Bellaria-Igea Marina is a seaside resort on the Adriatic coast between Rimini and Cesenatico. It began as a fishing village and still has some of that character, though today it is firmly a beach holiday town -- long stretches of sand, family-friendly facilities, and a summer calendar packed with events.
The Saracen Tower, a sixteenth-century watchtower on the seafront, now houses an eccentric Museum of Shells and Banknotes. The Malatesta castle is a reminder of the feudal families that once controlled this stretch of coast. Nearby San Mauro Pascoli, the birthplace of the poet Giovanni Pascoli, is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in Italian literature.
In summer, the independent Italian cinema festival Anteprima draws film enthusiasts. The town is less hectic than Rimini but close enough to visit for a night out. The beach promenade is pleasant for an evening walk, and the seafood restaurants along the waterfront serve the catch of the day.