This port town on Italy's Adriatic coast has a canal harbor designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1502, with colorful fishing boats and a floating museum of historic vessels.
Cesenatico's 16th-century canal, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, cuts through the center of this Emilia-Romagna coastal town. You can watch fishermen unload their daily catch from wooden boats with distinctive orange and red sails, explore maritime history at the floating museum ships, or cycle along the Adriatic shoreline. The morning fish market buzzes with activity as locals select fresh seafood, while the Porto Canale's waterfront restaurants serve up regional specialties.
The Porto Canale
The canal winds through Cesenatico's center, where wooden fishing boats dock along both sides. In 1502, Leonardo da Vinci surveyed this waterway at Cesare Borgia's request, though his plans for improvement never materialized. Today, fishing boats still bring in their daily catch, and small vessels moor along the waterway. You can dine at restaurants and cafes that line the canal's edges, watching boats come and go while you eat.
Maritime Museum Experience
The museum spans both water and land, with ten historic vessels anchored in the Porto Canale. Inside the land section, you'll find fishing equipment, boat-building tools, and maritime artifacts that document Adriatic seafaring history. The floating exhibition includes nine fishing boats and one cargo vessel that once sailed to Croatia. Each vessel comes with detailed information about local maritime traditions and techniques.
Morning Fish Market
Visit the fish market near Piazza Pisacane at dawn any day except Sunday to see fishermen arrange their fresh catches on ice-covered displays. Local residents and chefs browse through sea bass, sardines, and shellfish caught that morning. Behind the main building, twelve vendors run a small farmers' market selling seasonal produce and regional specialties.
Getting Around By Bicycle
A paved bike path runs the length of Cesenatico's beachfront. The flat terrain makes cycling easy, with dedicated lanes throughout town and into surrounding areas. Many hotels include bikes with their rooms. You can pedal to nearby towns or explore the countryside using marked routes that connect to regional cycling paths.
Transportation and Access
Trains run from Bologna to Cesenatico's central station in one hour and 40 minutes. By car, the journey from Bologna takes about one hour via the A14 motorway. The closest airport is Rimini & San Marino Airport, 28 kilometers south, while Bologna Airport is 104 kilometers northwest. Buses connect the train station to the beach area throughout the day.
