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 doing nothing, sleeping in, soaking up the sun and looking to cool off in the sea from time to time. At least in my imagination! However, when I hear the name of this town on the Adriatic coast, I also think of thousands of parasols and sun loungers Sandy beach, where holiday guests can relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Relax on the Emilia Romagna beach
Idle on Beach Lying isn't usually our way of vacationing. That's why we've avoided this part of the Adriatic like the devil avoids holy water. A mistake, as it turned out. There is a lot to do and discover in and around Cesenatico that makes a holiday in Emilia Romagna eventful.
The Cesenatico the bathing vacationer
Admittedly, the parasols and sun loungers on the sandy beach are still there today. We are here at the end of May, just before the Pentecost holidays. Therefore we have free choice. When we arrive in Cesenatico on Friday, the promenade is empty. Only now and then do I meet a walker or bather 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 Four-star Hotel Michelangelo Valverde*. This is a family hotel that is only almost fully booked at the weekend. When we get there on Friday, there are few guests in the hotel. Therefore we have the pool, the restaurant and the premises almost to ourselves. If you are looking for a quiet stay, you should arrive during the week rather than during the holiday season.
The Bagnos of Cesenatico
We visit one of the bagnos to have an aperitivo there. There we experience a surprise: Bagno operator Andrea and his wife. The two give us a warm welcome that we immediately feel at home.
Because it's Friday, the kitchen stays cold. That's why there are antipasti from the region with the Vino Sangiovese Superiore. Piadino, which our companion Alessandra calls "the bread of the poor". This is flatbread made from flour, salt and lard that tastes best warm. Either you eat this with ham, salami and cheese. Or you can fill it with ingredients of your choice. We liked the antipasti so much that we spent the evening at Andrea's and decided not to eat 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 get to know the specialties of the region and the hospitality of Emilia Romagna.
Cesenatico Sights
In addition to the beach life at Emilia Romagna Beach, there are things to see in Cesenatico. Don't miss this one. They are located away from the beach promenade in the old town and on the harbor canal.
The Cesenatico of yore
There is the other side of Cesenatico. The place where Leonardo da Vinci left his mark. It was the genius of the Renaissance who planned the port of Cesenatico. In such a way that its shape protects it from silting up. Leonardo designed the port canal in 1502. It was intended to improve the port facilities. The canal is now in Cesenatico's old town. Along the canal are the Maritime Museum, the Antiquarium, Casa Moretti and the theater as well as Piazza Pisacane with its monument to 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
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.
Excursions around Cesenatico
- In Sogliano al Rubicone you can learn how to Fossa cheese manufactures. This is a cheese specialty that only exists in this region.
- There is also a museum dedicated to music. in the Palazzo della Cultura from Sogliano al Rubicone, Elvis, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson make an appearance.
- Visit one of the Wineries of Emilia Romagna and taste the wines of the region.
Travel Arrangements:
Arrival by plane or train
Lufthansa and Air Dolomiti fly to Bologna. Book your flight here.* You can travel to Cesena by train: Timetable and booking*.
Car Rentals:
Cheap rental cars – book here!
Hotels in Cesenatico:
Hotels in Cesenatico * you can book at this link.
Camping in Cesenatico:
One campsite is the Cesenatico Camping Village, Viale Giuseppe Mazzini, 182, 47042 Cesenatico FC, Italy. A Rent a motorhome you can here. Or would you rather stay in one roof tent on the car? With our Motorhome packing list You'll never forget anything again.
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 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 reports:
Cesenatico - Why the port city is worth a visit
Where is the best place to experience the "Dolce far niente"?
The gastronomy of Cesenatico
Slow Travel Destinations you find here. discover Cities in Italy here.
Source: On-site research. We thank the Cesenatico Bella Vita Union in cooperation with 21 Grammy.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs
