3043 Rimini

I haven't been for about 11 years so I expect it is even busier than it was then, There are some nice buildings and piazza's. But on the whole it was souvenir shops etc. We stayed near Cattolica but Rimini was where we caught the trains to everywhere. We found it a great spot to explore Emilia Romagna from, the trains were great, fast, cheap and reliable, If you explore don't miss Bologna it is fantastic. If you've managed to get a cheap deal, why not? Can't comment on the beaches as we didn't use them. I guess it depends on what you are looking for.
Hope this helps

Hi, that's all nonsense about Rimini being trashy. I've been last couple of years as we have family there.
I would maybe avoid 1st 2 weeks of august as like all of Italy it's heaving.
We generally go last 2 weeks of july and always enjoy it.
i have only seen one english bar which has been there for about 25 years.
Rimini offers everything. if you want a bit of class, riccione is ten minutes by local bus and rimini old town is also very nice especially at night.
Having been all over Italy I find nothing trashy about Rimini.
I would suggest staying in a Residence and try and find one in the marina centro area. I hope this helps you make up your mind
regards.
Gary

[QUOTE=gazzager]Hi, that's all nonsense about Rimini being trashy. I've been last couple of years as we have family there.
I would maybe avoid 1st 2 weeks of august as like all of Italy it's heaving.
We generally go last 2 weeks of july and always enjoy it.
i have only seen one english bar which has been there for about 25 years.
Rimini offers everything. if you want a bit of class, riccione is ten minutes by local bus and rimini old town is also very nice especially at night.
Having been all over Italy I find nothing trashy about Rimini.
I would suggest staying in a Residence and try and find one in the marina centro area. I hope this helps you make up your mind
regards.
Gary[/QUOTE]
i couldn't have said it better.It's decidedly cleaner than most uk towns in fact traditionally it's not particularly frequented by brits,had the best fried fish in my life in Rimini,great services fantastic clubs,shops it's generally good value but if you want they've got 4-5 star hotels too..gazzeger's right july august it's really busy but always good fun for that kind of holiday place they're a school for theworld and nice people....

[QUOTE=Jay3gsm]Has anynone here actually been? I'm tempted to go this year, would be grateful for opinions. I've heard reports that it is a cheap shabby english like tourist place, dirty and not Italian like at all with little culture to interest. On the other hand it does have a wide variety of beaches to choose from :)

Anyone?[/QUOTE]
Hi Jay, Like Gary I also dont think Rimini is trashy, I have been going there the last 17 years as my father in law has a home there as he is Italian, its like every where else it all depends what you want from the visit,if you want hustle and bustle then the main part of rimini is the place to go to ,which is very touristy,but there are quieter areas where you have still got the beach ,shops and nice restaurants,where italians go to,thats heading towards torre pedrea, we are in Rivabella, and for me it has the perfect balance you rarely hear another english voice on the beach, Italians come here for their holidays in august when Italy shuts down, but the rest of the time it is a place where you can relax, have good food, the beach has everything you want, its also geared up if you have children, the buses run frequently takes no time to get into main town Rimini and Riccione, if you have a car you could go beyond there to Gabicci Monte which is beautiful, you could go to eat up there in a restaurant or pizzeria overlooking the sea its very beautiful at night, Rimini has everything to offer, its what you want, if you need any more advice where to stay or any info, let us know :) Francesca

Go to the town Sant'Arcangelo while you are there, it's absolutely beautiful and packed with culture. See if you can get a seat at the Osteria La Sangiovesa [url]http://www.sangiovesa.it/[/url], it's one of my all time favourite restaurants - something really, really special but still good value. Keep an eye out for Italian celebs...

For a good value holiday good for families try the smaller resort of Igea Marina a few miles from Rimini. My husband's uncles and aunts have some hotels there and there's a lovely family atmosphere with great home-cooked food and handmade tagliatelle! Try the Hotel Franca and the Hotel Smeraldo on the seafront. I'd be surprised if you come across any Brits.

Sarah

Yes Sarah , I totally agree with you on your recommendation Sant' Arcangelo is fabulous,and Osteria La Sangiovesa the food is wonderful! I hope Jay will be driving as there are so many places that are worth visiting, also Casa Zanni at Villa Veruchio, also another great place to eat:) Francesca

Positive views all round, that's good. Looks like I'll be booking my trip then :)

I was planning to go in September, after the Ferragosto and general August rush, but still in time to enjoy the weather. Should mean slightly cheaper hotel rates too :) Will probably mix time between some time on the beach and if I rent a car I can explore around, although usually when I'm in Italy I travel via bus and rail.

Thanks for the feedback.

Hi Jay, I've just joined this forum and as I live not far from Rimini, I thought I'd throw my 2 eurocents worth in.
I'm not a huge lover of Rimini. I find it big and totally chaotic in the Summer.
Having said that it's difficult when you are local and see the traffic and crowded beaches in high season so I will try and be objective.
As others have said, If I were to choose Rimini a a holiday destination, I would look at the Marina centro area. This is the area where perhaps most of the newer developments and nicer hotls are located.
It's also nearer to the old centre which is nice and still has its Italian charm.
Also close to the harbour area where you will find some good restuarants.
However, having said that I would skip from Rimini and Riccione and head to Cattolica.
OK I admit to being somewhat one side here as it's where I live.
Cattolica is the only resort on the coast to have had such a massive facelift in the past 5/6 years.
It's full of lovely fountain developments and new pedestrian areas. We also have a brand new marina development with new shops and bars etc.
It's much smaller than Rimini and Riccione but still offers all you need for a great holiday.
Added bonus is that it's linked by a footbridge over the canal to Gabicce Mare and from there Gabicce Monte which has some wonderful views and walks not to mention some great restaurants.
Gradara is only 5 minutes away and here you will find the real Italy in this small and beautifully conserved medieval walled city.
The 3 areas Cattolica, Gabicce and Gradara form a lovely litle triangle where you can have beach, views and a touch of the medieval all within minutes of each other.
Cattolica is right on the border of Le Marche (Gabicce & Gradara are Le Marche) so you can enjoy 2 regions in one.
Sorry if I have made my first posting an epic but I love this little area and am sure you would too.
Whatever your choice-------buona vacanza.x

[QUOTE=Jay3gsm]Has anynone here actually been? I'm tempted to go this year, would be grateful for opinions. I've heard reports that it is a cheap shabby english like tourist place, dirty and not Italian like at all with little culture to interest.[/QUOTE]

I've been to Rimini in the summer and it is very busy, full of tourists and touristy shops etc. There is plenty to see and do but it is certainly not a Florence or a Rome culturally. However that doesn't make it any less 'Italian'. Blackpool is shabby and tacky, but it couldn't be more British nor filled with more British holidaymakers. Similarly, Rimini is an Italian holiday resort and its full of Italians. If you want to meet 'real' Italians, you'll be better off in Rimini than in Venice for example, particularly in the middle of summer.

Thanks, all the input and opinions helps. Nothing worse than planning a trip and finding out your destination turns out to be not what you hoped, when 5 miles down the road you could have had so much more.

I'm not to far from Rimini. It's a fun city if your looking for clubs, bars, etc.. Be sure to visit the city centro as it suprises some people that Rimini could be this cultural. Lot's of tourists and traffic!
There's also a new shopping centre Le Befane, has everything your looking for, movie theatre,etc..
Great restaurant, but book ahead.....
Osteria Il Mare in Piazza
Via Poletti, 8
0541 780423

you will eat well, large portions, not to expensive..
enjoy

[QUOTE=Dream Academy]Hi Jay, I've just joined this forum and as I live not far from Rimini, I thought I'd throw my 2 eurocents worth in.
I'm not a huge lover of Rimini. I find it big and totally chaotic in the Summer.
Having said that it's difficult when you are local and see the traffic and crowded beaches in high season so I will try and be objective.
As others have said, If I were to choose Rimini a a holiday destination, I would look at the Marina centro area. This is the area where perhaps most of the newer developments and nicer hotls are located.
It's also nearer to the old centre which is nice and still has its Italian charm.
Also close to the harbour area where you will find some good restuarants.
However, having said that I would skip from Rimini and Riccione and head to Cattolica.
OK I admit to being somewhat one side here as it's where I live.
Cattolica is the only resort on the coast to have had such a massive facelift in the past 5/6 years.
It's full of lovely fountain developments and new pedestrian areas. We also have a brand new marina development with new shops and bars etc.
It's much smaller than Rimini and Riccione but still offers all you need for a great holiday.
Added bonus is that it's linked by a footbridge over the canal to Gabicce Mare and from there Gabicce Monte which has some wonderful views and walks not to mention some great restaurants.
Gradara is only 5 minutes away and here you will find the real Italy in this small and beautifully conserved medieval walled city.
The 3 areas Cattolica, Gabicce and Gradara form a lovely litle triangle where you can have beach, views and a touch of the medieval all within minutes of each other.
Cattolica is right on the border of Le Marche (Gabicce & Gradara are Le Marche) so you can enjoy 2 regions in one.
Sorry if I have made my first posting an epic but I love this little area and am sure you would too.
Whatever your choice-------buona vacanza.x[/QUOTE]

Totally agree with the above. I've never been to Rimini apart from flying there so it is unfair to comment. However I have been to Cattolica, more than once and would recommend it without hesitation. At the Gabicce Mare end they have a new Marina and Gradara, as already said is worth a visit. Try and get to the English war cemetary as well just near Gradara and certainly within walking distance.

I've have always gone self catering at [url]www.residencefiorella.com[/url], it is right by the sea overlooking the harbour. The owner will pick you up at Rimini airport, no charge. Easyjet fly from Luton to Rimini.

You can always visit Rimini from here and decide if you want to spend next years hols there.

Enjoy