01Darsena and harbour canal at a glance
A day trip from Hotel Viking, the Antonioli family’s 3-star hotel in Viserbella di Rimini: the harbour canal is Rimini’s seafaring heart, with fishing boats lining the Marecchia, the Palata with its lighthouse and, on the opposite bank, the Darsena with its marina.
From Hotel Viking in Viserbella it takes about 25 minutes by car, 27 minutes by bike along the seafront, or you can take bus no. 4, which stops 100 metres from the hotel.
| Address | Marina di Rimini, Largo Ruggero Boscovich, 47921 Rimini (RN); harbour canal between San Giuliano Mare and Marina Centro |
|---|---|
| From the hotel by car | 7.0 km, about 25 minutes |
| By bike | 6.0 km, about 27 minutes |
| On foot | 6.0 km, about 75 minutes |
| By bus | bus no. 4 (stop 25) to the railway station, then about a 25-minute walk |
| Entrance | The harbour canal, the Palata with its pier and the walk around the marina are public spaces, open and free. |
02History
- The harbour canal grew up at the original mouth of the River Marecchia, with quays on both sides, and has been the symbol of Rimini’s seafaring tradition from Roman times through the Middle Ages and the Malatesta era.
- The left bank of the canal is home to the fishing trade: boatyards, workshops and the wholesale fish market, one of the most important on the Adriatic.
- The Palata is the historic far end of the east pier. Fellini recalled it in the night-time scene of the ocean liner Rex in Amarcord, and Valerio Zurlini filmed Alain Delon’s walks in the fog here for 'La prima notte di quiete'.
- The lighthouse stands on the east side of the harbour. The first design dates from 1733 (Luigi Vanvitelli, commissioned by Pope Clement XII) and the tower was completed in 1745 by Giovan Francesco Buonamici. Damaged in the Second World War, the present lighthouse was lit in 1946.
- The lighthouse’s light is 27 metres above sea level and has a range of 15 nautical miles.
03What to see
The Marina di Rimini was opened in 2002 in the San Giuliano Mare area, between the harbour and the mouth of the Marecchia. It has around 620-660 berths (official sources give different figures) and is surrounded by a 1,300-metre raised walkway.
Experts consider it one of the most beautiful and modern marinas in the Mediterranean. It is home to yachts and sailing boats and, above all, to sporting events.
On the pier there is a 200-metre walkway built right over the sea; in the evening the Palata lights up with the lamps of the fishing boats coming back in. Fellini made it the winter haunt of his 'Vitelloni'.
A little further upstream, beyond the Ponte di Tiberio, lies Borgo San Giuliano, the old fishermen’s quarter, with murals dedicated to Fellini’s films. On the Lungofiume degli Artisti, along the Marecchia diversion channel, there are murals on local history and on the trabucchi fishing huts.
Sources: Emilia-Romagna Turismo · italyformovies.com · Wikipedia (English) · Riviera di Rimini. Information checked in October 2026.
04Visitor information
The harbour canal, the Palata with its pier and the walk around the marina are public spaces, open and free. The lighthouse can be admired from outside. The Mercato Coperto (covered market), with more than 60 stalls, is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 19:45.
Opening times and prices may change: always check the official website before you go.
Sources: Emilia-Romagna Turismo. Information checked in October 2026.
05How to get there from Hotel Viking
By car: it’s 7.0 km, about 25 minutes depending on traffic. The historic centre is a limited traffic zone, so it’s best to leave the car in one of the public car parks on the edge of the centre. Your space at the hotel stays reserved in our private car park.
By bike: 6.0 km, about 27 minutes, almost all on the Parco del Mare cycle path into Rimini; the hotel has bike storage, there are bikes to hire along the way and a bike-hire shop 1.5 km away (cycling holidays).
By bus: bus no. 4 stops 100 metres from the hotel (stop 25) and goes to Rimini railway station; from there it’s about a 25-minute walk.
06Nearby
- Borgo San Giuliano and the Ponte di Tiberio, heading up the canal
- Lungofiume degli Artisti and the mouth of the Marecchia, with murals
- Parco Briolini in San Giuliano Mare, with a children's playground
- San Giuliano Mare beach and, across the canal, the Palata and Marina Centro beach
- Wholesale fish market, on the left bank of the canal
- Ponte di Tiberio and Borgo San Giuliano
- Parco del Mare and the northern seafront
More ideas on our things to do in Rimini, events in Rimini and inland hills and hilltop villages pages.
07What our guests say
What our guests say about the hotel's location and day trips.
Handy for everything
«excellent location, close to everything, the sea included, but on a quiet street.»
Day trips
«You can book trips inland with the help of the reception staff»
08FAQ
What is the Palata in Rimini?
It’s the historic far end of the harbour canal’s east pier: a seaside stroll much loved by the people of Rimini, and linked to the films of Fellini (Amarcord, I Vitelloni) and Zurlini.
How many berths does Rimini's marina have?
Marina di Rimini, opened in 2002, has around 620-660 berths: Riviera di Rimini gives 662, Emilia-Romagna Turismo 622. It is surrounded by a 1,300-metre raised walkway.
How far is Hotel Viking from the Darsena and harbour canal?
7.0 km, about 25 minutes by car or 27 minutes by bike along the seafront.
How do I get to the Darsena and harbour canal without a car?
By bus no. 4, which stops 100 metres from the hotel (stop 25) and runs to Rimini railway station, or by bike along the Parco del Mare cycle path.
Do I need a ticket for the Darsena and harbour canal?
The harbour canal, the Palata with its pier and the walk around the marina are public spaces, open and free.
Where to stay nearby?
At Hotel Viking in Viserbella, a 3-star hotel 100 metres from the sea with a pool, private car park and Romagna cooking, just a few minutes from the centre of Rimini.
