It seems everyone’s headed to Italy’s Amalfi Coast this year, and that’s fair enough: the scenic coastal drives, the lemon sorbet served in actual lemon shells, and the picture-perfect riviera towns hugged by azure seas… it’s no wonder some say this is heaven on earth.
Paradise doesn’t come cheap, though:
With an average overnight rate of a whopping $345, based on Budget Your Trip estimates, not to mention the restaurant prices, it’s definitely not somewhere you go if you’re, you know, on a more modest budget.
La dolce vita doesn’t come cheap, be it high or low season, but not all of Italy is as expensive as Amalfi:
Lining the Adriatic Sea, the Riviera Romagnola has its own triad of world-class beach destinations without the Amalfi-Sorrento-Positano crowds, nor their jaw-dropping rates, and guess what, they’re even cheaper to visit in the fall:
Rimini
The jewel of the Emilia-Romagna region, which the Riviera Romagnola itself is named after, Rimini is widely known among Italians, and Italians only, it seems, as the cheaper alternative to the Amalfi Coast hotspots.
It’s popular for its trendy beach clubs, locally known as bagni. They offer a wide range of amenities, running along a sandy shoreline for a whole 9 miles, but other than the sun-soaked coast, Rimini oozes historic charm:
Its Arch of Augustus is a Roman-built triumphal arch, and the oldest surviving one at that, built in the year 27 BC, and only a few steps away, the stone-built Tiberius Bridge has spanned the Marecchia River since Ancient Times.
Whether you’re here for some quality beach time or for sightseeing, a weekend stay in Rimini will hardly break the bank: dining out in casual restaurants will set you back $17–22 for a simple meal, while overnight rates in 3-star hotels in the off-season, from September, start from only $43 for 2 adults.
Cattolica
Rimini’s much-smaller, even more offbeat sister, Cattolica, is sometimes referred to as the Queen of the Adriatic—sorry, Dubrovnik—owing to its scenic beachfront, where light-golden sands meet warm, shallow seas, cultural appeal, and rich gastronomy.
Other than catching a tan under the Romagnoli sun, two of the best things to do in Cattolica are exploring the ancient port, established by the Romans back in Ancient Times, and sampling the delicious local food.
Several Old Town trattorie serve regional delicacies and wine, like strozzapreti pasta and sangiovese red, with two of the top eateries being Taverna A Pesci in Faccia, right on Via Dante, one of the main streets, and Gente di Mare, a bit on the pricier end, but absolutely worth it for the Adriatic views.
Even if you’re treating yourself to a nice dinner here and there, and a round of limoncelli in one of those fancy bagni, it won’t bleed your wallet dry: the average bill in Cattolica is $18–20 per person, rising to $55 for a three-course meal, paired with a bottle of wine in an upscale restaurant.
As for hotels, how does shelling out $43 a night, or $22.50 per person, sound to you?
Riccione
Now, if you don’t exactly care for Old World allure, and you’re merely looking for some quality beach time and sun-soaked adventures, Riccione is where you should be headed.
One of the busiest coastal resorts on the Adriatic, it boasts an extensive stretch of golden sand dotted with umbrellas and sunbeds, beach clubs serving refreshing cocktails and freshly-caught seafood all day long, and a riotous nightlife.
Think St Tropez, but not as dressy, or perhaps Ibiza, except it’s not an island, and instead of drunken Brits and Germans and overpriced drinks, you get local crowds and reasonable prices. How does $5.50 for a cheeky Aperol Spritz sound to you?
Other than beach-clubbing, you’re welcome to stroll up the elegant Viale Ceccarini, lined with locally owned gelato shops and cafes, and if you can’t stay away from the water, you’ll be thrilled to know Riccione lays claim to one of Italy’s biggest water parks.
Aquafan has epic slides, including the massive M280, a tunneled 20-meter drop with light effects, wave pools, and relaxation areas, all of this for around $33.73 per adult.
Oh, of course, if you’re looking for a place to stay, check out Hotel Annalisa. Great breakfast spread, private beach access, within walking distance of the main street, and only $56-a-night for 2 adults.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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