My most up-to-date go to to Emila Romagna was supported by Go to Cervia, Go to Comacchio and Ravenna Tourism
Stretching for some 90 kilometres alongside the alluring bath-like waters of the Adriatic Sea – from the Reno River to Gabicce Monte – the Emilia Romagna Riviera is awash with leisure for all types of seashore bums. Need to celebration all evening with the sand beneath your ft? No drawback. Fancy a aspect journey to see some dazzling Byzantine mosaics? Positive factor. Desire a wild stretch of dune-backed sand to flee all of it? You’re lined. Eager on recognizing some flamingos in a Venice-like fishing city? Stroll proper this manner.
Sure, the Adriatic coast harbours a repute as a vacation spot for chilling out, sampling the freshest seafood, and topping up the tan at fashionable seaside resorts, corresponding to Milano Marittima, the place row-upon-row of rentable parasols have fluttered within the breeze for over a century. Nevertheless it’s additionally an excellent selection for mixing seashore days with the whole lot else that makes Italy so particular, and that’s precisely what this one-week Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary will enable you do.
Lunch at Le Dune Seaside, Comacchio
Typically merely referred to as the Riviera Romagnola, as the vast majority of the coast-touching provinces (Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini) sit within the historic Romagna area, whereas the northern province of Ferrara was within the historic Emilia area, it’s a beloved area for Italian locals to get pleasure from a summer season getaway. Much less visited by worldwide vacationers, it additionally provides considerably of a extra ‘native’ perception than the popular seashore locations of overseas travellers, corresponding to the attractive islands alongside the Amalfi Coast, Puglia or Sicily. And whereas it hasn’t acquired the dramatic rock-hugging villages of Cinque Terre, it has loads of tender sand seashores, fascinating museums, and unbelievable regional dishes.
Whether or not you’re searching for the most effective seashores close to Bologna, a pleasant coastal keep, a conventional fishing village or a historic metropolis boasting Byzantine mosaics aplenty, you’ll discover it on this one-week Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary.
One week Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary
This Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary contains three bases: Comacchio, Ravenna and Cervia, with advised methods to journey between the locations talked about by public transport. Nevertheless, when you’ve got a automotive, you may favor to guide one base for the week after which go to the completely different locations as day journeys – none are greater than a 75-minute drive from one another.
When you’re arriving by airplane, then you possibly can both get to Bologna (round 70 minutes driving, two hours by practice) or Venice (round two hours driving, three hours by practice) after which fly out of both Rimini because the endpoint or Bologna (round two hours driving, or one hour by practice). Alternatively, when you’re reserving a return flight to a single airport, it doesn’t take lengthy to loop again on the finish of your journey.
Sundown in Comacchio, with
aperitivo hour on a ship restaurant
Day one and two: Comacchio and The Po Delta
Start your seashore week tour of the Emilia Romagna Riviera within the north of the area, near the border with Veneto. Comacchio sits alongside Italy’s Adriatic Coast and has lengthy been an necessary port for fishing and buying and selling, even way back to the Etruscan instances, when the traditional metropolis of Spina was of the utmost significance.
These days, the sleepy city – also known as ‘Little Venice’ – is a unbelievable seaside getaway. Right here, you may calm down on the seashores, stroll alongside the canals of the historic centre, and spend a while visiting the encircling Po Delta, an unlimited flamingo-frequented wetland on the finish of Italy’s longest river.
Day one: Seashores and dolphins
After dropping off your baggage, head straight to the Adriatic to clean away your travels. Le Dune Seaside, Florida Seaside, or the pine forest-backed stretch close to Lido di Spina are nice locations to get pleasure from a lazy afternoon on the water, with some unbelievable sea-view eating places for lunch. You may additionally contact TAO (Turtles of the Adriatic Organisation) to see if they’re organising any dolphin recognizing journeys throughout your go to, must you have an interest.
The Trepponti Bridge
Flamingos within the Po Delta
Day two: Canals and flamingos
Begin your day looking for flamingos within the wetlands and marshes of the Po Delta, which is moments from the historic centre. You’ll be able to both go to by foot, bike or boat, and also you’ll have the possibility to identify the normal fishing homes (Trabucchi Comacchiesi) en route. Bike rent might be organized from the IAT Comacchio vacationer workplace, although it’s greatest to attempt to guide a Po Delta tour by boat and bike to achieve entry to the salinas, which require a information. Regardless, even when you simply cycle the Valli di Comacchio by yourself, there’s an opportunity you’ll spot a pink flock within the distance.
After lunch, take a stroll round Comacchio’s historic centre, monitoring the canals. For just a little tradition, slip into the spectacular Museo Delta Antico archaeological museum. The house covers the whole lot about Comacchio’s historical past as a fishing city and the Etruscan city of Spina. Nevertheless, the standout is the well-preserved Roman service provider ship and its contents, that are offered inside. If you would like a neighborhood speciality for dinner, strive an eel dish from La Locanda del Delta and take within the sundown terrace views of this little hidden gem in Europe.
Getting from Comacchio to The Po Delta: Hiring a bicycle is the easiest way to circle the Po Delta’s lagoons and spot flamingos. On foot, you possibly can go for one of many boat journeys to take you deeper into the park.
Keep at: Villa Cavour B&B has spacious rooms, a quaint backyard to get pleasure from a lazy breakfast, and a few the rooms face a smaller canal – see extra choices within the ‘greatest stays’ part beneath.
Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics are impeccable
Day three and 4: Ravenna
Each an underrated European metropolis and a province, Ravenna is criminally ignored by most guests to Italy – particularly when contemplating its historic significance. The final capital of the Western Roman Empire, the town witnessed its justifiable share of tales, that are chronicled throughout the eight UNESCO-listed monuments and past. Dazzling, well-preserved Byzantine mosaics take centre stage, whereas extra trendy studios provide workshops for these eager to be taught this age-old artwork.
However greater than its monuments, Ravenna is only a actually excellent spot to absorb a extra cosmopolitan life-style alongside Italy’s Adriatic Coast. It’s solely a brief hop to the Maritime Park of Ravenna, the place wood walkways, pine forests, and alluring sands await, permitting you to simply get pleasure from sundown dinners on the seashore after a day of sightseeing.
Day three: Mosaics and golden sands
With two days in Ravenna, you’ll simply have the ability to see the town’s highlights, and a multi-attraction ticket for the mosaics is an effective funding. To start out, head to the imposing Basilica of San Vitale and the (extra trendy) Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, constructed to be the burial place of the Roman Empress Galla Placidia. These are two of the town’s most iconic sights, with intricate mosaic ceilings and partitions positive to depart you speechless.
Afterwards, enterprise to the Domus of the Stone Carpets, a Sixth-century floor-coating mosaic that’s extra usually Roman, and the Basilica of San Francesco, the place the crypt’s mosaics at the moment are seen underwater. After a neighborhood lunch of piadanas or polenta at Mercato Coperto, you may proceed the Byzantine mosaic tour on the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo and The Arian Baptistry, or head to the seashore for a day of sunshine – Finisterre Seaside is an effective selection for a sea-view sundown dinner.
Basilica of San Vitale
Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe
Day 4: Historical past and workshops
Persevering with the mosaic theme of this Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary, begin your morning in MAR, the fashionable mosaic museum. It’s a powerful assortment of artistic tiled items and a unbelievable distinction to the historic artwork you noticed yesterday. Afterwards, if time and funds enable, you may wish to have an opportunity at creating your individual memento mosaic on the Koko Studio. I took the same class in Castel Gandolfo, a small city close to Rome, and it was one in every of my favorite experiences in Italy.
After a late lazy lunch, spend the afternoon strolling across the pastel-coloured streets of the historic centre, or head barely out of city to Classis, the place one other artwork museum awaits. Alternatively, go to Dante’s tomb and be taught just a little extra concerning the Italian thinker and author. Most evenings round sundown, there’s a studying of his most well-known work, the Divine Comedy, outdoors his tomb. For dinner, go to Ca’ de ven, the place scrumptious Emilia Romagna dishes, such because the native speciality stuffed pasta, Cappelletti, are served in a Fifteenth-century palatial constructing.
Getting from Comacchio to Ravenna: It’s round a 40-minute drive, or you may take the 333 bus, which takes 80 minutes.
Keep at: Lodge Sant’andrea provides spacious and central conventional rooms at a good value – see extra choices within the ‘greatest stays’ part beneath.
Numerous renovated buildings in Cervia have salt connections
Day 5 and 6: Milano Marittima and Cervia
Heading additional south, it’s again to the seashore correct to spend a few nights staying in Cervia, a considerably extra offbeat Italian vacation spot for worldwide guests. This historic coastal metropolis has been formed by the encircling salt pans, which have been as soon as owned by the Pope himself. These days, the canals which meander in the direction of the golden sands are used extra for fishing vessels servicing the seafood eating places.
A brief stroll south alongside the promenade of Milano Marittima and also you’ll discover much more decisions for topping up your tan. This Backyard Metropolis is dotted with barely dilapidated Artwork Nouveau villas, which have been constructed when the resort city began to blossom within the early 1900s. It’s a reasonably Italian seashore city with loads of greenery and flowers, in addition to upscale boutiques for just a little retail remedy.
Day 5: Seafood and shorelines
After spending the previous couple of days of this Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary within the metropolis, it’s time to return to the lazy seashores of Milano Marittima. The realm round Cala Zingaro can be my choose, as you could have loungers and a seashore bar if you would like it, but additionally a stretch of untamed sand when you’d favor to not pay up for the parasols. After having fun with the afternoon and a recent fish lunch on the seashore, stroll alongside the boulevards of Milano Marittima (L’Ottocento gelateria is nice for a deal with) earlier than heading again to Cervia to get pleasure from dinner at Officine del Sale, a multi-space seafood restaurant housed in an outdated salt storage unit.
Gardens outline Milano Marittima away from the seashore
The mussels farmed alongside this stretch of coast are significantly celebrated
Day six: Saltworks and sea views
Lots of Cervia’s sights are greatest loved later within the day, so the morning might be spent lapping up extra of Italy’s Adriatic Coast. The seashores in entrance of Cervia are lined with concessions and leisure choices, making lunch with the sand beneath your toes a straightforward process. After lunch, take just a little tour across the Quadrangolo neighbourhood (there’s an app you may obtain to information you) to be taught extra about how the city was picked up and re-built from its authentic place within the salt pans – you may as well climb to the highest of the Torre San Michele for an aerial view.
In direction of sundown, head barely out of city to the Salt Pans of Cervia Customer Centre, the place you may take a stroll with a information by Cervia’s famed salinas. The marginally candy salt right here – usually referred to as white gold – is widely known, however that’s not the one cause to go to, because the nesting flamingos are one other star. For dinner, I recommend attempting Cervia’s unbelievable mussels at Circolo dei Pescatori, a conventional fisherman’s membership, earlier than taking a late-night peek contained in the MUSA Museum, which can reply any final questions on Cervia’s salt historical past.
Getting from Ravenna to Milano Marittima and Cervia: The joint practice station sits in between the 2 places and might be reached in lower than an hour (together with strolling time). The drive takes round half-hour.
Keep at: Lodge Good Has an amazing location, being near each Cervia’s canals, outdated city and seashores – see extra choices within the ‘greatest stays’ part beneath.
The colorful canals of Cesenatico
Day seven: Cesinatico or Rimini
Relying on how a lot time you could have left in your remaining day of this Emilia Romagna Riviera Itinerary earlier than your departure, you possibly can tack on a remaining cease barely additional south.
Rimini is an effective selection (particularly when you’re flying from the small airport right here) as you may see a few of the area’s Roman historical past or simply stroll alongside the upscale Parco del Mare promenade for a remaining seashore dip. Cesinatico is much like Cervia, with its tall ships and canals, and would make for a cute cease for a remaining scrumptious lunch earlier than heading house.
Getting from Cervia to Cesinatico or Rimini: It’s only a 20-minute drive to Cesenatico and fewer than 40 minutes to Rimini. By practice, you may attain Cesenatico in lower than 10 minutes (with a brief extra stroll), whereas the regional practice takes round 35 minutes to Rimini.
Spiaggia Romea Resort is one in every of many tenting and coastal lodging choices
5 unbelievable coastal stays on Emilia Romagna’s Riviera
You have got loads of choices when deciding the place to remain alongside the Emilia Romagna Riviera, whether or not you wish to hop between just a few completely different motels on a highway journey or choose one central base. From family-friendly resorts like tenting villages and extra budget-friendly tent setups to luxurious resorts in Milano Marittima and laid-back motels in Ravenna, the selection is intensive – simply take into accout August can see costs soar.
Tenting resorts close to Comacchio
Round Comacchio and the Po Delta, there are many tenting choices, that are a far cry from a plot of grass on your tent. A few of them, such because the Spiaggia Romea Membership Village (the place I stayed on my first go to), provide a nature-based resort near the seashore, full with swimming pools and actions alongside completely different kinds of lodgings. Different first rate decisions embrace the Vacation Village Florenz, which has each cabins, pitches and glamping tents and its personal seashore membership, and Tenting Tahiti, which is just a little again from the seashore (it has a complimentary shuttle) however maybe probably the most family-friendly resort I’ve been to within the space.
Household-run base in Ravenna
On my most up-to-date go to to Ravenna, I stayed within the family-owned Lodge Sant’andrea, which was the proper base to discover the town and even the coast. Just some minutes from Ravenna’s most important thoroughfare, the spacious rooms have a conventional attraction. However the spotlight is the backyard courtyard space, good for having fun with the breakfast buffet. Verify costs.
The pool at MarePineta Resort, Milano Marittima
Upscale resort in Milano Marittima
MarePineta Resort
The primary lodge ever in-built Milano Marittima, MarePineta Resort, is now a renovated and splendid lodging selection, only a brief stroll from the ocean. With a beautiful pool, tennis courts, courtyard eating places and plush rooms, this is a superb selection for a refined Romagna seashore vacation. Verify costs.
Historic Ravenna luxurious keep
If you wish to splash out on a beautiful historic keep within the coronary heart of Ravenna, then the Palazzo Bezzi Lodge is a superb selection. This magnificently renovated property has spacious designer rooms, a spa house with a sauna, and a roof terrace to calm down on. Verify costs.
Honest-priced seaview keep
Whilst you received’t actually discover a funds possibility in Milano Marittima or Cervia on the top of summer season, Lodge Moderno B&B is nice worth for what you get. With some Seaview trendy rooms at truthful costs, it’s a great possibility when you can snag a deal. Verify costs.
Right here’s to a coastal escape in Emilia Romagna
5 of the most effective Adriatic seashores in Emilia Romagna (Finest seashores close to Bologna)
For me, the most effective seashore is often the closest, and wherever you find yourself stopping in your Emilia Romagna Riviera journey, you’re positive to search out some inviting sands to take a dip within the Adriatic Sea. However, when you simply wish to make a beeline to top-of-the-line stretches of sand or are searching for the most effective seashores close to Bologna, these are a few of my favorite locations to start out.
Simply understand that seashores work just a little bit in a different way in a lot of Italy than in different locations. When you go to one of many bagno (seashore resorts) with umbrellas and concessions, you should pay a each day reservation charge. Nevertheless, the seashores themselves aren’t non-public, so the small strip of empty sand often present in entrance of the lengthy rows of sunbeds are for the taking. Nonetheless, when you’d favor to be away from these busy and sometimes crammed stretches, it’s greatest to move to one of many public seashores (generally referred to as wild), the place you’ll discover extra space and, probably, a extra relaxed suggestion.
At Cala Zingaro seashore, you’ll discover each umbrellas and ‘wild’ empty sands
Le Dune Seaside, Comacchio
In entrance of Vacation Villa Florenz, on Comacchio’s shoreline, Le Dune Seaside is much less overrun than a few of the others close by. You’ll be able to hire Gazebos relatively than parasols right here or simply calm down on the tender, inviting sands. There’s additionally a good restaurant, Monnalisa, to seize lunch.
Cala Zingaro, Milano Marittima
Moments from the gorgeous flower-lined boulevards of Milano Marittima, Cala Zingaro bridges the most effective of each worlds on the Emilia Romagna Riviera. With a beautiful and well-kept seashore membership to at least one aspect and blissful sands devoid of umbrellas and sunloungers on the opposite, you may get pleasure from a lazy afternoon on the sands with first rate drinks and snacks a brief stroll away.
Finisterre Seaside, Ravenna, at sundown
La spiaggia libera di Marina di Ravenna, Ravenna
The lengthy expanse of shoreline that belongs to Ravenna has loads of decisions on provide. To the north, nearer to the ferry terminal, you’ll discover a vary of first rate seashore golf equipment and eating places (I’ve eaten at each Finisterre Seaside and Singita), that are first rate for lunch, sunlounger rental or a lovely sundown usually adopted by a summer season celebration. Nevertheless, for a much less developed possibility, place your self in the course of the stretch at Spiaggia Libera di Marina. Backed by dunes and pines, this wilder a part of the seashore is likely one of the few free seashores in Ravenna, and it’s an excellent selection if you wish to benefit from the Adriatic Coast with out background music and rows of umbrellas.
Cervia’s Shoreline
In entrance of storied Cervia, the shoreline is filled with leisure, seashore golf equipment, and row upon row of umbrellas that coat this huge swathe of sand. It’s not someplace to return for a peaceable second of reflection, however if you would like loads of decisions and competitors for seashore concession offers, music within the background, and to be only a brief stroll from Cervia’s fishing eating places, it’s a stable selection.
Umbrellas flutter with the Adriatic breeze in Cervia
Spiaggia Le Colonie, Rimini
Rimini has loads of paid-for seashore concessions, however there are additionally loads of public seashores close by. I’d recommend heading to the south of the town – additional away from the port – to Spiaggia Le Colonie or close by. This beautiful stretch of untamed sand isn’t coated in parasols, and also you’ll often discover a quiet nook for your self.
5 greatest coastal experiences on Emilia Romagna’s Riviera
Past the seashores, the Emilia Romagna Riviera has loads of sights to maintain you entertained if you desire a break from topping up your tan or bathing within the Adriatic – these are my prime picks of locations to go to and issues to do close by.
Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics are mesmerising
Marvel at Ravenna’s UNESCO-listed mosaics
Ravenna is arguably one in every of Europe’s most underrated cities. As soon as the capital of the Western Roman Empire, this metropolis, a brief drive from the Adriatic Sea, is steeped in historical past. Most spectacular are the eight UNESCO-listed monuments (a few of which I discussed above), particularly these embellished with vibrant Byzantine mosaics. When you do one daytrip as a part of your Emilia Romagna Riviera, this could be the one I like to recommend – it really is one in every of my favorite cities on the planet.
Fishing nets within the Po Delta
Conventional clam fishing within the Po Delta
Discover Commachio’s Canals and Po Delta
Comacchio is one in every of my favorite locations in Italy and stays a considerably offbeat vacation spot in Europe. I can’t actually inform you why, however I believe it’s as a result of the fishing city was comparatively reduce off from the remainder of the nation till the final century, which has helped it maintain a lot of its conventional attraction and helped protect the character of the Po Delta.
In addition to exploring all the highlights talked about within the above Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary (flamingos, historic ship museums, and fairly canals), you may spend longer delving into the city’s fishing previous within the eel-focused Manifattura dei Marinati Museum (they even have an eel pageant in September), or heading out deeper into the Po Delta, even perhaps becoming a member of one of many conventional clam fishermen to gather these tasty morsels close to the Sacca di Goro utilizing the normal methodology of a wood rake referred to as a rasta.
The Salt Pans of Cervia are famend throughout Italy
Uncover Cervia’s salt works
Alongside the MUSA Salt Museum and flamingo recognizing salt pan excursions I lined within the Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary above, there are a few different alternatives to be taught extra about Cervias’s candy salt. The museum additionally organises ‘experiences’ throughout summer season to see what it’s prefer to work the salt pans for the day, whereas visits to the piled-high Camillione salt pans are doable by a guided tour throughout the summer season afternoons on Thursdays and Sundays.
See the canals and boats of Cesenatico
Cesenatico has quite a lot of similarities to Cervia and is barely barely additional alongside the coast. With vibrant canals much like Comacchio – although these usually tend to have a few the grand conventional crusing ships on them – and a high-quality stretch of sand, it’s probably the most fashionable locations within the area with locals, but stays one thing of a hidden gem in Italy for guests.
Rimini’s Centro Storico
Cesenatico’s seashores
Go to the historic metropolis of Rimini
Whereas Cattolica marks the tip of Emilia Romagna’s Riviera, Rimini is the furthest I’ve explored, and it’s an amazing metropolis to incorporate if you would like some historical past served up alongside your sunbathing. With over two thousand years of historical past, this port metropolis was a key a part of the Roman Empire and flourished once more throughout the Center Ages. Key sights embrace the Roman arch and Ponte di Tiberio bridge, the Thirteenth-century Malatestiano Temple and a handful of museums, and households will get pleasure from a day on the ‘Italia in Miniatura’ theme park.
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