Relaxing in Cesenatico

Having had a fairly busy schedule so far on our Italy trip Bridget and I were looking for a more relaxing kind of day. We did some research and came across Cesenatico ‘a picturesque fishing village’ a short coastal train ride from Rimini.

We arrived in Cesenatico at lunchtime and were immediately taken aback by this pretty colourful town with its charismatic ancient canal running through the centre.

Historic boats are exhibited in the canal which are the open air feature of the Maritime Museum. Unfortunately in March the main museum building is only open at weekends (and not on Thursdays). Exhibits in there include artifacts which date back to Roman times.

The original home of writer and poet Marino Moretti overlooks the canal. This is now another museum.

Further along the canal we came across the shortest ferry ride I’ve ever seen. For the small sum of 50 cents, in 30 seconds we were taken across the canal to the other side!

We carried on walking on the other side of the canal towards the port. Cesenatico has a rich history and dates back to 1302 when the original port was built. Leonado Da Vinchi re-designed the port in 1502 and Giuseppe Garibaldi sailed from Cesenatico to Venice in 1849.

At the the end of the canal in this sea faring town we came across historic fishermen houses on stilts. Capanni da Pesca (fishing huts) have huge nets which are lowered into the sea to capture fish.

A visit to Italy isn’t complete without a shot of lemoncello 🍋

We had a drink (and the lemoncello) in Mare a lively and busy seaside restaurant opposite the fishermen houses.

Mare had many varied interesting features. Hanging above where I was sitting was a model boat from El Nido (Philippines) which, with its little stabilising outriggers reminded me of the island hopping boat tour Chris and I had experienced in El Nido.

As well as protecting the town the sea defences ensure calm waters for summer beach activities such as swimming and paddleboarding.

From the sea defences we could see the start of 7 km of beach and the coastline. Sticking up on the landscape amidst the row of beachfront hotels is the skyscraper!

The skyscraper is located at Piazza Andrea Costa although you can hardly miss it as it towers above everything else. This massive residential 35 storey building was completed in 1958 and for two years it was the tallest building in Italy.

Opposite the skyscraper across the piazza is the plush Art-Nouveau 5* Grand Hotel which has accommodated guests for many years. There is a spa, restaurant, bars and it is also a wedding venue.

We called into the tourist information office then went off in search of the memorial of Marco Pantani.

Cesenatico is the home of cycle touring and was the place where cyclist Marco Pantani was born. Pantani was one of Italy’s greatest cyclists having won the Tour de France twice along with many other national and international cycling events.

Tragically he died in 2004 in a hotel room in Rimini at the age of 34 from cocaine poisoning. His funeral was held in Cesenatico and was attended by 20,000 people including Diego Maradonna.

Here we were close to the large Levante public park so we had a look and a short walk around it but I didn’t take any park photos. Levante Park is over 40 hectares of grass and trees and contains two small lakes. This is popular with cyclists as well as joggers.

We walked back from the park through pleasant tree lined residential streets until we arrived at Piazza delle Conserve (Conserve Square) where fish was once packed in ice and stored in huge wells during the winter months.

The Pescheria Comunale (Fish Market) is located at the canal close to Piazza delle Conserve.

Located in the Piazetta delle Erbe is a mural of Cesenatico’s Porto Canale which was created by artist Walter Masotti.

Having spent the entire afternoon walking around Cesenatico by the time we arrived back at the canal the sun was setting.

We hadn’t had lunch so it was now time for a glass of local Sangiovese wine and something to eat.

It was too early for dinner as most restaurants don’t open until around 7.30 pm so Bridget and I shared a tasty mixed bruscetta in Mapico bistro before getting the 18:46 direct train back to Rimini.

Summary

With delightful place to visit which was just what we were looking for! Scenic, interesting and with some lovely bars and restaurants. Highly recommended for an easy short day trip from Rimini.