Staying in Rimini: Where to Sleep, Swim, and Stroll

Two steps to the beach, three steps to history…
No matter where you stay in Rimini, you’ll find your balance.

In some cities, where you stay sets the tone for your entire trip.
Rimini is one of them.
Stay close to the beach, and you’ll wake up to the sea.
Stay near the historic center, and you’ll end your evening strolling through narrow, music-filled streets.
Plan smartly, and one morning you could even find yourself among the stone towers of San Marino.

We stayed at Hotel Baltic: a clean room, a balcony, a satisfying breakfast, and most importantly — a partnership with a local bagno (beach club).
Nothing stood between us and the sand.

This guide answers all your questions about where to stay, how to get around, which areas suit which travelers, and how to get to Rimini from Bologna — all based on real experience, with maps and tips included.

Ready? Let’s start.

1️ Where to Stay (and Where to Swim)? – What Each Area Offers

In Rimini, your choice of neighborhood doesn’t just decide your sleep quality —
it defines how many steps it takes to reach the sea, where you stroll in the evening, and which street you grab your morning coffee from.

There are three main areas to stay in Rimini:

Beachfront (Marina Centro),
Historic Center (Centro Storico),
Around the Train Station.

Each has its pros and cons — and each matches a different travel style.

🏖️ Marina Centro – Sea, Sunbeds, and Summertime Peace

This is Rimini’s classic holiday strip.
Along the long beachfront, you’ll find hundreds of hotels, trattorias, bars, and of course, bagnos —
private beach areas offering services.

💬 Our choice:

Hotel Baltic

The room was clean, had a balcony, and breakfast was generous enough.
Best part: direct access to a partnered bagno.
You just pick up a voucher from reception, walk to your sunbed, and pay the hotel later
no waiting, no bargaining.

🏊‍♂️ Where to swim? Our favorite Bagnos:

Bagno 26: For the young and active. Beach volleyball and music.
Bagno 55: Calmer, family-friendly, clean, and organized.
Bagno 57: Our favorite — not too crowded, not too quiet, just right.
→ Facilities include showers, toilets, changing cabins, a bar, and even a small book corner.

This area is perfect for those who want to spend their mornings on the beach and their evenings in seafront restaurants.

🏛️ Centro Storico – Immersed in History

A bit farther from the beach, but it offers more character.
Quieter, more nostalgic, and perfect for cool evening walks.

Around Piazza Cavour, you’ll find boutique hotels, cafés, and a more cultural experience.

💬 But beware:
If you stay in the center, expect a 20–25 minute walk to the beach.
Still, evening walks under old street lamps might make you forget about the sea altogether.

🚉 Around the Train Station – For Easy Day Trips

Hotels near the station are usually cheaper.
If you’re planning day trips from Rimini — like a visit to San Marino — staying here is very practical.

💬 However:
Some streets can feel deserted at night.
Choose your hotel carefully and always check recent reviews.

🎯 Summary:

Like us, if you love balancing “beach by day, city by night” → Marina Centro
If you prefer walking and exploring, and crave morning silence → Centro Storico
If you want budget options and easy day trips → Around the Station

2️Hotel Recommendations – 9 Options for Different Budgets

Clean rooms, good breakfasts, a nice balcony… still possible in Rimini.

🏖️ Marina Centro (Beachfront)

🌿 Hotel Baltic (Our Choice) - Price
📍 Viale Regina Elena 159 — ⭐ 8.3
💶 €70–90 / night (double room)
Simple, clean rooms with balconies.
Breakfast was varied and sufficient.
Discounted sunbeds and umbrellas at a partnered bagno.
💬 Perfect for: Morning beach walks and quiet nights.

🏊 Hotel Aria - Price
📍 Viale Dandolo 13 — ⭐ 9.1
💶 €100–130
Modern and elegant.
Rooftop pool and a lavish buffet breakfast.
5 minutes to the beach but on a quieter street.

🏖️ Hotel Stresa - Price
📍 Viale Gubbio 21 — ⭐ 9.0
💶 €60–80
Small but extremely well-managed hotel.
Friendly staff and a cozy “home feeling.”
Excellent value for money.

🏛️ Centro Storico (Historic Center)

🎨 DuoMo Hotel - Price
📍 Via Giordano Bruno 28 — ⭐ 8.4
💶 €100–120
Art-themed interior for a unique stay.
Music, design, and city vibes all together.
20-minute walk to the beach.

🕊️ Hotel Card International - Price
📍 Via Dante Alighieri 50 — ⭐ 9.0
💶 €80–100
Quiet yet central.
Good breakfast, comfortable rooms, modern decor.
Perfect for a day of walking and an evening in town.

🌱 B&B I Propilei di San Girolamo - Price
📍 Via San Girolamo 3 — ⭐ 8.7
💶 €50–70
A small boutique stay where you’ll feel the local spirit.
Close to the historic center but non-touristy.
Homemade breakfast is a big plus.

🚉 Around the Station (For Practical Access)

💼 Hotel Moderno - Price
📍 Piazzale Cesare Battisti 16 — ⭐ 7.4
💶 €50–65
Steps from the train station.
Very practical for day trips to San Marino, Bologna, and more.

☕ Hotel Aldebaran - Price
📍 Viale Cormons 9 — ⭐ 8.1
💶 €45–60
Clean, affordable, and a strong breakfast.
Great for short stays and simple expectations.

🌸 Hotel Villa Lalla - Price
📍 Viale Vittorio Veneto 22 — ⭐ 8.4
💶 €65–85
On a quieter street, compact but comfortable.
5 minutes to the station, 10 minutes to the beach.

3️ Getting Around the City

Wear comfortable shoes — because in Rimini, everything starts with walking.

Rimini is a small city.
If you’ve chosen your hotel wisely — and if you pick one from our list, you have —
you can reach the beach, the historic center, restaurants, and cafés almost entirely on foot.

Still, sometimes you’ll get tired or just want to avoid walking 2 km under the midday sun.
That’s when Rimini’s simple but effective transport system comes in handy.

🚶‍♂️ Walking – The True Spirit of Rimini

Walking along the beach strip: Perfect in the cool morning or at sunset.
Historic center → Beachfront: About 20–25 minutes.
Borgo San Giuliano → Center: 10 minutes.
Piazza Cavour → Arco d’Augusto → Station: Both a cultural and practical route.

💬 Personal tip:
Our favorite moments in Rimini were spent just walking — sometimes after breakfast, sometimes after dinner, sometimes with no destination at all.

🚌 Bus System

Rimini’s public transport network is small but functional.
Operator: Start Romagna
Tickets:

From tabacchi shops (marked with a "T")
Some kiosks
Mobile apps (MooneyGo or DropTicket)

Standard ticket: €1.50 (valid for 75 minutes)
Buying from the driver: €2.00 (more expensive)

📌 Along the beachfront, small shuttle buses operate in summer.
Perfect for short rides of 1–2 stops to escape the midday heat.

🚲 Bikes & Scooters

There are dedicated bike lanes along the beachfront.
Electric scooters (Lime, Bird, etc.) are popular in summer.
Rental by the minute via mobile app is required.

💬 Tip:
If you wake up early or want to catch the sunset, scooters are a fun alternative to walking.

🅿️ Parking & Car Rental

If you’re driving, note that using a car inside Rimini isn’t very practical.
Outside of peak season, finding parking is easy — in summer, it’s a challenge.

Best parking spots:

Piazzale Fellini
Parcheggio Largo Martiri d'Ungheria

Both are paid but spacious.

🎯 Summary:
Rimini is best discovered on foot.
But if needed, a quick bus ride or 15 minutes on a scooter can save your energy for better things — like the sea breeze.

4️ Getting to Rimini – From Bologna and Beyond

Don’t be fooled by its seaside location — Rimini is better connected than many inland cities.

Despite being on the Adriatic coast, Rimini has great train connections to Italy’s major cities.
That means you can reach it easily from both big hubs and small beach towns.

🚆 Regional Trains

Operator: Trenitalia
Tickets:

online (Trenitalia, Omio) or
from station machines.

📌 Don’t forget to validate (digitally or manually) your ticket before going to the platform.

🔹 Bologna → Rimini

Duration: 1h 15m – 1h 30m
Ticket: €9–12 (regional trains)
Frequent departures all day, but better to book early in summer.

🔹 Florence → Rimini

Duration: 2h 15m (direct)
Ticket: €15–22
More frequent with a transfer in Bologna.

🔹 Ravenna → Rimini

Duration: 1 hour
Ticket: €6–8
Beautiful seaside route.

🔹 Modena / Parma → Rimini

Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Requires a transfer to Bologna.
Ticket: Around €15.

🔹 Ancona → Rimini

For travelers coming from the south.
Duration: 1 hour
Ticket: €7–9.

🚌 By Bus

🟡 San Marino → Rimini

Duration: 50–60 minutes
One-way ticket: €6 (round-trip €10)
Departure: In front of the Rimini train station.
Buses run every 1–1.5 hours between 08:00–18:00.

🟡 Rimini – Riccione – Cattolica (Coastal Buses)

Mini-buses connect these beach towns in 20–30 minutes.
Perfect for a little beach-hopping or evening bar-hopping.

✈️ By Plane

Closest airports:

Federico Fellini Airport (Rimini): Active mainly in summer for charter flights.
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ): Active year-round, 1.5-hour train ride to Rimini.
Ancona Falconara Airport: An alternative if coming from the south.

💬 Tip:
We came from Bologna, but once you’re in Rimini, it’s easy to hop along the coast by train.

🎯 Additional Tips:

When buying train tickets, “Regionale” trains are cheapest, but faster options like “Frecciabianca” also exist — check the price difference.
Rimini’s train station is centrally located; you can usually walk to your accommodation.
In summer, book train tickets at least a day in advance for peace of mind.

5️ Booking Tips

Look at the map once — then trust your feet.

Rimini is small, but don’t be fooled by how close everything seems.
A good hotel choice and the right beach spot can double your holiday experience.

📌 Booking & Accommodation Tips

✔️ Early Booking Pays Off

Summer season: Book 3–4 weeks in advance
Spring & Fall: 1–2 weeks is enough

✔️ Tassa di soggiorno – City Tax

Usually €1.50–2.50 per person, per night
Paid at checkout, not always included in the price

✔️ Check if breakfast is included and how close the hotel is to the beach

If the hotel mentions a bagno partnership, that’s a big plus
Always check where the bagno is on the map!

✔️ Booking Rating + Reviews = Golden Rule

Choose hotels rated 8.0 and above
Pay special attention to reviews about cleanliness, breakfast, and location

👉 Now you’re fully ready for your Rimini stay.
But the journey doesn’t stop here!

🔜 If you’re looking for a perfect day trip after Rimini:
🏞️ A Day Above the Clouds: San Marino Travel Diary
📜 What to See in San Marino: Towers, Views, and Stone Streets

🍷 — Wanderoria