What can you do in Cesenatico?

History of Cesenatico: An Overview for Travelers

Cesenatico, a charming coastal town in Emilia-Romagna, has a rich history ranging from ancient to modern times. The first settlements in the area date back to the 5th century BC. The Romans further developed the area and made it suitable for agriculture.

In the Middle Ages, Cesenatico was an important port under the influence of various powers, including the Malatesta family and the Church. The city was often the scene of fighting and destruction, especially during the wars between the rival cities and the papacy.

Leonardo da Vinci has a special place in the history of Cesenatico. He visited the harbor and made sketches that are still preserved today. It is believed that he gave advice on possible improvements to the port.

In the 19th century, Giuseppe Garibaldi played an important role in the city's history. He came to Cesenatico in 1849 to requisition boats for his escape to Venice. Although he was later intercepted by the Austrian Navy, his visit remains an important part of local history.

The railway had an enormous influence on the development of seaside tourism in Cesenatico. With improved connectivity, the city became a popular tourist destination, and the port transformed from a trading and fishing port to a tourist attraction.

Today Cesenatico is a popular tourist town that has retained its historic roots while offering modern amenities. The port, once a center for trade and fishing, is now a popular place for tourists to enjoy local culture and cuisine.

What can one do in Cesenatico?

The name Cesenatico awakens the longing for vacation in me. Vacation, which in this case means lounging on the beach. Just do nothing, sleep in, soak up the sun, sip cocktails and occasionally cool off in the sea.

Relax on the Cesenatico seafront

Idle relaxation on the beach is not usually our type of vacation. But a holiday in Cesenatico can be so much more. There is a lot to do and discover in and around Cesenatico that makes a holiday in Emilia Romagna exciting.

Boat trip on the harbor canal in the old town of Cesenatico

For example, you can take a boat trip on the harbor canal, which was designed by Leonardo da Vinci, and experience the history of the place up close.

Cycling tour through the hinterland of Cesenatico

If you like cycling, Cesenatico is the perfect starting point for bike tours into the hinterland. The rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna offer routes for every level. Many local cafés have special snacks for cyclists. We also visited a winery in the hinterland on our trip and were thrilled by the views and the wines.

A visit to the Parco di Levante is suitable for families with children

If you are traveling with children, the Parco di Levante offers a welcome change. This park is not only a place to relax but also an educational center. Here children learn more about the local flora and fauna in a playful way.

Foodies can buy fresh fish in the fish market. Or would you rather try piadina?

For those who like to shop, there is also the Mercato del Pesce, the fish market. Here you can buy fresh fish directly from the fishermen for the kitchen in the holiday home or for grilling at a campsite. And if you're hungry afterward, try the local specialty: piadina. These flat breads are filled with various ingredients and are available in almost every café.

Outdoor activities in Cesenatico

1. Porto Canale di Cesenatico in the old town

The heart of Cesenatico is the Porto Canale, designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The harbor is not only a historical landmark, but also a lively place where the city's social life takes place. Here you can, for example, stroll along the docks, enjoy the atmosphere of the old fishing village and admire the traditional sailing boats.

2. Santarcangelo di Romagna

This town has its roots in Roman times and offers a mix of history and modern flair. It is an ideal place for cycling tours and offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

3. Saline di Cervia

The salt flats of Cervia are the northernmost in Italy and extend over 827 hectares in a natural park. This is a great place for bird watching as well as nature walks.

4. Longiano and his castle

The medieval village of Longiano is surrounded by double walls and offers numerous historical and artistic testimonies. The Castle of Longiano, perched on a hill, is an ideal place for hiking and also offers wonderful views.

5. Montiano

Considered a natural balcony on the hills, this village is rich in flavors and ancient remains. It is a great place for hiking and offers breathtaking views of the sea.

Each of these activities offers an opportunity to experience the beauty and cultural heritage of the Cesenatico region. For more information and inspiration, visit, for example, the Komoot website.

The Cesenatico the bathing vacationer

We are in Cesenatico at the end of May, just before the Whitsun holidays. Therefore we have free choice on the beach. When we arrive in Cesenatico on Friday, the beach promenade is empty. Only now and then do I meet a walker or beach vacationer on my walk past the bagnos, the beach restaurants. These separate the sandy beach from the shore road.

Many hotels operate a bagno. We stay in one of these hotels. We stay in the Four-star Hotel Michelangelo Valverde*.This is a family hotel that is fully booked only on weekends. When we arrive there on Friday, there are few guests in the hotel. Therefore we have the pool, the restaurant and the rooms almost to ourselves. If you are looking for a quiet stay, you should arrive during the week - and not during the holiday season.

The Bagnos of Cesenatico

We visit one of the Bagnos to have an aperitivo. There we experience a surprise: Bagno operator Andrea and his wife. They both welcome us so warmly that we immediately feel at home.

Because it's Friday, the kitchen stays cold. Therefore, the Vino Sangiovese Superiore comes with antipasti from the region. Piadino, which our companion Alessandra describes as the “bread of the poor”. This is flatbread made from flour, salt and lard and tastes best warm. Either you eat this with ham, salami and cheese. Or you can fill it with ingredients to taste. We enjoyed the antipasti so much that we spent the whole evening at Andrea's and skipped eating at the hotel.

Regulars

Andrea tells us about one of his guests from Germany, who has been spending his holidays in Cesenatico for years and is one of his regular guests. “He always comes with his wife and only asks for antipasti. But he eats them in large quantities,” he laughs. "Then he goes out into the sea or onto a canoe, where he works off the calories again." The Bagnos offer beach holidaymakers an alternative to hotel food. They can also taste the specialties of the region and the hospitality of Emilia Romagna.

Cesenatico sights and tips

In addition to the beach life on Emilia Romagna Beach, there are sights in Cesenatico that are worth a visit. You shouldn't miss this one. They are located away from the beach promenade in the old town and on the harbor canal.

The Museo della Marineria at Porto Canale

At the Porto Canale, for example, you can admire the historic ships of the Maritime Museum. The Museo della Marineria in Cesenatico is a real highlight if you are interested in maritime history - inside you can marvel at historic boats and nautical instruments, while outside on the water there is even a floating exhibition waiting for you. What's particularly cool is that the colorful sails of the traditional fishing boats shine in the sun and tell stories from times gone by!

For cyclists: the Museo Marco Pantani

Cesenatico offers the Museo Marco Pantani, dedicated to the famous Italian cyclist. The museum displays his jerseys, trophies and even his first bicycle.

The Casa Moretti for literature lovers

For those interested in culture there is the Casa Moretti. This house was the birthplace of the writer Marino Moretti and now houses a literary museum. It is a lesser-known place but offers a special atmosphere.

The Church of San Giacomo

And for those interested in architecture, the Chiesa di San Giacomo is a must-see. This church is an example of Romanesque architecture and offers a quiet ambience for a few moments of reflection.

Attractions Cesenatico map

In Cesenatico, you should visit the port canal, designed by Leonardo da Vinci. On the shore you will find historic fishing boats that form the open-air maritime museum. It is also worth taking a walk to Piazza delle Conserve, where old ice cellars, the so-called "Conserve", can be visited. You can find more sights in Cesenatico on this map.

The old town of Cesenatico and the Cesenatico of yesteryear

The other side of Cesenatico is in the old town. The place where Leonardo da Vinci left his mark. It was the genius of the Renaissance who planned the port of Cesenatico. So that its shape protects it from silting up. Leonardo designed the harbor canal in 1502. It was intended to improve the harbor facility. On the canal are the Maritime Museum, the Antiquarium, Casa Moretti and the theater as well as the Piazza Pisacane with its monument by Giuseppe Garibaldi.

We walk along the canal towards the sea. We pass one restaurant after the other. Inside, the tables are already waiting for the lunch guests. Covered with tablecloths, rows of wine glasses, serviettes and floral decorations, they attract visitors. In between there is always a gelateria, in whose windows all kinds of ice cream are waiting for their buyers.

The old town is one of the sights of Cesenatico

However, we don't think about food in the morning. We want to take a closer look at the old town and follow the canal. Passing the sailing ships of the Maritime Museum, which have found their harbor here after being used in the Adriatic, we go to the sea. The closer we get to the water, the more intensely it smells of fish. On Sunday the fishermen's boats are in the harbour. Our noses immediately inform us of the function the boats are performing during the week.

We discover the fish market, above which the wind turns metal fish in circles on a wind chime. Although it's the weekend, trucks are parked in front of the warehouses. Fish are being loaded there.

In Piazza Ciceruacchio we can still see the perimeter of the Pretoria Tower. This once protected the harbor from pirate attacks. Near the lighthouse, the Da Vinci Gates keep the city safe during sea storms. Also worth seeing is the Piazzetta delle Conserve in the heart of the old town. This owes its name to the pits that were dug here in the dune sand. Fish were once stored there. It was kept fresh with ice and snow. The ice was collected in winter. Long before refrigerators were invented, it preserved food in the mines. Four of these cooling pits have now been restored and can be visited.

Questions and answers about Cesenatico

What water sports can you try in Cesenatico?

In Cesenatico you can try various water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddling and kayaking. There are numerous schools and rentals offering courses and equipment for beginners and advanced learners.

What are the must-see attractions in Cesenatico?

In Cesenatico there are several places of interest, such as the Maritime Museum, the picturesque Porto Canale, the Piazza delle Conserve and the Church of Saints James and Philip. The Porto Canale, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is particularly well known.

Which traditional dishes to try in Cesenatico?

The local cuisine of Cesenatico is known for its fresh seafood and fish dishes. Traditional dishes include brodetto di pesce, a fish soup, cappelletti al ragù di pesce, pasta stuffed with fish sauce, and sarde in saor, marinated sardines.

How to enjoy the beaches of Cesenatico?

The beaches of Cesenatico are ideal for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming. Most of the beaches are private and belong to bathing establishments that rent sun loungers and parasols. There are also some free beaches where you can stay without paying a fee.

What events are held in Cesenatico each year?

Cesenatico hosts several events throughout the year, such as the International Sailing Regatta, the Fish Festival “Azzurro come il Pesce”, the Wine Festival “Calici di Stelle” and the Christmas crib on the water where historic boats are festively decorated.

Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

Arrival by plane or train

Compare and book flights here*. (Advertisement) Lufthansa and Air Dolomiti fly to Bologna. Tina Kainz has Tips for a stay in BolognaThis is the perfect way to extend your trip. You can then rent a car here for your onward journey.

Car Rentals:

Cheap rental cars – book here!

Hotels in Cesenatico:

Hotels in Cesenatico * you can book for example under this link.

If you book via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

Camping:

One campsite is the Cesenatico Camping Village, Viale Giuseppe Mazzini, 182, 47042 Cesenatico FC, Italy. You can rent a motorhome here. Or would you rather stay in a roof tent on the car? Also, the overnight stay in camping tents is possible. With our motorhome packing list you'll never forget anything again. 

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For example, Judith Weibrecht gives tips for active vacationers between Cesena, Cesenatico and Faenza:
Emilia Romagna by bike - From bike to tide
Visit one of the Fossas in the hinterland:
Where can you find regional cheese specialties?
Gudrun Krinzinger also has tips for connoisseurs:
Tips for Cesenatico
A trip tip from Cesenatico for music lovers
Elvis lives in Emilia Romagna!
If you like wine, you should remember this tip:
Wines grow in Emilia Romagna
Antje Gerstenecker from mee(h)rerleben also reports on Cesenatico:
Cesenatico - Why the port city is worth a visit
Where is the best place to experience the "Dolce far niente"?
The gastronomy of Cesenatico

More things to know

• Discover Trieste: Relaxed journey through history and enjoyment
• Munich bike tours for beginners - Interview with Elke Homburg

Slow Travel Destinations you can find it here, for example. Discover Cities in Italy also here.

Source: On-site research. We would like to thank the Cesenatico Bella Vita Union in cooperation with 21 Grammy. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline