The city of Cervia is one of the most famous places on the Adriatic Riviera. Located on the central Italian coast, in the Province of Ravenna, Cervia is visited by thousands of visitors every summer who come to enjoy its 10 km of sandy beaches and the temperate coastal climate. The city's population nearly triples during the summer months.
As we said, the main attraction of the area is yours coast bordered by pine forests. Besides its beaches, the city offers several historical architectural structures, including the beautiful one cathedral of the eighteenth century.
Cervia is a perfect one seaside destination for families with children thanks to its sandy beaches and the wide range of activities it offers. But this does not mean that for young people the holiday here will be boring because those who want to have fun and party all night will find the city of Milan-Maritima, separated from Cervia only by a small canal, famous for its night clubs and discos.
What to see and do in Cervia
The beach of Cervia
Cervia is famous for its wide and long sandy beach very well organized. Along its coast, which stretches for several kilometers, there are more than 200 bathing establishments. In the city there is no shortage of free beaches that make Cervia a suitable destination for one low-cost holiday.
The beach is perfect both for families with children, thanks to the seabed that slopes gently towards the sea, and for young people, who will always have something to do.
There are many playgrounds along the shore. You can play beach volleyball or football. You can snorkel and dive. Off the beach there are tennis and golf courts.
For those who love nightlife and dancing there are several clubs with live music and above all a few km away you can reach the twin city of Milano Marittima and its wide variety of high-end bars and nightclubs.
The historic center - Piazza Garibaldi
It is a large rectangular square, paved with river pebbles, overlooking the center of the old city, the best area to stay in Cervia. It is surrounded by several historic buildings, the most notable of which is the Cathedral, a classic construction with a spire bell tower and, right in front, the majestic Town Hall, from the XNUMXth century.
Do not miss small nineteenth-century fountain in the south-western corner of the square, completely restored and with drinking water. The square is very lively on summer evenings, when it hosts street shows and light shows that are projected on the facade of the Town Hall.
The historic center also hosts numerous fountains, ponti, towers e bell. Do not miss the Bridge of the gates, the nineteenth century Municipal Theater of Cervia, Monument to Grazia Deledda and Piazzale dei Salinari.
Torre San Michele
A few steps from Piazza Garibaldi is the Torre San Michele, which dates back to 1691 and which over the centuries has had various uses. Initially it was built to defend the city and the precious adjacent warehouse of salt from the assaults of brigands and looters. Indeed the Tower was a real fort with slits and openings for small arms and cannons.
Later the tower was used as a lighthouse. Today, however, it is the headquarters ofTourist Information and Reception Office. This construction is particularly impressive at sunset. However, a permit is required to access the top.
The MUSA
Next to the tower of San Michele is the imposing building that houses the Salt Museum (MUSA) of Cervia. It is an ethnographic museum dedicated to the history of salt production in the city.
Initially the building it served as a salt warehouse in the city. In the space where it once housed tens of thousands of tons of salt, today it exhibits historical documents, equipment and photographs. Access is free every first Sunday of the month.
The salt pan of Cervia
Discover one of the greenest landscapes on the Adriatic, the Po Delta Regional Park, a vast natural park dotted with picturesque lagoons next to the centuries-old salina of the city, the Salina di Cervia.
It is a nature reserve of great naturalistic and landscape interest and a place of remarkable beauty during the day, but it is worth staying until sunset to admire the beautiful scenes of flocks of herons and flamingos returning to their nests.
The Visitor Center organizes guided tours on foot, by bike and by electric boat, for families and birdwatchers and nature photography enthusiasts.
Ravenna
Throughout history, Ravenna has been an extremely important city in many different empires including the capital of the Western Roman Empire and the capital of the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths.
Due to this elaborate ancient history, Ravenna has a myriad of fantastic historic buildings. Classified as World Heritage by Unesco i mosaics of Ravenna they are truly amazing. They constitute the richest patrimony of mosaics dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries AD and are among the most beautiful representations of early Christian and Byzantine art in Europe.
In the city center, you can visit a fine selection of churches and basilicas, stroll through the impressive squares or even see the tomb of the legendary writer Dante Alighieri. Ravenna can be easily reached from Cervia by car in just half an hour.
Discover all the tours available to visit Ravenna and its monuments
amusement parks
The Pirate Park, Cervia - Children can have fun at the Parco dei Pirati, an amusement park inspired by the world of pirates, located between the coast of Cervia and the pine forests of Pinarella. It offers activities for all ages, such as go-karts, mini golf, “collision” rafts in the water and latest generation games for both children and adults.
CerviAvventura, Cervia - Beautiful adventure park surrounded by nature a stone's throw from the sea. Exciting routes for all ages and all tastes.
Italy in Miniature, Rimini - a visit to discover the cultural heritage of Italy and Europe. In this park you will find 270 perfect scale reproductions of monuments and architectural masterpieces.
Atlantica, Cesenatico - This large water park inaugurated in 1998 covers an area of 100.000 square meters and houses green spaces and beautiful swimming pools heated to 28 ° C.
Mirabilandia, Ravenna - It is the largest amusement park on the Romagna Riviera and hosts 6 thematic areas and 37 different attractions suitable for both adults and children. His visit will give you lots of fun, adrenaline and breathtaking shows. It is located about 10 kilometers from Cervia towards Ravenna.
The Terme di Cervia
Cervia is famous for its spa, adjacent to the millenary pine forest of 27 hectares. Land Terme di Cervia are the ideal place for those who want to try the recognized therapeutic efficacy of the brackish waters of Cervia.
All spa treatments are carried out with the use of the so-called Mother water, an elixir with anti-inflammatory and analgesic virtues used in the thermal pool both in the form of baths, mud baths and inhalation treatments and of Liman Mud, which is similar in content to Dead Sea mud.
Balneotherapy is represented by one thermal pool with salt concentration 4 times higher than sea water and a constant temperature of 33 degrees. They also exist different forms of therapies such as hot and cold mud therapy, ozone therapy, magnetotherapy and a wide variety of types of massage.
Commercial area of Cervia
The center of Cervia has a limited number of shops, but shoppers can reach it in 10 minutes Milano Marittima which is a shopper's paradise. Although they are two clearly differentiated areas, Cervia and Milano Marittima are very close, connected by the bridge of Via Bonaldo, next to the San Michele Tower.
How to get to Cervia
By plane
To reach Cervia you can arrive by plane at the international airport of Rimini or at the airport of Bologna. Only in the first case the distance from Cervia will be 30 km and in the second 90 km. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus or a taxi to reach the city or you can rent a car and reach Cervia easily.
Book a flight to reach Rimini or BolognaOn the train
There are several trains that connect Ravenna to Cervia (the journey takes 20 minutes) and there are also rail connections with Venice, Rome, Bologna and Milan.
Book your ticket here to reach Cervia by trainBy car
From Bologna or Rome take the E45. Those driving from Florence should take the E35 to Bologna, then change, while those arriving from Venice should take the A13 to Bologna and then the E45 to the Cesena Nord exit and follow the signs for Cervia.
Rent a car to reach CerviaBy bus
From Ravenna you can take bus 176 to Cervia but there are also several buses of private companies such as Flixbus that connect the city with Milan, Trento, Rome, Verona, Padova...
Where sleeping in Cervia
High-quality luxury resorts in Cervia include MarePineta and the Grand Hotel Gallia, both with stretches of private beach.
The city center and especially Piazza Garibaldi is a lively area, lined with lively cafes and excellent restaurants. Here there is no shortage of accommodations that are generally quite cheap.
By the sea, however, there are several 3-star hotels, which offer a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea. Several hotels offer breakfast included in the price and beautiful terraces where you can relax with a nice drink.
Find and book accommodation in Cervia
Milano Marittima, on the other hand, is famous for its many luxury options. However, thanks to their enviable location and their quality of services, accommodation here is usually more expensive.
Find and book accommodation in Milano MarittimaHow to get around in Cervia
To move around the city you can easily use the public transport. There are several local buses, but most people choose to cycle or walk thanks to the compact size of the city.
If you need to go from one beach to another, and taxi they are a good option because for short journeys the cost is not high.
The car remains the best way to move around the city, to reach the various beaches and above all to visit the surroundings of Cervia and the nearby cities such as Ravenna, Rimini, Riccione, San Marino ...
