to pasta, you’ll normally be served the thin and tasty local bread called piadina.
Beach-side restaurants are featured in the San Guiliano a Mare area, where it’s possible to dine al fresco when the weather is warm. The food at these eateries is usually very good and is quite inexpensive as well. Some of these restaurants offer a selection of dishes that will feed two to three persons, served along with a quarter-litre of wine. Other good restaurants can also be found just off the main streets in the centre.
Shoppers will find numerous boutiques in the centre featuring the best Italian designer brands, including Armani, Gucci and Prada, among others. Recently, one of the largest shopping malls in Romagna opened in Rimini. Called ‘Le Befane,’ this mall is so enormous that it’s changed the landscape of the city’s western side. Small souvenirs can be found at shops and stalls along the beachfront.
Antiques markets and various other street marketscan be found in Rimini most every day and evening during the season. Rimini’s main market, the largest in the Emilia-Romagna region, is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at piazzas Cavour and Malatesta. On Tuesdays during the summer, a market is held in Miramare, and on Thursdays one is held in Bellariva. Sunday is the day for Torre Pedrera and Monday for Viserba’s market. Also throughout the summer, there’s an antiques market held on Tuesday evenings in Marina Centro.
Many visitors are drawn to Rimini for its numerous entertainment and leisure options. In additions to beach activities, there are plenty of other activities on offer as well, such as cycling, golf, horseback riding and even Frisbee competitions. Families will find a well-equipped water park on offer, as well as a fun miniature golf facility.
Aquafan Water Park
One of the largest water parks in Europe is found in Rimini, boasting some of the steepest slides to be found anywhere. In addition to the slides, there are meandering ‘rivers,’ an ‘Antarctic beach,’ a whirlpool and some exciting rafting on offer. There are a few gentler pools on site for younger children to have a safe place to enjoy themselves.
Cycling
There are numerous cycling paths in the area, but one in particular is worth a mention. This a mountain bike path that winds up and around the Parco Marecchia for nearly 20kms, through the ‘green heart’ of Rimini. The route actually begins in Rivabella and crosses the river on the bicycle-pedestrian bridge, and then meets XXV Aprile Park and continues to Tiberius Bridge. Continuing on, the cycle path follows the old Marecchia River path up to Villa Verucchio, providing some lovely views of the Valmarecchia Valley along the way. The last stretch is an uphill one, leading to Torriana. The park here features sports facilities and games and activities for the kids.
Golf Golf is quite popular in Rimini and along the coast, and the Rimini Golf Club offers everything a golfer could need. The course is illuminated for night play, and there’s a school staffed by Italian golf professionals, a pitching green, putting greens, equipment for hire and caddies available. The pro-shop offers equipment and clothing for sale, and the club house facilities are comprehensive, including a bar, restaurant, TV room and changing room.
Horseback Riding Both indoor and outdoor riding are options in the Rimini area, with the Cooperativa Centofiori, in Vallecchio, being one of the most popular venues. Lessons are on offer for beginners at this facility, as are guided tours through the surrounding countryside, for groups of riders. More experienced riders can make use of the two competitive riding rings on site.
The Indiana Golf facility, located in Rimini’s Riccione district, features 18 holes that have been designed around Italian culture and attractions, with more than a touch of kitsch. This attraction is open from early in the afternoon until late at night and can be a fun way for a group to enjoy some offbeat fun, either before or after a night out.
World Beach Ultimate Cup
Ultimate Frisbee players and those specialising in freestyle descend on Rimini each year on Easter weekend for the world’s largest Beach Ultimate Cup tournament. The competition has been held now for nearly two decades, and continues to attract top competitors from Europe, New Zealand and the US. The most recent event saw more than 1500 participants, which helped kick off the tourist season in great style.
Just across the road from the beach the location must be one of the best in Rimini, rooms were spacious and cleaned, beds made and fresh towels every day. Staff were friendly and nothing was too much ...
