What do you think about Rimini?

[HolidayHustling]

We’re looking to go away the last 2 weeks of July and I’ve been looking at northern Italy, mainly Rimini and surrounding areas.

I’ve not travelled to Italy much so I haven’t a clue as to what it would be like. Could any of you share what your experiences have been or any recommendations?

For info, we’d be 2 adults and 2 kids ( 3 and 6 months) and we’d be going by car.

TIA!

We stopped for a couple of night last year, when travelling round Italy by train.
It was ok with a nice promenade, main street and beach. I didn't like the way the beach was taken over by sunbeds which you have to pay for (although seems to be like that in lots of resorts in Italy)
It was hot but not unbearable, quite windy 1 day.
Not sure is want 2 weeks there but fine for a few days in between cities.

It has a fab museum that I wanted to go to, DH said it wasn't enough.
Fano and Pesaro are similar- go to the museum and get out.

Go up the coast to Ravenna, that is stunning.

Ha ha!! We're gonna chance it! I'm honestly looking forward to it, I believe there are nice bits and not as nice bits, the area round the marina grande is meant to be nice. I pondered for ages where to go, would love to do the italian lakes but just didn't think the big camps there were quite right for us as we like it a bit quieter. I know Rimini isn't quiet but it's a big place so there will be quiet and busy parts to it!

I thought it was a baby name thread 🙈

Would be low on my list, as would jesolo. If a road trip is what you want then perhaps somewhere nearer and less hot such as Germany or Austria?

I’ve been, it’s the Blackpool of Italy.

Rimini is not the best sea you can find in Italy: that is because there is a lot of sand, water is shallow and when very hot you get some algae. And yes, you get recliners row after row.
On the plus side, it's the ideal place if you have small kids. All the hotels are family managed and cater for small children. All the beaches are organised for children. The beach where I went with my three year old even had a shower with steps for small children so that I did not have to bend.
Services and food are amazing, people smile and are kind and patient.
I would land in Bologna and go to Riccione (nicer than Rimini). It is one hour away, try to land late afternoon to avoid the traffic of the riviera. Great choice with small kids

Thanks everyone! I should’ve added that we live in Switzerland so will be driving from there. Sorry about that!

I originally wanted to go to the cote d’azur but everything seems booked up for when we need to go (last 2 weeks of July) so started to look at the Adriatic coast. We went to Liguria last year so wanted to try somewhere new.

We live near a big lake so not keen on the Italian lakes as I really want to be by the sea.

Any other destination suggestions would be much appreciated. I’m feeling Rimini wouldn’t work for us after reading these!

😂😂😂

I would like to find somewhere calm with a nice pool and a nearby beach, preferably the med so that my kids can paddle.

We went to the south west of France last year and the sea was so rough it was dangerous for my toddler which was a real shame.

I went there as a teenager in the 80s so can ‘t say what it’s like now, I don’t remember it being the best beach, what was fab though and I still remember how amazing it was was a day trip to Urbino, maybe not for toddlers though.

My other memory is that IIt was the first place I tasted stracciatella ice cream,

We stayed at a campsite near Ravenna a few years ago. It had a private beach so was quiet enough. Sea was warm and calm. No waves so a bit boring for our 3 teens. Ravenna is beautiful.

I should also add that we’re planning to do a stopover on the way there so wouldn’t be driving the whole way. My baby currently hates the car seat so my nerves would def not be able to take it!

The idea is to drive somewhere with a stopover for a night or two then carry on and stay a week then drive back with another stopover, like a little road trip.

@OccasionalHope you are me!!! We used to go in the early 80s (stayed at the grand)…straciatella was always my choice of flavor! Did you ever go to the roller rink by the beach?

I was thinking about Rimini this year for the teens as I spent some of my youth there, we all used to drive down /train down from the cities.
Then I realised I'm 52 ...

Lakes is a good shout, we've done them to death now but they've been a great family holiday.

Have a look at Milano Marittima just a bit further north of Rimini. I au paired there in the 90s, so it might have changed, but it was always known as a good family seaside place, more up market than Rimini. But generally speaking it’s not a very exciting part of Italy. Ravenna and Bologna are worth a look. I much prefer the other side of the country, at least the resorts of Viareggio and Lido di Camaiore have mountains behind them and lovely places like Lucca and the rest of Tuscany nearby, plus the Cinque Terre further north.

Rimini is a good base for exploring Emilia Romagna. San Marina, Bologna and Ravenna are stunning. Also the Marche close by. Rimini old town is interesting too. Most Italian beaches are organised with rows of sun beds but hotels usually include the cost, or at least have some kind of deal. Rivabella in my opinion is the best area of Rimini. Most of the hotels in Rimini are family run affairs.

Alternatively why don't you try the Ligurian coast. Lerici and San Terenzo are lovely seaside towns and close to the Cinque Terre. The Lunigiana is really beautiful to explore with many medieval hill towns and breathtaking views.

Rimini is one of the busiest beaches in Italy. Definitely not calm. I wouldn’t be able to relax there witb a toddler, it’s rows and rows of sun loungers for miles and miles. You can lose a child so easily.

it’s really far too drive especially wirh a baby who hates the seat even with a break. My youngest used to scream non stop after 2-3 hours driving, you will have to drive 7-10 hours in one day even with a stopover. And that’s without having to stop for nappy change, bottles, toilet, food, petrol.

Why don’t you listen to some of the well meaning advice here and go to Lake Garda or a smaller beach near Cinque Terre or near Jesolo/Bibione area? Fly to Verona or Venice.

please read the threads of all the people who hate holidays with a toddler. A road trip with a toddler, a baby who hates the car seat in scorching heat going to the busiest beach in Italy is the opposite of a relaxing child friendly holiday.

It will be like this in July.

Drive to croatia??? Tons of beautiful places and calm sea. Mostly stony so take water shoes though there are also sandy beaches.

@SuuzeeeQ that is exactly what it was like in Fano and Pesaro!

The Guardian has an article about Pesaro as a 'best beach' at the moment with a picture of a vast empty beach, not even a sun lounger.

I can only assume the photo was taken in Covid lockdown.

Agree with many pps that Rimini is not somewhere I'd go in tourist season unless I was aged 18-30 and wanted to be in clubs till dawn and on the beach with my hangover.

Riccione (also mentioned upthread) is the area where many of the clubs are located and Italians will often talk about going to Rimini when they mean Riccione. Both really are Ibiza nightlife central.

As others have said, it's the place where older Italian teens are desperate to go without their parents and where their parents try and persuade them not to.

I've only been off season (January) and out of season it's a gorgeous seaside town with lots to see and do. Great food. It was busy even then, as many adults will visit then because they know what it becomes in summer.

I'd definitely take pp's advice and maybe do Garda or somewhere more family friendly instead.

Also as pps have said, most beaches are privately owned or private in the sense that plots are leased out as concessions season by season, so then the people running them can charge what they want for entry, sunbeds etc. Private beaches do tend to be cleaned and better maintained but you'll find them v crowded as families hire their "plot" (numbered space) for the season. Incidentally, a lot of the beach areas are also used for open air clubbing scenes these days. Beginning late afternoon.

Riccione, just below Rimini is very nice, a classic Italian seaside town. But as others have said it is a long drive and will be mega hot.with limited shade Lakes area may be better. If you aren't familiar with Italian beach resorts, they do tend to have row after row of sun loungers laid out and many of the beaches are privately owned, belonging to Hotels and clubs.

I was also going to suggest Croatia. I have been twice and loved it.