5 Best Things to Do in Cesena, Italy

1. Explore the Old Town

I always like starting with an aimless wander around any new town I visit. Even if you're visiting Cesena quickly and only have time for one thing, I'd make it this.

Personally, walking around is a lot of fun and the best way to get to know somewhere new. You'll get to know the vibe, the architecture, and a piece of the history simply by ambling about. We ended up arriving far later than we planned but were shocked at just how many people were still out and about at midnight on a Tuesday.

From our first glance we could tell that Cesena wasn't the typical small town we had made it out to be.

Lucky for you, it;s also really beautiful and while small, it's bigger than I thought it'd be. I assumed there would be just one piazza and one main street but there's a little bit more to see than just that.

Take yourself on a short walking tour and be sure to see:

• Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi: This is the main street in Cesena and one you'll inevitably walk down. If you're looking at where to go Cesena, this street is a good starting point to explore the small alleyways.
• Corso Gastone Sozzi: This is a side street that connects to Garibaldi (mentioned above). This is a good shopping street where you'll find a mix of local stores and chains.
• Vicolo Tavernelle: This is a small alleyway but home to great restaurants and a nice vibe. From this small alleyway, you can curve onto a few others that take you to a few sneaky spots in Cesena you might have otherwise overlooked.
• Piazza del Popolo: This is the main square of Cesena. At least during our visit, in the mornings this was converted into a local market but by mid-day the stands were removed and became a wide open scenic square. For the best view, walk up the ramp through the city walls to enjoy the Masini Fountain with the colorful buildings as a backdrop.
• Piazza Giovanni Amendola: This small piazza is just next to Piazza del Popolo. While Popolo is obviously the most impressive square, this small one is best for restaurants and bars. It gets really lively in the evening and is the perfect place to grab a drink or a bite to eat and people watch.

‍

2. Catch a Concert at Rocca Malatestiana

This is a historical fortress that now doubles as a museum and concert venue. Unless you're Italian, it's not everyday you get to enjoy a concert inside a fortress.

Apparently it's a known venue and attracts pretty big names in the summer. It's worth keeping your eye out if this sounds like the perfect excuse to visit Cesena. Here's a list of their upcoming shows to see if something sounds fun.

Unfortunately I can't speak directly on what the venue was like because our show was cancelled at the last minute. The band made it clear that it was on them, not the venue so you can rest easy there.

Even though we didn't get to enjoy this, I'm hoping you'll be able to!

‍

3. Dig Into Their Cuisine with a Twist

The food in the Emilia Romagna region is incredible. It's more decadent and heavier than the rest of Italy (except probably Naples) and is home to the heavy hitters of lasagne, tagliatelle al ragù, and tortellini.

Although Bologna's food scene is world renown, Cesena does a great job holding its own in the shadows.

When we visited Cesena we thought the food scene would be comparable to other small towns in the region like Carpi and Reggio Emilia. We imagined eating much of the same we had in Bologna and Modena, with maybe a few seafood variations weaseled in given the proximity to the coast.

We weren't expecting what we really got: Emilia Romagna classics with a Cesena twist.

If you've been to Italy before you might realize how unique this is. One of the pillars of Italy's culture is tradition and nowhere can you see that tradition reign more than in the food. It's rare to see variations of the classics because as most Italians have told us, "You don't mess with perfection."

Cesena didn't seem to get the memo. Or if they did, they ignored it.

Here we tried fried lasagna, pasatelli di cacio e pepe, and a gelato taco. While I'm not suggesting you go chase down these exact dishes (although they were delicious), I'm suggesting you try the unique combos or twists on classics that you won't see elsewhere.

Once we noticed this, we started to look around a bit closer at the people living and working in Cesena. We realized how young and alternative the crowd seemed to be. People covered in tattoos, old women with blue hair, and dogs with dreadlocks. It was like we stepped into a mini universe of its own making and we loved it.

Bologna is known as the liberal capital of Italy so it's not super surprising that this town would be nearby but while we did expect scenes like this from the city, we were pleasantly surprised by it here.

‍

4. Bike the Grand Tour Valle del Savio

This is something else we weren't able to try out first hand but after stumbling across a sign in the center of town promoting it, I thought it sounded like a cool idea.

Cesena and the area around town is pretty flat. You have the coast on one end and the mountains farther south towards San Marino but in your close proximity, it's flat farm land with fields and fields of sunflowers.

Aka an easy place for a long bike ride. Although, to be fair the route is long so I can't say with 100% confidence that the terrain stays flat the farther from Cesena you go.

According to the sign, the Grand Tour Valle del Savio is a 172 kilometer route that stretches through the valley. You can complete the entire loop in stages or hop on the trail for just a portion as it cuts right through Cesena.

Here's more information about the bike tour, with Cesena recommended as the first stop.

‍

5. Take a Day Trip

Although we enjoyed our 3 nights in Cesena simply enjoying the sights and the food, you're on a train line here that'll take you to a few interesting day trips. If you have a car, there are even more options to consider.

Here's a few ideas for you to choose from.

Rimini

If you're interested in visiting the coast, Rimini is the easiest option. You can take a train and arrive between the coast and the old town in just 20 minutes. Just know the beach here gets crowded in the summer and I personally think the old town in Cesena is more charming, although Rimini is certainly bigger.

Ravenna

This day trip is easier if you have a car as driving takes significantly less time. Ravenna is home to 8 UNESCO churches famed for their intricate mosaics. They really are a sight to behold, even for someone who isn't religious. The churches are from the years 500-600 and really are works of art.

San Marino

Just an hour away by car, you can visit another country from Cesena. San Marino is tucked just west of Rimini and an easy day trip idea. While we considered it, we decided not to drive so far since we didn't have a full day to devote to the getaway. If you have the time, I'd consider going for it.

Bologna

Accessible by train in just about 40 minutes, you can visit the capital of Emilia Romagna, Bologna. Although I recommend spending more time in Bologna than just a few hours, if that's all you have to spare, I'd take it. This is although the best route for those that don't like big cities and just want a small dose of one. Here's a full travel guide to Bologna to help make planning easy.

‍

Cesena Travel Tips

If you're planning a little getaway to Cesena, there are a few more things to keep in mind that'll make your trip go extra smooth.

Best Time to Visit

Just like the rest of the region, Cesena gets 4 true seasons so you'll want to plan and pack accordingly. Summer is the busiest month, with the concert series bringing in out of towners but know it also gets really hot and humid here.

Where to Stay

Per usual, I recommend staying anywhere in the city center. Note that the train station is about a 20-minute walk from the old town but unless you plan on taking a lot of day trips, I'd opt for the old town instead of the area around the station.

Consider booking your stay at:

• Budget Stay: Terra Cielo alloggio di Porta Santi: There are a few affordable rooms to choose from at this property. Ideal for those that just need the basics covered.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Scalino 66 Suite del Teatro: This is where we stayed in Cesena and really loved it. You're centrally located and your entrance is right next to a delicious gelato spot (need you more motivation?). It was perfect for us since we needed to work while we were here.
• Luxury Stay: Casa ISEI: For those searching for more space and a bright space, this one-bedroom apartment is a great place to stay.

Where to Park

Ok, I know this might seem like a strange section to include but hear me out. Parking in Italy can sometimes be a mess, especially when you're trying to park somewhere as central as possible. Oftentimes city centers are pedestrian only or ZTL (meaning you need a pass to drive there), making it hard for tourists to navigate the roads.

While outside of the center you can usually find free parking, near or in the centers you'll have to pay.

Of course you can just drive around and look for street parking or you can park at one of their automated underground parking lots.

There are 2 automated parking lots in the center of Cesena. They're both right beside each other and share the same entrance. They cost €2 but a max of €4 a day. This makes it the most affordable parking in the city.

It's a bit weird but you have to drive your car into the glass box and send it underground. Be sure to get all people and needed belongings out because the only way to get access to your car again is by taking it out the lot. Note that you won't get a ticket or anything but will need the same credit or debit card to get it out of the lot.

Welcome to the future!

‍

Enjoy All the Best Things to Do in Cesena

Enjoy good food, local wine, and a lively vibe on your trip to Cesena. This unsuspecting gem boasts a lot more than what I was expecting when we first booked our trip here. 

If you're more interested in small towns than big cities, visiting Cesena is a great way to enjoy Emilia Romagna without the chaos Bologna and Rimini bring.