Things to do in Cesenatico

1. 01

   Following the canal harbour from the museum to the sea

   The canal harbour is the axis of the historic centre and separates Ponente from Levante. Boats, quays and squares tell the story of Cesenatico's origins as Cesena's port. Leonardo da Vinci observed and drew it in 1502, when the harbour already existed. Walks in Cesenatico describes routes between the two banks.

   

2. 02

   Visiting both sections of Museo della Marineria

   Traditional boats form the museum's floating section and can be viewed from the quays. The pavilion at 18 Via Armellini houses the land section, with boats, tools and accounts of work at sea. The floating section can be viewed freely from the quays, while the land section requires a museum ticket. Other activities are in the children's guide.

   

3. 03

   Combining Casa Moretti and Antiquarium

   Casa Moretti preserves rooms, books and documents belonging to the writer Marino Moretti on the Ponente bank. Antiquarium, on Via Armellini, explores the area's origins through archaeological finds and a room devoted to Leonardo and Garibaldi. These are nearby stops, covered by a combined ticket with Museo della Marineria.

   

4. 04

   Stopping at the Garibaldi monument in Piazza Pisacane

   Tullo Golfarelli's monument, unveiled in 1884, commemorates Garibaldi's embarkation with Anita and his companions on 2 August 1849, during their escape towards Venezia. The square overlooking the canal makes the link between the historical episode and the departure point clear. Festa di Garibaldi, listed in the events calendar, revives this memory.

   

5. 05

   Discovering how fish was preserved

   The Pescheria comunale of 1911 introduces the fish trade; just behind it are Piazzetta delle Erbe and Piazza delle Conserve. The conserve are deep underground structures that kept food cool using ice and snow. The restored examples show the work before modern refrigeration. The shopping guide completes the walk with markets and central streets.

   

6. 06

   Reaching Piazza Spose dei Marinai

   On the Ponente side, the square houses Quinto Pagliarani's bronze of a mother and two children facing the sea. On the Levante side are the lighthouse and porte vinciane, a modern storm-surge protection system inspired by Leonardo's hydraulic principles.

   

7. 07

   Reading the twentieth century through villas and Grattacielo

   Viale Anita Garibaldi preserves small villas from the first seaside expansion; Pescheria is part of the Regione's Liberty route. Colonia AGIP and Grattacielo represent other moments of the twentieth century. Grattacielo is inhabited and viewed from outside; the Colonia opens for special events. Urban excursions connect these buildings with the centre and sea.

   

8. 08

   Choosing one of the five beach areas

   Zadina and Ponente are north of the harbour; Levante, Valverde and Villamarina continue south. The coast measures about seven kilometres, with beach widths varying between stretches, and the 2026 Blue Flag covers all five areas. The beach guide describes the stretches and access points.

   

9. 09

   Finding shade at Tamerici in Valverde

   Spiaggia delle Tamerici is a free area in Valverde designed with shaped trees and natural materials. Its greenery distinguishes it from the rows of parasols at beach establishments. The free beaches guide explores this stretch alongside the other coastal alternatives.

10. 10

    Seeing Tende al Mare or hearing a dawn concert

    Tende al Mare brings painted works to the free beach opposite Piazza Costa. Concerti all'alba uses different stretches of coast as listening venues in the early morning. These summer activities bring art and music to the sand outside swimming hours.

    

11. 11

    Walking through Giardini al Mare

    Between Viale Carducci and the beach establishments, Giardini al Mare forms a green strip with paths, play equipment and rest areas. Cattedrale delle Foglie, created from an idea by Tonino Guerra, places large steel leaves beside Romagna fruit trees. The walk combines with the beach and centre; the family guide explores stops and other activities.

12. 12

    Choosing a park on each side of the harbour

    Parco di Levante offers ponds, paths, play equipment and picnic spaces; Parco di Ponente is largely wooded, near Viale Mazzini. To the north, Zadina pinewood follows the edge of the beach.

    

13. 13

    Cycling towards the Pisciatello or using the cycle circuit

    The Pisciatello cycle route links the Cesenatico area to Cesena over about fifteen kilometres. For circuit cycling, the reference point is the Villamarina cycle circuit on Via Litorale Marina. The Comune also publishes routes with downloadable tracks, collected alongside facilities in the cycling and sport guide.

    

14. 14

    Remembering Marco Pantani on the seafront

    In Piazza Marconi, the Marco Pantani monument depicts a cyclist climbing a boulder. The champion, born in Cesena and raised in Cesenatico, is part of the town's sporting memory. The stop fits into a walk along Viale Carducci.

    

15. 15

    Trying oily fish and joining in the harbour festivals

    Anchovies and sardines are central to Cesenatico's maritime cooking. Rustida refers to grilled fish, while salt-cured saraghina and cuttlefish with peas are traditional regional preparations. Azzurro come il pesce and Il pesce fa festa devote events to local food. The where to eat guide explores dishes and dining areas.

    

16. 16

    Walking in the evening between Piazza Costa and the canal

    Piazza Andrea Costa, beneath Grattacielo, and Viale Carducci are landmarks for summer walks. The harbour offers a different setting, among boats and historic-centre squares. Summer adds markets and music series, including Notturni alle Conserve. The entertainment guide describes the evening areas.

    

17. 17

    Watching a performance at Teatro Comunale

    Teatro Comunale on Via Mazzini is a nineteenth-century building with stalls, boxes and an upper gallery. The theatre season adds an option for stays outside summer, while the Largo Cappuccini arena offers another space for the outdoor programme. Programming is covered in the cultural activities guide.

    

18. 18

    Seeing Presepe della Marineria on the boats

    The floating Nativity scene transforms the harbour's historic boats into scenes of the Nativity and maritime life. Established in 1986, it turns 40: the official programme announces the installation from 29 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, free to view from the quays. The events guide also brings together other Christmas activities.

    

19. 19

    Reaching Cesena and choosing an excursion into the hills

    Start Romagna route 94/94A links Cesenatico to Cesena. Biblioteca Malatestiana preserves documentary heritage recognised in UNESCO's Memory of the World register. Longiano and Bertinoro are other hinterland destinations in the hills, covered in the castles and fortresses guide.

    

Sources: Comune di Cesenatico and tourism portal, including Presepe 2026-27; Museo della Marineria, information; Regione Emilia-Romagna, itineraries and traditional products; Ministero della Cultura, Catalogo generale; Start Romagna, route 94/94A. Accessed between 2 and 10 October 2026.

Sources: Regione Emilia-Romagna, Liberty itinerary; Comune di Cesenatico; Ministero della Cultura, Catalogo generale. Accessed on 2 October 2026.

By car

The municipal portal indicates the A14 Cesena exit from the north, or Rimini Nord and Valle del Rubicone from the south, continuing along local roads and Statale 16. The historic centre around the harbour is a pedestrian area and restricted traffic zone all year.

By train and air

Cesenatico station is on the Rimini-Ravenna line, served by regional trains. The nearest airports are Rimini, Forlì and Bologna.

Buses and bicycles

Start Romagna route 94/94A links Cesenatico and Cesena; urban routes 1, 2 and 3 serve the coastal areas. For cycling, the Comune publishes route tracks, and the Pisciatello cycle route links the area to Cesena.

Sources: Comune di Cesenatico, directions and restricted traffic zone and pedestrian areas page; Start Romagna, route 94/94A; RFI. Accessed between 2 and 10 October 2026.