The name almost certainly comes from ‘arcione’ (saddle). A very long time ago, on the Via Flaminia, a roman road built in 220 a.C, there was a resting area for those who wanted to change their horses. Even Riccione became territory of the Malatesta family, more specifically of the Agolanti family who built a castle placed in the Riccione hills, castle that is now being renewed and transformed into a museum. Today Riccione is known all around the world for its tourism, hospitality, shows and cultural and sporting events. With its’ beach and its’ golden sand, with the sun that warms up each day from dawn till dusk, Riccione is definitely a town dedicated to its’ many guests and tourists.                                                                      
Its’ the ideal place for morning strolls along the sea front. The beach structures all offer numerous services and guarantee safety and relaxation. One can do many sports, such as wind surf, water skiing, canoeing etc. and participate in many games and sports organized every morning on the beach such as aerobics, watergym, etc. For those who want to swim in deep waters, one can rent boats or pedalos available on every beach.
Not to be forgotten is the famous Riccione Terme, renown for its’ water, and situated directly on the beachfront, but not far from the green.

Adriatic gem, vacation city, garden city ...
Everyone of these attributes, which have made it famous all over the world, can be used to describe Riccione. Among the Romagnese beaches it has a flavour all its own. Riccione, which in the 1700's was nothing more than a small country town, was developed with and for the idea of vacation.
It was only towards the end of the last century that public administrations and private businesses began to come up with the notion to construct the seaside city as we know it today: spacious tree lined streets, villas with gardens, parks and of course hotels.

Tourism in Riccione has been quite successful.
Its rapid growth is due to the fact that it offers only quality services, thus making it one of the most popular and frequented tourist destinations in Europe: hundreds of first-class facilities; an enormous white, sandy beach; recreation facilities and water sports of every type; a vivacious center with countless places to shop; a vast calendar of shows and events; and a lively, unforgettable night life.