01Our idea: a sun-powered holiday
Looking for a green hotel in Rimini where a sustainable holiday doesn't mean going without? Hotel Viking is a 3-star hotel in Viserbella di Rimini that runs partly on solar power. For more than 15 years we've been making our guests' holidays as green as we can, through practical changes and lots of small things we do every day.
That's what we mean by “sun powered”. The same Romagna sun that warms the beach also heats our water and produces some of the hotel's electricity. And you don't go without anything: there's hot water, air conditioning in the rooms, a pool and Romagna cooking.
02Solar water heating and 7.5 kWp of solar PV already in place
Our solar thermal panels collect the sun's heat and use it to warm the water. The more sun there is, the less gas we burn, so we use less energy and produce fewer emissions.
Our 7.5 kWp solar PV system turns sunlight into electricity for the hotel. In Romagna each kWp produces about 1,200–1,400 kWh a year on average, so our system can generate roughly 9,000–10,500 kWh of clean energy a year (a rough estimate). That saves several tonnes of CO₂ a year compared with taking the same power from the grid.
03Next up: another 30 kWp by the end of 2026
We want to go further. By the end of 2026 we plan to add another 30 kWp of solar PV on the hotel roofs:
- 7.5 kWp already installed today;
- 30 kWp of new panels, due by the end of 2026;
- around 38 kWp in total once the work is done, five times what we have now, producing roughly 45,600–53,200 kWh a year (a rough estimate).
We'll update this page once the new system is running.
04Electric cars: 22 kW charging points
The hotel's private car park has 22 kW charging points for electric cars, so you can park up and charge while you're on holiday or at work. Ask us about availability and terms when you book.
We drive electric too. The hotel has a Tesla for getting about, charged with power from our own panels, and an electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz is joining it in November 2026.
05A saltwater pool, ozone and less plastic
- Saltwater pool: the water is treated with salt and ozone, so it's gentler on skin and eyes and needs far less chlorine. The water in the hot tub is changed every evening.
- Filtered drinking water: our own water treatment system means guests need far less bottled mineral water.
- Less plastic: we've cut single-use plastic right back.
- Small things every day, from how we use energy to how we look after the garden.
06Hundreds of trees, fruit and fresh herbs
We've planted hundreds of trees and shrubs in the garden and car park, many of them fruit trees, along with citrus and herbs such as mint, thyme, sage, basil and rosemary. They give shade in summer, clean the air and end up in the kitchen too.
The garden and its trees are where guests most like to sit with a coffee in the shade or an aperitif, and where we hold the weekly barbecue. Herbs and fruit from the garden go into the dishes of our Romagna cooking.
07What it means for you
A holiday that's easier on the environment, without missing out on anything: hot water, air-conditioned rooms, a sunny pool and Romagna cooking, with a bit of extra thought for the sun, the water and the greenery. If you come in an electric car you can charge it here, and the Parco del Mare seafront promenade, with its cycle path all the way into Rimini, is a few steps away. Your car can stay parked for the whole holiday. We have a bike store at the hotel and there are bikes for hire along the road: see our cycling holiday page.
08The green Viking in figures
The main facts about what we do for the environment, all in one table. Handy if you're looking for a sustainable hotel in Rimini or you work in the energy sector.
| Solar water heating | roof panels that heat the hotel's water |
|---|---|
| Solar PV | 7.5 kWp installed, roughly 9,000–10,500 kWh a year (estimate) |
| Planned | another 30 kWp by the end of 2026: about 38 kWp in total, roughly 45,600–53,200 kWh a year (estimate) |
| Electric cars | 22 kW charging points in the car park; a Tesla for hotel journeys, with a VW ID. Buzz arriving in November 2026 |
| Water | saltwater pool treated with ozone; filtered drinking water |
| Trees and plants | hundreds of trees and shrubs planted; citrus and herbs that go into our cooking |
| Without a car | Parco del Mare seafront promenade with cycle path, bike store, bikes for hire along the road and a hire shop 1.5 km away |
Coming to Rimini for a green trade fair? We have pages for visitors to Ecomondo and KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, covering distances, parking and invoicing your company. For parking details, see our car park page.
09What our guests say
The greenery is the first thing guests notice, and they mention it on TripAdvisor too.
The garden
«Cool, relaxing garden, pool in the sun!»
The trees
«Relaxation guaranteed. After dinner in the shade of their trees, but above all at night, lulled by the sea breeze.»
10FAQ
How much electricity do the hotel's solar panels produce?
The 7.5 kWp system produces an estimated 9,000–10,500 kWh a year. Another 30 kWp is due to be added by the end of 2026, taking us to about 38 kWp and roughly 45,600–53,200 kWh a year.
Is the hotel a good base for Ecomondo or KEY?
Yes. We're 5 km from the Rimini Expo Centre (Fiera di Rimini), about 10 minutes by car, and open all year. We have EV charging points and a private car park, and we can invoice your company.
Is Hotel Viking a green, sustainable hotel?
Yes. We use solar water heating and solar PV, and we have EV charging points, a saltwater pool, filtered drinking water and far less single-use plastic. We've also planted hundreds of trees in the garden and car park.
Can I have a holiday without a car?
Yes. From Rimini station take the no. 4 bus (stop 25 is 100 m from the hotel). The Parco del Mare seafront promenade runs right past us, with a cycle path all the way into Rimini. We have a bike store at the hotel, there are bikes for hire along the road, and there's a bike hire shop 1.5 km away.
Why does Hotel Viking call itself “sun powered”?
Because some of the energy we use comes straight from the sun. Solar thermal panels heat our water and a 7.5 kWp PV system makes electricity. We've spent more than 15 years making our guests' holidays as green as we can.
How big is the solar PV system?
We have 7.5 kWp installed today. Another 30 kWp is planned by the end of 2026, bringing the total to about 38 kWp.
Can I charge my electric car at the hotel?
Yes, there are 22 kW charging points in the car park. Ask us about availability and terms when you book.
Is it a saltwater pool?
Yes. The water is treated with salt and ozone, so it needs far less chlorine.
What are you doing to cut down on plastic?
We've cut single-use plastic right back, and we filter our drinking water so there's less need for bottled water.
