Cesenatico is a unique seaside town on the Adriatic coast with about 20.000 inhabitants, located in the province of Forlì-Cesena, halfway between Rimini and Ravenna and less than 2 hours from Bologna. It dates back to 14th century when the town of Cesena, located about 15 kn inland, needed access to the sea for their mercantile activites. The port and harbor canal is called the Porto Canale Leonardesco, after Leonardo da Vinci, due to the fact that he was requested to survey the construction of the inner part of the port.
The colorful traditional boats and the many restaurants and coffee shops lining the canal makes it a perfect place for spending a day relaxing and simply enjoying the atmosphere in a maritime setting. You can cross the canals on a traghetto and walk down to the molos or spend time on the soft sandy beaches on a hot day.
The many restaurants along the canal are supplied daily with fresh fish. The Cesenatico cuisine is based on centuries-old seafaring traditions and the town is one of the best in Italy for eating seafood dishes.
Museo della Marineria, the Marine Museum, has a “land section” and a “floating section” (see top of page). The museum was created to recall and illustrate Cesenatico’s historical identity.
At Piazzetta delle Conserve you will find the big well used for storing foods and if you visit the little piazza in the morning there is usually a market for fruits and vegetables.
Cesenatico is even more enchanting at night when the lights come on, reflecting in the calm waters of the canal.