On the picturesque coast of the Adriatic Sea, right on the border of the Riviera Romagnola and the Marche region, the charming Italian resort town of Cattolica is comfortably located.
Back in the XIX century. This place was chosen for recreation by many famous personalities, among whom was even Napoleon Bonaparte's brother Lucien Bonaparte. Since then, the resort has not only not lost its tourist attractiveness, but significantly increased it.
How to get to Cattolica in Italy
If you fly to Italy by plane, and Cattolica is the final destination, Rimini would be the best destination for your arrival in the country. Find the right flight tickets to Rimini in the form below.
Rimini Cattolica Airport is just over 20 km away. The message is excellent: buses run, trains run, you can take a taxi or a car, as well as book a transfer in advance.
The most convenient way to get to Cattolica from Rimini is by rail
Trains run from Rimini to the S. Giovvani-Gabicce stop in Cattolica from 5:45 a.m. (as of July 2018) until 10:36 p.m. They go often - on average, twice an hour. The cheapest ticket for a Regionale class train (a local version of low-cost electric trains) will cost you 4 euros. Travel time is from 18 minutes, depending on the particular train and departure station, and there are three of them in Rimini. Tickets can be pre-purchased online.
If you are not financially constrained and prefer comfort, or traveling with young children, it makes sense to book a transfer. The cost of delivery from Rimini airport to the designated accommodation in Cattolica is from 70 euros (2018). You can place an order at this link.
Finally, if you rented a car in Rimini, take the A14-Autostrada Adriatica and in 15-17 minutes you will be there. Cars are best kept in the parking lot at the hotel. If you suddenly encounter any difficulties, there are free parking lots at piazza Antonio De Curtis and piazza delle Nazioni.
Hotels
If you are planning a vacation in Cattolica for the first time and you have sufficient means to ensure that everything is at the highest level, you may be slightly discouraged by the absence of five-star hotels in the resort. They really are not. Absolutely.
Immediately reassure you, here it is not a low "ceiling" of the quality of service. The fact is that Italy has a very confusing (in the opinion of a foreigner) system of star rating of hotels, which is also decentralized. That is, the status of hotels is determined at the level of regions, of which there are as many as 20 in Italy, and the evaluation criteria vary greatly.
Most 4-star Cattolica hotels are located along the coast.
As for 4-star hotels, there are a lot of them on the Cattolica coast: Waldorf Palace, Park Hotel, Cormoran, Luxor Beach and many others. Many are located right by the sea and have their own beaches.
There are even more 3-star hotels in Cattolica that can be as good as 4-star hotels in terms of service, but only a little further from the sea. But this is not an “iron” rule - many 3-star hotels are located on the very shore and even have their own beaches.
3-star hotels are not inferior to 4 stars in terms of comfort
The 3-star Cattolica hotels are also quite affordable in terms of cost. It is they who are bought up in the high season, like hot cakes, so it is advisable to reserve a room in advance. You can always do this using the link below.
Beach vacation
In terms of beach holidays, Cattolica in Italy is objectively considered one of the best resorts. For the seventh consecutive year, a two-kilometer-long sandy beach has consistently received the Blue Flag for cleanliness, while Italians themselves have long called Cattolica the “Queen of the Adriatic Sea”.
The coast is divided into sections, each of which has its own number and unique name. All of them are perfectly equipped for an exciting sea holiday for adults and children. Vacationers can rent boats and catamarans, play billiards and table tennis, and work out in the open-air fitness. From early morning until late at night, numerous cafes, bars and restaurants are located all over the coast.
The beaches in Cattolica are sandy, perfect for a vacation with the whole family
If you plan to relax in Cattolica with children, pay attention to sections of the beach No. 85 (Bagno Voulpen), No. 9-10-11 (Regina Beach) and No. 96 (Via Santa Chiara). They officially position themselves as beaches for families with an emphasis on working with children - babysitters, animators work here, fascinating children's disco parties are held.
Cattolica for children
In general, I must say that Cattolica is perhaps the most "children's" seaside resort in Italy. In any case, the number of activities for toddlers and adolescents in high season suggests that the children here are the main guests.
Children in Cattolica are always welcome. Many hotels have their own playrooms.
From mid-June, the Piazza del Mercato begins to operate a large-scale Mercatino playground with a variety of fun, toys and treats. Piazza della Rosa dei Venti often hosts circus shows. Something similar can be seen in the port of Nuova Darsena.
The whole range of entertainment, educational and developmental events for children and adolescents under 18 is offered by the local Mary Poppins Summer Center every season. Here, training courses on various topics, and tennis lessons, and horseback riding, and much more.
Kitchen
Italian cuisine is amazing in itself, but as for Cattolica, even sophisticated gourmets will receive satisfaction here.
The surrounding area produces first-class wine, honey and olive oil. You can try all this in local restaurants, along with many options for fresh seafood with rich Mediterranean herbs. Do not forget to try the traditional piadina romagnola. This is a delicious tortilla with cheese and dried prosciutto ham.
Piadina Romagnola - a traditional tortilla on the table of the Cattolikans
If you are lucky enough to get to Cattolica in Italy at a certain time, you can taste the dishes that are prepared here only once a year. For Christmas - sweet Miacetta from dried fruits, honey, bran, flour, raisins and a list of other toppings; in Carnival - Ciaramine - another sweet that was invented here; at Easter - a more “ascetic" pagnotta - an authentic local bun.
Well, if you are a true foodie, then in Cattolica in Italy you can walk along any of the well-known Food & Wine routes and taste wine and dishes at local wineries and farms, so to speak, "from the land itself."
Attractions Cattoliki
If you compare with the rest of Italy, the sights of Cattolica, of course, will be much more modest, but something still worth seeing, thereby diversifying the rest.
One of the most ancient and majestic sights in the city of Cattolica is considered church of sant apollinare. The original building was erected as early as the 13th century, and the church acquired its present appearance at the end of the 18th century.
A very popular attraction for tourists is Malatesta tower. It was built in 1491, and for many years it served as an observation post for the early detection of approaching pirates, the ubiquitous Turks in those centuries, and even illegal trade.
An unforgettable experience will give you interior decoration Galleries Santa Croce in the building of the church built in the XVI century. It is located near Royal Museum (former Pilgrim Hospital).
Church in honor of the patron saint of Pius V
It will also be worth visiting churchnamed after the patron saint of Cattolica - Pia v.
Well, since you got into the city, admire City Hall. Despite the “infantile” age by Italian standards (1914 building), this neo-Renaissance building impresses with its graceful mosaics and decorative patterns.
The building of the city hall is decorated with a complex of elegant fountains
But, despite all the historical value of the samples of ancient architecture, the main attraction of Cattolica is still ultramodern. It's about absolutely amazing Aquarium (yes, with a capital letter) "Le navi", where real sharks swim.
Clubs, discos
The summer season in Cattolica in Italy is also a fun spirit of the resort’s nightlife. Along the coast, with the advent of darkness, lights are lit, and each of them is a disco pub, lounge cafe, compact night club or disco. Zebra Square, Dejà Vue on via Carducci is very popular.
If you decide to arrange a real holiday before morning, feel free to go to Bikini Beach Cafè near Le Navi Park or Malindi Beach Cafè closer to the Conca River. A real drive can be expected at the Gat de Port club, especially during happy hours, when you can order alcohol at a significant discount. Well, if you want to spend time in a more sophisticated atmosphere - visit the Jazz Club and enjoy the "non-mainstream" music.
Holiday Notte Rosa
Resorts throughout the Riviera Romagnola often host a variety of holidays and festivals. Every year, in the middle of summer, the La Notte Rosa (Pink Night) holiday is organized - one of the most striking, noisy and dynamic events on the entire Riviera coast. Each resort town these days is trying to "get off to the fullest", and Cattolica is always on top in this regard.
Concerts, vibrant theatrical performances, dance events, haute couture shows and a ton of impressive and unforgettable experiences will bring La Notte Rosa to you.
Other interesting articles:
- 5 most popular excursions from Rimini
- Sights of Rimini: what to see in the city and the surrounding area
- Riccione: the green pearl of the Adriatic
- Parma city in Italy: attractions, history, how to get
- Ravenna: attractions of the capital of mosaics
