Cesenatico has been a very popular vacation spot for decades, and its beaches get swarmed with tourists during July and August. I prefer the shoulder seasons when you can enjoy quiet walks along the beaches, the canals, through tree-lined avenues and the charming old town. At that time you can easily find parking, hotels and restaurant reservations. In December there are additional installations and illuminations organized by the Maritime Museum on its floating section of the canal: extraordinary and definitely worth seeing!

 

 

The very picturesque Porto Canale Leonardesco, supposedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is always beautiful for a stroll and lined with bars and restaurants on both sides. It is a pedestrian zone and the heart of Cesenatico, loved by locals and visitors alike. Another highlight are the traditional trebuchets for catching fish on the pier.

 

The biggest draw for me are the numerous seafood restaurants in and near town. The quality of the food is high, and prices are lower than in other seaside destinations around the country.

 

Fun fact: in 1958 the 35 story "Marinella 2" high-rise building was one of the tallest in the world. It still is a landmark of Cesenatico and can be seen from afar. 

 

Eat:

Maré, where the beach and the pier meet. Café, bar, restaurant, small shop, events, stunning sunsets.
La Buca Ristorante (1* Michelin). Refined seafood, calm, contemporary setting inside, very romantic outside, when tables are set up along the Porto Canale Leonardesco.
Ristorante Onda Blu in San Mauro a Mare. Not in Cesenatico, but on the beach and my favorite place for seafood, 8 km south.
Locanda dei Salinari, Cervia. A traditional small restaurant, fish, seafood, pasta, several meat dishes as well, 8 km north.

 

Do:

Walk along the Porto Canale Leonardesco, admire colorful houses and old fishing boats, or the trebuchets on the pier.
Take a passenger ferry across the canal (2minutes). It’s fun and inexpensive (50 cent pp/one way).

Visit the Museo della Marineria, The Maritime Museum, including its floating section of historical sailboats in the Porto Canale Leonardesco between the 2 bridges: www.museomarineria.eu.
Visit the Spazio Pantani museum dedicated to former bike champion Marco Pantani: www.pantani.it.

Enjoy relaxing beach walks, or rent a bicycle for rides near the beach.
Visit the lovely old town of Cervia and its canal, 8 km north.
For more in-depth information on cultural events throughout the year please consult the homepage of the visitor center: www.visitcesenantico.it.