- Forlì hosts major art exhibitions at the Musei San Domenico
- Cesena's Malatestiana Library is a beautifully preserved 15th-century library
- Bertinoro and the Romagna hills are known for Sangiovese wine
- The province runs from Cesenatico's beaches to the Casentino forests
- Airports
- Bologna (BLQ), Rimini (RMI)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Forlì and Cesena share a province in the heart of Romagna, the eastern half of Emilia-Romagna. Forlì is a solid, unhurried city with a wide central square, medieval churches and a striking collection of 1920s and 1930s architecture. Cesena, a short train ride away, is smaller and best known for its Renaissance library.
For UK travellers, this is a chance to see everyday Romagna away from the crowds: piadina kiosks, Sangiovese wine, hill towns with castles and a stretch of Adriatic coast. It combines easily with Bologna, Ravenna or Rimini. For the rest of the country, see our Italy guide.
Things to do in Forlì-Cesena
- Piazza Saffi – Forlì's broad main square, with the town hall and the Abbey of San Mercuriale and its tall bell tower.
- Musei San Domenico – a former convent that hosts large, well-regarded art exhibitions, usually in spring.
- Rocca di Ravaldino – the fortress famously defended by Caterina Sforza against Cesare Borgia.
- Forlì's 20th-century architecture – rationalist buildings around Viale della Libertà, part of a European route of the era's architecture.
- Malatestiana Library in Cesena – a 15th-century library with its original reading room, benches and chained books, recognised by UNESCO's Memory of the World register.
- Bertinoro – a hill town known as the balcony of Romagna, with sweeping views and wineries.
- Cesenatico – a seaside town with a port canal said to have been designed with input from Leonardo da Vinci, and a floating museum of historic boats.
- Foreste Casentinesi National Park – ancient beech and fir forests on the Tuscan border, with walking trails and the spa town of Bagno di Romagna nearby.
Ravenna and Rimini are each around 30 minutes away.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Forlì centre | City base on the Bologna to Rimini railway |
| Cesena | Smaller city with the Malatestiana Library and a castle |
| Bertinoro | Hill town with views and wine estates |
| Cesenatico | Beach and port town for summer |
| Bagno di Romagna | Spa town for walking in the Apennines |
Getting there
Bologna airport is the main gateway, with trains from Bologna Centrale to Forlì taking about 40 to 50 minutes. Rimini airport, with seasonal UK flights (check seasonal routes), is around 40 minutes away by road. Forlì and Cesena are both on the main line between Bologna and Rimini, around 15 minutes apart by train.
Best time to visit
Spring is a good time for Forlì's exhibitions and the hills. Summer brings beach season at Cesenatico, while autumn is harvest time in the Romagna hills. Winter is quiet and cool.
Try a piadina from a roadside kiosk, a thin flatbread filled with cured ham, soft squacquerone cheese and rocket.
Top attractions in Forlì
LandmarkColosseum
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LandmarkFlorence Duomo
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NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
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A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Forlì on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Forlì worth visiting?
Yes, especially if there is a major exhibition at San Domenico or you want an authentic Romagna base away from the crowds.
What is the Malatestiana Library?
A 15th-century library in Cesena built for the Malatesta family and preserved with its original furniture and manuscripts.
How far is Forlì from Bologna?
About 40 to 50 minutes by train or roughly an hour by car.
Is there a beach near Forlì?
Yes. Cesenatico, on the Adriatic, is about 30 minutes away by car.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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