10 Best Family Things to Do in Rimini

Cycling routes are great for the whole family combining exercise with the opportunity to discover nature, landmarks and urban landscapes. Want to do some pedalling during your beach holiday? Rimini has a cycle path network, and you can choose the most suitable route and distance for children. One of the best routes for families runs along the seafront and reaches Porto Verde, through Riccione and Misano. It's 17 km, plus the return journey, but you can turn back whenever you like. You can also follow the coast north, where the cycleway reaches Cervia. Rather stay in the city? There's a 15 km circular route in Rimini's centre, almost half of which is through public parks. Just be careful with some of the pedestrian crossings.

Boabay floating waterpark offers water inflatables that kids will love. In summer, a huge platform is set up on the sea in front of beaches 47-62 in Rimini. It includes slides, tunnels, climbing walls, agility courses and trampolines. It's about 100 metres from the beach but can be easily reached by splashing through the water or via the walkways. Boabay provides fun for the whole family, with an area for small children as well as numerous challenges for grown-ups. It's one of the world’s biggest floating parks, and the sections form the word ‘Rimini’, which according to locals, is visible from space. This might be an exaggeration, but one thing's for sure: With all the climbing and plunging, you're guaranteed plenty of adrenaline and laughs.

Europa in Miniatura is a theme park in Rimini featuring over 30 models of European landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Neuschwanstein Castle, and the Acropolis. The park also has scaled-down replicas of some of Italy's most iconic landmarks, such as the Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Canale Grande in Venice.

Kids can enjoy boat rides, puppet shows and a miniature train that circles the park. There's also an educational element to the park, with information on each of the European countries represented. We recommend buying your tickets online to avoid long queuing.

Want your kids to experience the world of cartoons and visual adventures? For a few days every July, Piazzale Federico Fellini hosts Riminicomix, a large comics and games exhibition. In a packed programme of meet-and-greets and events, you can get to know characters that bring this fantastical and outlandish universe to life. 

There are film screenings and stands selling books, costumes, action figures and merchandise. One of the most appealing attractions for kids are the Cosplay Convention participants: people dressing up as famous characters and copying their mannerisms. The area’s abuzz with characters from sagas, manga, comics, animations and action films. Amazing, right? Take a photo with Spiderman or Lara Croft, or of your kids with all the Avengers.

When you hear the call of rides and adventures, it's time to head to Fiabilandia. Children can plunge into colourful ball pits, take a ride on the little train, visit the Native American camp or experience an adrenaline rush on the different roller coasters: the rotating cars of Spacemouse, the floating logs of Castoria or the mining wagons of Miniera d’Oro (Gold Mine). Prefer water rides or entertainment? Experience the 4D cinema, circus acrobatics or laser show. Small children can explore the Valle degli gnomi (Valley of Gnomes) on a giant caterpillar or take a cruise across the pond aboard an unusual vessel that resembles a steamboat. Want to know how to get to the park? It's in Rivazzurra and is reachable by bus and trolleybus from Rimini's centre and station.

The views and scenery from the medieval centre and Fortress of San Leo, less than 40 km from Rimini, provide an educational and enjoyable outing for all the family. On the road in, you’ll find yourself right in front of the spectacular stronghold built on a rock formation. This enormous mass of limestone was transported from the waters and currents of the Tyrrhenian Sea millions of years ago, and so has crossed almost all of central Italy. Kids will be enchanted by this military fortress teetering on the cliff edge. The village is home to other exciting landmarks, like the Duomo (Cathedral), Pieve (Parish Church) and viewpoints for admiring the surrounding land, perfect for group photos with stunning backgrounds.

An underground adventure awaits in Grotte di Onferno (Onferno Caves), about 40 minutes by car from Rimini's centre. They used to say the door to hell lay here, due to the smoke emanating from the rocks, especially in winter. Now we know it’s because of the temperature difference between the subsoil and above ground. Inside the caves, it’s about 12° C year-round. This change is notable in summer, so bring a light, preferably waterproof jacket. Hiking boots or footwear with good grip are recommended. There are 400 metres of caves, with many different-sized areas. The ceiling of the Sala Quirina (Quirina Room) is covered with mamelons, huge conical chalk protrusions. They’re considered the most spectacular in Europe due to the size and number of them.

Interregional Sasso Simone and Simoncello Park is ideal for trekking and discovering nature reserves. Lose yourself in a place south of Rimini with fascinating geological origins. Between Romagna, Marche and Tuscany is landscape marked by 2 enormous calcareous blocks: Sasso Simone and Simoncello. Formed millions of years ago in present-day Liguria, they gradually ‘slid’ into their current position. Prefer travelling on foot, bike or horse? Take the most suitable means of transport for your family along the paths. Within the park, you'll spot the old road that led to Città del Sole (City of the Sun), Cosimo de Medici's vision to build a residential area on Sasso Simone’s summit. He abandoned the project when faced with the location's gruelling conditions and the difficulty in reaching it, but traces remain among the vegetation.

Rimini's Museo Aviazione is a must-see for families interested in flight or aerospace engineering. The outdoor museum has a fantastic collection of over 40 aircraft, including military planes and helicopters. You can also see engine parts, propellers, and other aviation memorabilia.

The museum's highlight is the chance to sit in the cockpit of a real fighter plane. Kids will love this unique experience, and it's sure to ignite their imagination. The museum also counts with a picnic area and a children's playground. You can find the museum on the highway between Rimini and San Marino.

Skypark Adventure Park will be enjoyed by the Rambo in your family. Skypark sits atop Montefeltro,, about 35 km from Rimini. Here you can venture through tree trails, skateboard on steel cables, practise archery, try Tarzan's creeper jump, ascend climbing walls, launch yourself down controlled descents or brave the Sky Jump freefall. The activities are organised in order of difficulty: the easiest are suitable for 4-year-olds, and you have to be at least 12 for the most difficult. The park ensures activities are carried out safely using harnesses, double snap hooks and fail-safe systems. Small children are hooked to a lifeline that isn't detached at any point during the trail, and staff will provide assistance to anyone where needed.