Festa della Piadina: Bellaria’s Flatbread Feast by the Sea

Each September, Bellaria-Igea Marina serves up giant piadine, live music, and seaside smiles in a weekend-long celebration of Romagna’s favorite bite.

FEASTS&FESTIVALSEMILIA ROMAGNA

Piadina romagnola with ham
Piadina romagnola with ham

Region: Emilia
Province / Closest City: Rimini / Bellaria-Igea Marina
Title: Festa della Piadina – Flatbread, Music, and Romagnola Smiles

In September, Bellaria-Igea Marina has the scent of hot flatbread and sea air about it. Festa della Piadina is a two-day festival of the Romagna region's most beloved street food, where locals and visitors come together to sample, dance, and cheer to the simple recipe that has nourished the generations.

Origins and Meaning:
Romagna's bread has always been the piadina—product of peasant creativity and prepared on testi, or clay plates, over wood-burning fires. The festival started in the early 2000s to celebrate the dish and the culture surrounding the dish, from generationally transmitted family recipes to the coastside chioschi lining the roadways. It's a nod to Romagna's hospitality and love of table culture.

Atmosphere of
The town center becomes one giant open-air bakery. Mega piadine—in some cases over a meter in diameter—get prepared in front of the crowd, and dozens of stalls dish up every possible variation: the classic squacquerone e rucola, prosciutto, grilled vegetable, and dessert versions with Nutella or jam. Romagnola folk music is played by live bands, kids participate in dough-kneading workshops, and dance groups do traditional liscio dancing in the piazza.

What to Expect and How to Join:
The festival usually takes place in early September over a weekend. Entry is free, and you can buy tokens to exchange for food at the stalls. Expect generous portions and long lines at the most popular stands. Evening concerts and fireworks close each day with a festive flourish.

Address: Piazza Matteotti, Bellaria-Igea Marina, Rimini Province

How to Get There:

By car: From Rimini take SS16 Adriatica going north; approximately 14 km (20 minutes).

By public transport: Train connections are available from Rimini to Bellaria in 15–20 minutes; the piazza is a short walking distance away from the terminal.

Nearby Food & Stay:
Stay at Hotel Paris for a family-owned and comfortable experience or Blu Suite Hotel for a view of the beach. Apart from piadina, opt for cappelletti in brodo or passatelli in local trattorias.

Conclusion:
More than a food festival, the Festa della Piadina is a hug of Romagnola hospitality in flatbread form. Arrive with an appetite, linger over the music, and depart with the flavor of tradition still on your lips.