Did you know that Cattolica is known as the Queen of the Adriatic?
Traditionally an ancient fishing village, today it is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Italy which every year welcomes thousands of guests who want to spend their holidays in a beach resort.
Pedestrian precincts, many squares with fountains, old churches, a museum, the Queen’s Theatre and an arena for summer concerts.
Conveniently located at the foot of Mount Gabicce, Cattolica boasts a mild climate, unique in Emilia Romagna, much appreciated by tourists and even by us who live here.
Surrounded by green hills and with many villages, medieval castles and small towns inland, Cattolica overlooks the sea and a wide beach of very fine sand, perfect for long walks in your bare feet.
In short, an exceptional location for a holiday full of activities!
Here are some ideas.
Well, if you love shopping, a stroll along Via Dante (closed to traffic all year round!) is all you need.
This street is full of shops, elegant stores, ice cream parlours and traditional bars and you can reach Piazza delle Fontane in one direction and the aquarium “Le Navi” in the other direction.
During the day and also in the evening, you can go for a nice walk along the harbour quay. An enchanting atmosphere created only by the pleasant sound of the breaking waves, the smell of the sea and the spectacular view of the fishing boats leaving the harbour or coming back laden with fish and seafood.
Cattolica is also a town rich in history. There are many attractions in the city centre, from the ancient 13th-century church of San Apollinare to the Renaissance art gallery of S. Croce and the adjacent Torre Malatestiana from 1490.
Today, the old hospital houses the Queen’s Museum, the public museum of Cattolica. Here, you will find a very interesting archaeology section (with a collection of exhibits from the Bronze Age and the Roman age) and the Maritime section which collects unique pieces such as models of boats from different historical periods.
During your holiday, you will also have the opportunity to go on several trips to explore inland and take part in unique events such as parties in the square, concerts, street markets, games for children and sports tournaments.
One of the shows that we recommend is the traditional Show of the Dancing Fountains in Piazza 1° Maggio. It is a very important and exciting event in the town which consists of an extraordinary display of water jets, dancing to the rhythm of music with bright colourful lights.
