This lively beach town on Italy's Adriatic coast has 6 kilometers of sandy beaches, trendy fashion boutiques, and popular nightclubs along Viale Ceccarini.
Riccione sits along Italy's Adriatic coast, where 11 kilometers of sandy beaches stretch beside the warm waters. You can spend your mornings swimming at one of the 148 beach establishments, afternoons sliding down Aquafan's Kamikaze water slide, and evenings walking down Viale Ceccarini, where locals and visitors gather at cafes and boutiques. In the hills above town, the glass pyramid of Cocoricò nightclub lights up the night sky, while art exhibitions rotate through the rooms of the historic Villa Mussolini.
Historical Background
Riccione began as a fishing village and separated from Rimini in the 1920s to become an independent resort town. The opening of the A14 highway in 1968 and Federico Fellini International Airport transformed it into a major vacation destination on the Adriatic coast.
Exploring Riccione's Beaches
The beach runs from Marano in the north to Fontanelle Abissinia in the south. Between beach establishments 40 and 77, you'll find swimming pools, whirlpools, and courts for beach tennis and volleyball. Many beach clubs run children's activities throughout the day, with trained staff organizing games and sports.
Shopping and Social Life on Viale Ceccarini
Viale Ceccarini connects Piazzale Roma to the town center. Italian fashion boutiques line both sides of the street, while cafes set up outdoor tables in the evenings. During the first weekend of July, the Pink Night festival fills the street with concerts and events from sunset until dawn.
Theme Parks and Family Entertainment
At Aquafan water park (€32 for adults, €25 for children), you can ride the steep Kamikaze slide, twist through the Twist tunnel, or race down Surfing Hill. The adjacent Oltremare theme park (€28 for adults, €23 for children) has a 9,000-square-meter dolphin lagoon with daily shows. Walk through the Australia Experience to see wallabies, or watch birds of prey demonstrations at the Eagle Experience.
Art and Culture
Villa Franceschi, built in Art Nouveau style, displays modern and contemporary art from the 20th century onward. At Villa Mussolini, the former dictator's summer residence, rotating exhibitions fill the restored rooms. Throughout the year, the Palazzo del Turismo hosts art shows and cultural events in its exhibition halls.
Parks and Green Spaces
Two main parks give you space away from the beach: Parco della Resistenza has walking paths through pine trees, while John Paul II Park (Parco Centrale) includes children's playgrounds and open grass areas. At the Municipal Sports Centre "Italo Nicoletti", you can swim in Olympic-size pools or play on the tennis courts.
Nightlife Scene
The hills above Riccione contain several nightclubs that stay open until early morning in summer. Cocoricò, with its distinctive glass pyramid, has been a cornerstone of Italian nightlife since 1989. Additional clubs line the beachfront, creating a continuous strip of venues from the shore to the hills.
