Riccione's beach runs the full length of the town in a wide sandy strip facing northeast across the Adriatic. The water is shallow and calm for a long distance from shore — good for children and bad for wave swimmers. The beach is organized in the Italian manner: private concessions (stabilimenti balneari) running in numbered sequence from north to south, each with their own umbrellas, sunbeds, changing rooms, and bar. A free public section (spiaggia libera) exists at the southern end of town near the port.
The private beach system is efficient and comfortable once you understand it. You rent an umbrella and two sunbeds for the day, and your section's bar brings drinks and food to the beach. The numbered sections have different characters — some are quieter family operations, others have DJs in the afternoon. Prices are posted at the entrance; in peak July and August they can be significant.