Igea Marina The Off Season Beach Ghost Town On The Italian Riviera
When we planned this trip to Italy, we wanted to explore some new and off-the-beaten-path locations for tourists. We were surprised when we visited Igea Marina the off Season beach ghost town.
There was no more real local Italian destination than an Italian beach town. When we searched “Italian – beach – Adriatic” we were bombarded with images of lively, crowded beach resort destinations. Using this input we decided that our first stop after Bologna would be the beach resort town of Igea Marina (just north of Rimini) on the Italian Riviera. In our first few weeks in Italy, when we told locals that we were staying in Igea Marina, they all looked at us longingly. We felt like we made a good choice!
It was a short train trip from Bologna to Rimini to Igea Marina. We exited at the deserted train station and really did not expect to find a taxi waiting at the stand. Luckily my online map app showed our hotel to be mere blocks from the train station. So we rolled our bags onward.
It was a crazy wild sight when we entered the hotel. Only later we found out that the hotel was hosting both a wedding party and a retirement party. The owner Rita welcomed us profusely and settled us with a glass of vino bianca as our bags were taken to our ready room. We sat back and listened as the Italians all chattered at once, moving from group to group. We had found our spot with the locals.
Not An Ideal Start
The easy start was quickly dispelled when we found our premium room had no air conditioning, an imperceptible wifi signal and was right over the main entrance and hotel restaurant. Apparently when a hotel claimed “climate control”, air conditioning was not guaranteed. We remained skeptical that the town told them to shut the AC off. It was no joke when we awoke the next morning with a room at 30°C and 80% humidity. After 6 hours they solved the wifi problem with a portable hotspot. The noise that first night was horrid and even they acknowledged the next day how bad it was.
Not surprisingly, when the hotel emptied on Sunday afternoon, they quickly moved us to a room that was larger and off the main street. This kept the street noise down. But even in a near deserted town, the street cleaners started at 7am and the locals sat at the bar under our window until closing. The lack of air conditioning became a new red flag for us. And when we saw our next planned hotel similarly claimed “climate control”, we quickly cancelled and found another.
To make matters worse, I managed to pick up a cold. I was sure it was partly due to the lack of fruit and veggies. It may have also been the public transit in Bologna or the train travel. But my snuffling nose and sore ears were not helped by the hot and humid conditions. David was not happy when he also got the cold. The good side of being a little sick was that we took it a little easy at this stop!
Finding The Ghost Town Of Igea Marina
After we settled in on the first night, we ventured out at about 5pm for a stroll along the beach. It kinda felt like we were in a science fiction movie where all the people had been whisked away. There were a few people spread out along the beach. Most beach bars were shut up tight. And in some places the beach walkways were being removed. We found Igea Marina the off season beach ghost town!
Our hotel stopped serving dinner after the second night. And I suspected that they, like most of the other hotels on the beach, would soon roll down their shutters for the season. Everywhere we went we saw signs that announced the season closing dates. The beach and the town certainly did not resemble the beach resort pics we used to decide to stay in this town!
Searching For New Restaurants Every Day
We scoped out a few restaurants that looked like they might stay open. But we remained uncertain about the food situation day by day. Each day we tried a new spot, never certain if they would be open when we got back. We never found a real grocery store in our part of town. So we vowed to pick up picnic food when we were out.
Luckily the coastal bus ran right past us and for 4.50€ for a 24hr pass we travelled into Rimini. This opened up more spots to try. Although each day more shutters were closed for the season.
We also got bikes from the hotel and explored the small town of Igea Marina. We even rode into Bellaria on the far side of Igea Marina one day for fresh caught seafood.
Open restaurants were hard to find in Igea Marina the off season beach ghost town. But we were delighted to be back on the coast with our fill of seafood. Most offered some pasta and meat selections. But the specialties of the day were seafood and not passed up. David was in heaven and again regretted that he had developed a liking for seafood in me. He fought to get his share of a full pot of mussels for two. A few suggestions if you are in the area:
- Griglia del Oro (mussels, seafood platter)
- Osteria Del Mare Baracca (mussels, seafood risotto)
- Restauranti Pizzeria Da Alice (buffalo mozzarella pizza)
Hot And Humid In The Autumn
In late September, the weather was still doing pretty well. But we saw more rain and storms on this beach stop. With no air conditioning we slept with our windows open and one night we were woken to a sudden wind storm raging in from the sea.
David braved the wind and secured the window awning which threatened to fly away. Feeling cocky he took out his phone and videoed the trees bending in half and the strings of lights swaying 6′ side to side.
David laughed at my suggestion that maybe we should take cover away from the windows as they rattled in their frames. And then he rolled over and went back to sleep. The sound of the wind as it hammered the windows finally put me back to sleep. The storm brought the water quite high on the beach and there was much damage to anything that was left loose.
The high humidity sparked a few lesser thunder and rainstorms. That gave us a little downtime for naps, writing and pic editing. Away for 10 weeks in Italy, on these little breaks we caught our breath and re-charged a little. Especially important as we fought to get over our colds.
Day Trips From Igea Marina
One day we took a quick train north and visited the mosaic town of Ravenna. It was an awesome display of Byzantine era mosaics, much still well preserved in several locations.
For another day trip, we went into Rimini and caught the bus and left Italy for a day in San Marino. We strolled up and up in the old town. We saw 2 of the 3 towers that protected this independent republic.
Walking Around Rimini
Our last day in this area we ventured on the local bus again into Rimini. We saw the few sights we flagged as “must see”.
The first stop was Arco d’Augusto, a massive stone arch leading to the old town. We were surprised when we saw a Canadian government logo on the plaque in front. It commemorated the Canadian liberation of Rimini in 1944. Who would have known? This would be the first but not the last of the Canadian monuments we found in the towns on the Adriatic coast.
We wandered in Old Town and were drawn to the artistic elements in the architecture. In Piazza Cavour David found a picture opportunity as he caught the picture in the picture.
The final stop on our historic walk was at the Ponte di Tiberio. I expected some great bridge. But found the old stone single lane bridge. I was sure it had historical significance more than aesthetic appeal.
Leaving Igea Marina The Off Season Beach Ghost Town
It was packing time again. As we left the hotel, it closed for the season. We survived our beach resort ghost town adventure. We were sure it was a lively spot in the summer season. But if you visit resort towns in off season along the Adriatic coast, be sure to check on when everything is closed for the season.
If hotel availability was low, it was probably because few places were open. This might mean low rates. But we found that rates and availability still peaked on weekends for the few locations still open. You might be better with a car than relying on less than regular public transit. This would open up eating options. And make sure to eat on day trips! But as hearty Canadian stock, we still wrapped in a towel and enjoyed an empty beach. And the sun was still warm in September!
We left feeling more like locals than tourists. Which was not a bad thing. Rolling our bags to the train station, we were off to the next stop in Pescara.
What is your favourite beach town on the Adriatic side of Italy? Have you visited Igea Marina the off season beach ghost town? Do you have any other tips to share?
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