Overview
On this six day holiday, cycling in Emilia-Romagna, you are based in the coastal town of Riccione throughout. Staying in a four-star cycling-friendly hotel, this carefully-crafted itinerary takes you straight from the hotel to an array of valleys and villages, hilltop hideaways and coastal ones too. Less of a hideaway is Rimini, the iconic seaside resort which you get to explore on your last day of cycling. One of the other cultural highlights of this holiday is crossing the border into the Republic of San Marino, a microstate with mega cycling trails to ancient castles and traditional hamlets. This tour is accessible by rail, and there is an option to rent e-bikes.
- Riccione
- San Marino
- San Bartolo Regional Natural Park
- Montegridolfo
- Gradara
- Rimini
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Riccione
Arrive in Riccione, a coastal town on the Adriatic coast of Emilia-Romagna. Depending on arrival time, walk along the seafront promenade linking the beach with the town centre, passing cafés and shops along Viale Ceccarini. If time allows, visit Piazzale Roma, a central square used for public events and evening gatherings. At 18.00, meet the bike manager at the hotel for a welcome drink and a briefing on the cycling programme for the week.
- Accommodation: Dory Hotel & Suite in Riccione
Day 2: San Marino loop | 62.1km
Cycle inland from Riccione on secondary roads that gradually leave the coastal plain, passing through Pian della Pieve, a small inland village surrounded by farmland and olive groves. Continue towards Vecciano before crossing the border into the Republic of San Marino. The route climbs to the historic centre, known for its Three Towers and wide views across the Apennines. The return ride descends through Borgo Maggiore, San Marino’s main market town connected by cable car to the capital, before passing the hamlet of Torraccia near the border and returning to Riccione via Cerasolo.
An optional barbecue lunch and vinegar tasting is available at a country house in Vecciano.
- Cycling for the day: 62.1km, ↑907m ↓907m
Day 3: Castelli Malatestiani loop | 59.2km
Head inland towards the first hills south of the coast, reaching San Giovanni in Marignano before continuing via Monte Lupo, where the route climbs through open countryside. The ride links Saludecio and Mondaino, two hilltop villages associated with the Malatesta family, before reaching the walled village of Montegridolfo, located on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Marche. The return follows quieter rural roads, passing through the hamlets of San Pietro and San Rocco, before descending via Pianventena and returning to Riccione.
- Cycling for the day: 59.2km, ↑650m ↓650m
Day 4: Gradara and Panoramica loop | 50.1km
Cycle along the coast to Cattolica and Gabicce Mare, on the border with Marche, before turning inland towards the fortified town of Gradara. The route climbs to the castle above the surrounding countryside and continues along Strada del Boncio, a panoramic hillside road entering San Bartolo Regional Natural Park, a protected coastal area overlooking the Adriatic. The descent leads through Gabicce Monte and Cattolica, before returning to Riccione via Misano Adriatico.
- Cycling for the day: 50.1km, ↑602m ↓602m
Day 5: Rimini loop | 49.6km
Ride north to Rimini, a city with Roman heritage. The route allows time to explore key landmarks such as the Arch of Augustus, Tiberius Bridge and Malatesta Temple. Continue inland towards Sant’Ermete on quieter country roads, leaving the coast behind and entering Marecchia Valley. The route passes the small hamlet of Osteria del Fiume, following the river before looping back towards Riccione.
An optional lunch is available at Azienda Agricola Fratelli Frontali, located in the countryside north-west of Rimini.
- Cycling for the day: 49.6km, ↑283m ↓283m
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this centre-based tour is in a four-star hotel with outdoor pool, sauna and gym. The hotel has been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including location, warm hospitality, fine local food, commitment to responsible tourism and suitability for cycling holidays. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotel
Dory Hotel & Suite Riccione (Riccione)
This hotel is subject to availability. In the event of the particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. While cycling, there are several spots along the way where you can stop for lunch. Dinner is available at the hotel or nearby restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
The trip is graded easy to moderate. The routes follow secondary roads with light traffic and gravel sections through farmland, vineyards and medieval villages. Daily distances range from 49km to 62km. The trip is suitable for regular cyclists who have an active lifestyle (read more about difficulty grades). E-bikes are also available for rental on this tour.
When to go
This trip operates with arrivals on Sundays and departures on Fridays. It is available from March to May and from late August to October, when temperatures are suitable for cycling and countryside routes are open.
In March, the start of spring brings daytime temperatures ranging from 10-15C, with cooler evenings around 4-8C. In May, temperatures rise to 15-22C during the day and evenings remain comfortably cooler at 10-15C. September boasts pleasant temperatures with daytime highs ranging from 20-27C and evening lows between 16-20C. In October, temperatures range from 15-20C during the day, with cooler nights of around 9-14C. These months offer ideal conditions for cycling, boasting moderate temperatures, gentle sea breezes and a lower chance of rainfall. For more information see our blog, Best time to go to Italy.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival and departure airports for this holiday are Rimini Airport (RMI) and Ancona Airport (AOI) .
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with a train station in Riccione. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia or visit the Omio planner above.
- From Rimini Airport (RMI), take a 4mins train ride to Riccione For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia or use the Omio planner above.
- From Ancona Airport (AOI), take a 1hr 47mins train to Riccione. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia or use the Omio planner above.
- Rimini is connected to other major Italian cities by train, with train stations in Bologna, Florence, Venice and Milan. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia or use the Omio planner above.
- If you are traveling by car, a free car park is available on-site.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 overnights with private facilities
- 5 breakfasts
- Welcome drink on day one
- In-house mechanic for repairs/adjustments
- Bike storage with video surveillance
- Access to hydromassage tubs and to the outdoor pool of Dory Aqua Spa.
- Detailed route notes, maps and GPS tracks
- Phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and connecting land transfers
- Drinks and snacks not explicitly mentioned as included
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local city tax and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any item not explicitly mentioned as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Open-air barbecue lunch and vinegar tasting at the country house in Vecciano on day two
- Open-air lunch at Azienda Agricola Fratelli Frontali on day five
- Dinner at the hotel
- Bike rental
- Bike insurance
- Extra nights
Bike rental
Various Scott models are available to rent on this tour, including Scott Addict DISC, Scott Addict Gravel, Scott Solace Gravel, Scott Addict 10, Scott Sub Cross 40 and Scott Junior 24–26 bikes. Electric options include Scott Sub Tour E-Ride USX, Scott Sub Tour E-Ride MEN, Scott Addict E-Ride 30, Scott Addict E-Ride 20, Scott Gravel E-Ride 30 and Scott Gravel E-Ride 20. All bikes come equipped with a repair kit and saddle bag. Helmets are available free of charge but must be booked in advance. Pedals can be brought and fitted at no extra charge. Bike insurance is available for peace of mind.
Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on the availability, but the standard will be the same.
