Things To Do
in Forlì
Forlì is a mid-sized city in the Romagna subregion of Emilia-Romagna, blending Renaissance architecture, lively piazzas and practical modern urban life. Once an important papal and agricultural center, it now hosts cultural institutions, museums and a university campus that give the city a youthful energy. Forlì sits on the fertile Po plain close to the Apennines, making it a convenient base for exploring both seaside Romagna and nearby mountain parks.
Visitors will find relaxed cafés, local markets, and a straightforward, authentic Italian provincial atmosphere rather than heavy tourist crowds.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive in Forlì and settle into your accommodation in the heart of the city. Start your day with a cappuccino and pastry at a café on Piazza Aurelio Saffi while watching local life unfold. Stroll through the surrounding medieval alleys to get your first glimpse of the city’s ornate architecture.
Explore the Duomo of Forlì and admire the Renaissance frescoes within its chapel. Visit Palazzo Comunale and learn about the town’s history through its grand halls and art collections. Pause at a gelateria to sample creamy flavors made with local fruit.
Enjoy an aperitivo in one of the piazzas as the sun casts golden light on Renaissance facades. Dine at a traditional trattoria serving handmade passatelli or tagliatelle with ragù. Take a leisurely post-dinner walk to appreciate the illuminated towers and decorative porticoes.
Begin at the imposing Rocca di Ravaldino with a guided tour around its ancient walls and panoramic terraces. Learn about the fortress’s role in local conflicts while admiring views over the city rooftops. Capture photos of the crenellated towers against a clear sky.
Head to the Musei di San Domenico to explore art exhibitions ranging from Baroque paintings to contemporary installations. Wander through the cloistered courtyards where monks once walked in silent contemplation. Enjoy a moment of quiet in the museum café courtyard beneath flowering wisteria.
Attend a performance at Teatro Diego Fabbri, testing the local schedule for an opera, play, or concert. Savor dinner at an osteria nearby, sampling regional salumi and cheeses with a glass of Sangiovese. End your evening with a slow walk back through the lantern-lit streets of the historic center.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| ☕️Coffee (espresso) | $1.50-2.50 |
| 🍝Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $10-15 |
| 🍽️Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $40-70 |
| 🚇Local bus/taxi ride | $1.50-15 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $70-120 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic Italian provincial atmosphere without heavy tourist crowds
- Excellent local food traditions and proximity to both sea and mountains
- Reasonable prices compared with major Italian tourist cities
- Good base for day trips across Romagna and the Apennines
- Limited nightlife and fewer tourist services compared with big cities
- Public transport to some rural/hill areas can be infrequent
- Some cultural attractions have restricted opening hours (check before visiting)
- Summer can be hot and humid on the plains
- "Buongiorno / Buonasera" - Good morning / Good evening
- "Per favore" - Please
- "Grazie" - Thank you
- "Dove è il bagno?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Quanto costa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Parla inglese?" - Do you speak English?
- "Mi scusi / Scusa" - Excuse me / Sorry
- "Aiuto!" - Help!
Places to Visit in Forlì
Visit one of these nice places.
The central square framed by historic buildings, cafés and arcades — ideal for street scenes, architectural shots and golden-hour light.
Exterior and bell tower offer classical lines and details; climb nearby vantage points for views across the old town.
Museum buildings and palazzi with intricate stonework and colorful shutters provide atmospheric urban photography.
Green spaces and riverbanks near the city have reflective water scenes, ducks, trees and seasonal colors — good for nature and family photography.
Short drive from Forlì, the medieval village and gypsum ridge offer dramatic landscapes, narrow alleys and panoramic viewpoints.
Food in Forlì
Forlì Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A traditional Romagna dish of breadcrumbs, grated Parmigiano, egg and lemon formed into thick noodles, usually served in a rich meat broth; commonly found in local trattorie and during colder months.
Must-Try!
Stuffed egg-pasta filled with meat or cheese, served in broth or with butter and sage; available at family-run restaurants and osterie.
Cured meats from Emilia-Romagna; excellent at delis, food markets and as antipasti in restaurants.
Flatbread folded with cheese, cold cuts or greens; widely available at kiosks, markets and casual eateries around Forlì.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Forlì's covered market near the center offers fresh produce, cheeses, cured meats and small stands — a great spot for sampling local ingredients and grabbing a quick piadina or focaccia.
Weekly open-air markets sell seasonal fruits, vegetables, local pasta and pastries; street vendors often sell piadina and quick snacks popular with locals.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Use polite greetings (Buongiorno, Buonasera) when entering shops or restaurants. Italians value courtesy and formal address in first meetings; a handshake is common.
Meals are social—don’t rush. Wait for the host to start, keep hands on the table (not elbows), and finish what you order as portions are often generous and seen as polite to finish.
Casual dress is fine around town, but dress more conservatively when visiting churches (shoulders and knees covered).
Romagnoli are warm and expressive, but loud, disruptive behavior in public spaces and late-night noise in residential areas is frowned upon.
Safety
Tipping in Forlì
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping in Italy is modest: service is often included in the bill as 'servizio' or a cover charge 'coperto.' For good table service leave 5-10% or small change; round up taxi fares and leave small tips for porters and hotel housekeeping.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and many restaurants, but small markets, kiosks and rural establishments may prefer cash. Contactless payments (contactless cards, Apple/Google Pay) are increasingly common in urban areas.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Mild temperatures, blooming parks and comfortable conditions for sightseeing and hiking in nearby hills; prices are moderate and outdoor cafes reopen fully.
Hot, sometimes humid days—ideal for quick trips to the Adriatic coast (Rimini, Cesenatico) or evening passeggiate; book accommodation early for peak months and expect lively outdoor dining.
Pleasant weather, harvest season for wines and chestnuts, excellent for food-focused travel, vineyard visits and forest hikes in the Apennines with fall foliage.
Cooler, sometimes rainy and foggy on the plain; mountain areas get snow—good for thermal spa visits, museum hours and quieter city visits, though some rural businesses may reduce hours.
Forlì at Night
Hiking in Forlì
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A vast protected area in the Apennines with extensive trails, ancient beech forests, waterfalls and mountain refuges — excellent for day hikes and multi-day treks (about 40-90 km depending on entry point).
Distinctive gypsum ridge with panoramic trails above the medieval town of Brisighella — short drives from Forlì and very scenic for photography and walking.
Network of local paths and country lanes leading to small villages, chestnut woods and vineyard landscapes ideal for half-day walks and cycling.
A higher-elevation destination in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines offering alpine-style trails and scenic viewpoints; suitable for day trips if starting early or staying overnight.
Airports
How to reach Forlì by plane.
Small regional airport close to the city that has had intermittent commercial flights; convenient if flights are available, otherwise limited scheduled services.
Main international airport for Emilia-Romagna, about 70-80 km northwest of Forlì; well connected by train and bus to Forlì and offers the most flight options.
Approximately 60-80 km southeast on the Adriatic coast; useful for low-cost carriers and summertime coastal connections, reachable by train or car.
About 90-120 km southwest; offers domestic and some international flights and is an option for visitors combining Tuscany with Romagna.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Long-standing local families who maintain regional traditions, cuisine and dialect; generally warm and community-focused.
University of Bologna has a campus and programs in Forlì, bringing students and academic staff that enliven cultural and nightlife scenes.
Like many Italian provincial towns, Forlì has a significant older population, reflected in community life and weekday rhythms.
Growing immigrant populations from Eastern Europe, North Africa and Asia contribute to local businesses, shops and cultural diversity.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Football is the dominant sport with local amateur and semi-professional clubs; matchdays and local youth teams are central to community life.
Road cycling and mountain biking are popular, supported by scenic routes on the plains and challenging climbs in the Apennines.
The Emilia-Romagna region has a rich motorsport culture (Imola, Misano nearby) and many locals follow motorcycle and car racing closely.
Team sports like basketball and volleyball are commonly played at school and local club levels.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Forlì.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are available—look for vegetable-based primi (pasta), risotti and salads; restaurants are accustomed to simple substitutions but may have fewer vegan-specific options in smaller trattorie.
Vegan choices are more limited but possible in cafés and modern restaurants; request olive oil instead of butter/cheese and ask about broths (many traditional soups use meat broth).
Gluten-free options are increasingly available (gluten-free pasta and pizza); inform staff about celiac needs — many places can accommodate with notice.
Carry allergy cards in Italian for clear communication; staff in larger restaurants and markets can usually explain ingredients but always double-check with small vendors.