Are you planning to visit the Romagna coast and go cycling? Follow our advice and head for the hills – here are 9 villages near Rimini shouldn’t be missed, perfect to be visited over the course of one (or more) bike trips!
There are few Italian regions as bike friendly as Emilia-Romagna, and the countryside around Rimini is probably one of the best cycling destinations in the entire country – that’s why it was chosen as a location for the 2024 Tour de France Grand Depart.
You’ll find pretty much everything bicycle-loving tourists need – bike-friendly hotels like Oxygen in Rimini and Lungomare in Cesenatico, tasty, carb-rich local cuisine, and a varied landscape, including opportunities for long, flat rides along the Adriatic coast, and hilly outings that may also include some really challenging climbs.
Now, I won’t try and sell it as a “hidden gem” – Romagna is a very well known cycling destination, especially for bike tourists from northern and central Europe, who often visit in the spring and autumn months to escape the summer heat.
However, if you move away from the coast and the busier hotspots, there are plenty of opportunities to ride along quiet roads, climbing up to villages where tourists are few and far between. We’ll tell you about 8 villages we really love near Rimini, all easy to reach by bike.
But first, let us tell you about a really amazing itinerary!
Via Romagna
Via Romagna is a permanent cycle route stretching 462 km from the north to the south of Romagna, from Comacchio in the Po Delta to San Giovanni in Marignano, close to the southern border with Marche.
It’s not a dedicated cycleway, like Ciclovia del Sole for example – it’s an itinerary developed along existing secondary roads and country gravel tracks, away from the traffic and busy cities.
It doesn’t follow a straight line from north to south, instead it develops in loops and swirls from the coast to the hills, then back towards the Adriatic, and then into the Apennines again, via hilltop towns, vineyards, fortresses, mountain climbs and scenic coastal paths.
Just look at the map on the official site to know what I mean.
On the Via Romagna site you’ll also find three itineraries, ranging in duration from 6 to 10 days – perfect if you want a true challenge, a leisurely bike holiday, or something in between. The first of our selection of 8 villages near Rimini is located on the Via Romagna, and it’s really worth visiting!
Best Villages near Rimini
1) Verucchio
Verucchio is one of the oldest villages and most fascinating stops along the Via Romagna. It is renowned for its rich Etruscan heritage as well as its impressive medieval fortress, the Rocca Malatestiana, built by the powerful Malatesta family in the 15th century.
The town is set on a hill with spectacular views over the Marecchia Valley, and offers visitors an interesting blend of archaeology, history, and natural beauty. History lovers also shouldn’t miss the Archaeological Museum, which displays remarkable artefacts from Italy’s first Iron Age population, the Villanovans.
It’s an easy 20 km bike ride from Rimini to Verucchio, including a final climb. You can ride via Santarcangelo, described below, or via Villa Verucchio – the second option is a tougher climb, where the 2026 EMCC time-trial competition took place!
- Don’t miss: the Rocca Malatestiana
- Distance from Rimini: 18 km
2) Santarcangelo di Romagna
Santarcangelo di Romagna is another must-visit village just a quick bike ride from Rimini, known for its scenic cobbled streets and lively squares. Santarcangelo and Verucchio can be visited on a single trip from Rimini – in that case, we recommend ascending from Villa Verucchio, and then visiting Santarcangelo on the way back, maybe stopping for lunch.
The historic centre is worth visiting, with the usual mix of cobbled alleys, elegant squares with outdoor cafés, and artisan workshops selling traditional textiles with stampa a ruggine (rust print), typical of this part of Romagna. Stamperia Marchi is a great place to visit to get some souvenirs.
Santarcangelo also has a separate “invisible city underground”, network of mysterious underground tuff caves measuring approximately 5/6 km. The caves are partly privately owned, and used to cure meats and cheeses, and party public, and can be visited on guided tours.
Santarcangelo is also a great restaurant destination – La Sangiovesa is my personal favourite, and Lazaroun is a close second. Osteria del Campanone is also often mentioned as one of the best places to eat piadina in Romagna. Personally I haven’t tried it, but hope to do so very soon!
- Don’t miss: The Tuff Caves (Grotte Tufacee)
- Distance from Rimini: 14 km
3) San Mauro Pascoli
San Mauro Pascoli is a quiet town, famous as the birthplace of the celebrated Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli. Visitors can explore Casa Pascoli, the poet’s childhood home, now a museum that offers insight into his life and work.
The town combines literary heritage with authentic Romagna traditions, with welcoming cafés, local markets, and excellent restaurants serving regional cuisine – my favourite is Trattoria da Pizoun.
San Mauro and Savignano, the next town, are right next to one another, so close that you can barely tell where one ends and the other begins – you can also see them both in one trip from Rimini, but make sure you stop for ice cream at Dolcemente for ice-cream before you ride back!
- Don’t miss: Casa Pascoli
- Distance from Rimini: 20 km
4) Savignano sul Rubicone
Yes, we are talking about that Rubicone! Savignano sul Rubicone is the #1 stop on this list for history lovers, best known for its connection to Julius Caesar’s legendary crossing of the Rubicon River.
Nowadays, the Roman bridge is still standing, and visitors can cross at will, and commemorate the event that changed the course of Roman history.
Savignano also has a lively cultural life, with art exhibitions, music festivals, and the internationally renowned SI FEST, Italy’s longest-running photography festival, attracting visitors from around the world.
- Don’t miss: Ponte Romano sul Rubicone (Roman Bridge)
- Distance from Rimini: 22 km
5) Monteleone
Monteleone is a tiny hilltop hamlet and definitely one of the loveliest villages of this part of rural Romagna. It is surrounded by field and vineyards and sits on top of a gentle hill, and the climb to get there by bike is scenic, without being too strenuous.
A castle sits atop the village, overlooking the main square – Piazza Byron, named after the famous English poet who visited regularly during his trips to Italy, to meet a local noblewoman he was in love with.
Monteleone is the ideal destination for those looking for tranquility, for its atmosphere suspended in time, and spectacular views over the countryside. If it’s open, don’t miss having lunch or a slice of crostata from the local Circolo, open at the weekend.
- Don’t miss: the views
- Distance from Rimini: 30 km
6) Roncofreddo
Roncofreddo is a hilltop village just 7 km away from Monteleone, with a nice historic centre and panoramic views. It’s larger and has more of a small town feel, and there are also some interesting sights to see, like the Oratorio della Madonna della Misericordia and S. Biagio Church, housing a wooden cross and some 16th century paintings.
There is also Rubicone 44 – Museo del Fronte, a small WW2 museum in a radio tower used by the Allies during the fight for the Gothic Line, one of the key moments of WW2. The museum is only opem
The surrounding countryside is ideal for hiking and gravel/mountain biking, with lots of gravel tracks and single trails through the woods.
- Don’t miss: Rubicone 44 – Museo del Fronte
- Distance from Rimini: 23 km
7) Longiano
Longiano is one of Romagna’s cultural gems, combining medieval charm with a vibrant artistic spirit. Dominated by the impressive Malatestiana Castle, the village still has parts of the old city walls, overlooking a landscape that stretches all the way to the Adriatic Sea.
Longiano has five museums, the best known of which is the Tito Balestra Foundation, which features works by renowned Italian and international artists. The other four museums are dedicated to sacred art, cast-iron manufacturing, masks and the local territory.
It is also possible to learn more about WW2 history in Longiano – Rifugio Bellico is an underground tunnel network that was used by locals to shelter from the bombs.
- Don’t miss: Tito Balestra Foundation
- Distance from Rimini: 25 km
8) Montiano
Montiano marks the border between the hills and flatlands near the Adriatic coast, and its elevated position offer scenic views all the way to the sea.
Its historic centre features quiet streets, ancient churches and the Rocca, a unique heart-shaped castle – you can climb onto the walls for some really good views.
Nature lovers will appreciate the scenic walking trails that surround the village – a local hiking group created eight themed nature trails, ranging in distance from 8 to 18 km.
Montiano, Longiano, Roncofreddo and Monteleone can all be visited on the same itinerary from Rimini, measuring 75 km with 700 m elevation gain. You can get the gpx link here!
- Don’t miss: the Rocca
- Distance from Rimini: 32 km
This article was written following our participation in EMCC 2026, the European Media Cycling Championship in Rimini, in collaboration with the Velo-city conference. Thanks everyone 🙂