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

day 1
Arrival in the Historic Core
morning
:

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.

afternoon
:

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.

evening
:

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.

day 2
Medieval and Renaissance Discoveries
morning
:

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.

afternoon
:

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.

evening
:

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.

Cost Guide

Prices

ItemPrice
☕️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.

Piazza Aurelio Saffi

The central square framed by historic buildings, cafés and arcades — ideal for street scenes, architectural shots and golden-hour light.

Cathedral of San Mercuriale

Exterior and bell tower offer classical lines and details; climb nearby vantage points for views across the old town.

Palazzo Romagnoli and historic façades

Museum buildings and palazzi with intricate stonework and colorful shutters provide atmospheric urban photography.

Parco di Via Dragoni and riverside spots

Green spaces and riverbanks near the city have reflective water scenes, ducks, trees and seasonal colors — good for nature and family photography.

Brisighella and Vena del Gesso

Short drive from Forlì, the medieval village and gypsum ridge offer dramatic landscapes, narrow alleys and panoramic viewpoints.

Culinary Guide

Food in Forlì

Forlì's cuisine reflects Romagna and Emilia traditions: rich pasta, handmade egg pastas, cured meats, and desserts. Ingredients are simple and high-quality—olive oil, cured prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano from the region, local wines and vinegars. Dining is relaxed and seasonal; many dishes revolve around fresh produce, legumes, and pork products. The area also supports agriturismi (farm stays) and family-run trattorie where recipes are generational.

Forlì Famous Food

Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food

Passatelli in brodo

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!

Cappelletti and Tortellini

Stuffed egg-pasta filled with meat or cheese, served in broth or with butter and sage; available at family-run restaurants and osterie.

Mortadella and local salumi

Cured meats from Emilia-Romagna; excellent at delis, food markets and as antipasti in restaurants.

Piadina (nearby Romagna specialty)

Flatbread folded with cheese, cold cuts or greens; widely available at kiosks, markets and casual eateries around Forlì.

Food Markets

Explore local food markets

Mercato Coperto (Covered Market)

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 outdoor markets

Weekly open-air markets sell seasonal fruits, vegetables, local pasta and pastries; street vendors often sell piadina and quick snacks popular with locals.

Climate Guide

Weather

Forlì has a humid subtropical to temperate climate: hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters with occasional fog. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, though autumn can be wet. Winters seldom see heavy snow in the plain but nearby mountains receive snow suitable for winter sports. Rain is fairly evenly spread through the year with a slight peak in autumn.

How to Behave

Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior

Greetings and politeness

Use polite greetings (Buongiorno, Buonasera) when entering shops or restaurants. Italians value courtesy and formal address in first meetings; a handshake is common.

Dining manners

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.

Appropriate dress

Casual dress is fine around town, but dress more conservatively when visiting churches (shoulders and knees covered).

Noise and behavior

Romagnoli are warm and expressive, but loud, disruptive behavior in public spaces and late-night noise in residential areas is frowned upon.

Safety Guide

Safety

Forlì is generally safe for visitors; petty theft like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas—keep valuables secure. Use common-sense precautions at night in quieter neighborhoods, avoid poorly lit alleys, and be cautious of traffic when crossing streets. Emergency services are accessible; keep local emergency numbers and your embassy/consulate contact if traveling from abroad.

Tipping in Forlì

Ensure a smooth experience

Tipping Etiquette

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.

Payment Methods

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...

Spring

Mild temperatures, blooming parks and comfortable conditions for sightseeing and hiking in nearby hills; prices are moderate and outdoor cafes reopen fully.

Summer

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.

Autumn

Pleasant weather, harvest season for wines and chestnuts, excellent for food-focused travel, vineyard visits and forest hikes in the Apennines with fall foliage.

Winter

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.

Nightlife Guide

Forlì at Night

Forlì's nightlife is relaxed and community-driven: evenings center on aperitivo bars, wine bars and small live-music venues. Clubs and late-night scenes are modest compared with nearby Rimini; university events and seasonal festivals add variety. Expect bars to stay lively until late, but public spaces quiet down sooner than big tourist cities.

Hiking in Forlì

Immerse in an unforgettable hike.

Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park

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).

Vena del Gesso Romagnola (Brisighella area)

Distinctive gypsum ridge with panoramic trails above the medieval town of Brisighella — short drives from Forlì and very scenic for photography and walking.

Apennine foothills routes

Network of local paths and country lanes leading to small villages, chestnut woods and vineyard landscapes ideal for half-day walks and cycling.

Corno alle Scale (for longer trips)

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.

Forlì 'Luigi Ridolfi' Airport (FRL)

Small regional airport close to the city that has had intermittent commercial flights; convenient if flights are available, otherwise limited scheduled services.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)

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.

Rimini Federico Fellini Airport (RMI)

Approximately 60-80 km southeast on the Adriatic coast; useful for low-cost carriers and summertime coastal connections, reachable by train or car.

Florence Peretola Airport (FLR)

About 90-120 km southwest; offers domestic and some international flights and is an option for visitors combining Tuscany with Romagna.

Getting Around

Walkability

The historic center of Forlì is compact and very walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets, squares and short distances between major sights. Some attractions and countryside spots require buses or a car, but within town most errands and dining can be done on foot.

Demographics

Explore demographics in this area.

Local Romagnoli

Long-standing local families who maintain regional traditions, cuisine and dialect; generally warm and community-focused.

Students and Young Professionals

University of Bologna has a campus and programs in Forlì, bringing students and academic staff that enliven cultural and nightlife scenes.

Elderly population

Like many Italian provincial towns, Forlì has a significant older population, reflected in community life and weekday rhythms.

Immigrant communities

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 (Soccer)

Football is the dominant sport with local amateur and semi-professional clubs; matchdays and local youth teams are central to community life.

Cycling

Road cycling and mountain biking are popular, supported by scenic routes on the plains and challenging climbs in the Apennines.

Motorsports and Motorcycling

The Emilia-Romagna region has a rich motorsport culture (Imola, Misano nearby) and many locals follow motorcycle and car racing closely.

Basketball and Volleyball

Team sports like basketball and volleyball are commonly played at school and local club levels.

Transportation

Traffic

Traffic in Forlì is moderate; the historic center restricts car access in many areas making walking or biking easier. Peak hours can see congestion on arterial roads and roundabouts leading to and from the A14 motorway. Regional trains and buses connect Forlì to Bologna, Rimini and nearby towns—train is often the fastest and most reliable option for intercity travel. Renting a car is convenient for exploring rural and mountain areas where public transport is infrequent.

Accomodations

Find the best place to stay when visiting Forlì.

Dietary Restrictions

Tips for restricted diets.

Vegetarian

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

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

Gluten-free options are increasingly available (gluten-free pasta and pizza); inform staff about celiac needs — many places can accommodate with notice.

Allergies

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.

Health & Medical

Healthcare

Forlì has public hospitals and clinics; the 'Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni' serves the area with emergency and specialist care. Pharmacies ('farmacie') are common and often have set opening hours with a staffed night/holiday rota—look for the posted 'farmacia di turno.' EU citizens should carry their EHIC/GHIC; non-EU travelers should have travel insurance covering medical evacuation.

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