BA launches new Italian routes from London – including ‘underrated’ spot

Nestled just south of the more popular Bologna lies the stunning Medieval city of Rimini.

Though it’s previously been slightly harder to access with less frequent flights, British Airways has just launched three new routes from London to Italy – and one of them ticks off the underrated Adriatic Riviera.

The routes are set to start in 2025, with flights between Heathrow and Rimini beginning on May 15 and operating until September 27 in line with the peak summer season.

Meanwhile, Salerno in the Italian region of Campania will also launch on May 22, with flights in place until October 25 – when temperatures remain in the region of 23C.

And, though it’s not necessarily a new route, Olbia is seeing extra flights added from London City through BA.

These routes will operate between May 25, but will initially only be available on Sundays until a Wednesday flight launches on July 16. Again, these will be in place during the busiest season, until September 28.

And 2024 is clearly the year Rimini is getting its flowers, as the northern Italian city was named one of the most ‘underrated’ European cities to visit – in third place, behind Vigo in Spain and Leipzig in Germany.

To determine the trending cities, Skyscanner commissioned a study of 2,000 UK participants and analysed data on millions of searches for both flights and hotels.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to Rimini, from things to do to when to visit.

Things to do in Rimini

Found along the Adriatic coast in the foodie region of Emilia-Romagna, Rimini is perhaps most famous for its Medieval history.

But the story of the city goes even further back, as it was also settled by both the Etruscans and the Romans. However, much of the city’s legacy can be attributed to the Malatesta family, who ruled the city for 200 years between the 13^th and 15^th centuries.

During their reign, the city became a crucial economic and cultural hub, which was reflected in the construction of the Castel Sismondo in Piazza Malatesta as well as the Malatesta Temple, both of which remain open to the public today.

The Malatesta Temple was never finished, but it remains inundated with countless religious artefacts, alongside a famous crucifix designed by Giotto.

Elsewhere, anyone familiar with Emilia-Romagna will know it to be the ultimate foodie destination, boasting cities including Bologna (famously the home of mortadella, or as the Americans call their closely inspired version, baloney).

Since Emilia-Romagna is bordered by the Tuscan hills, acres of growing fields, and the Adriatic coast, visitors can expect to enjoy a hearty range of meats, vegetables and fish during their stay.

As such, there’s an abundance of top-notch restaurants in Rimini, including Vicolo, Osteria io e Simone, and La Esse Romagnola.

And if you’re visiting during the high season, Rimini also boasts a stunning array of beaches – though these aren’t so much used by locals, who tend to flock in favour of neighbouring Emilia-Romagna coastal spots like Cesenatico and Lido di Classe, which, as one Reddit user previously put it, have ‘crystal [clear] water.’

When to visit Rimini

Naturally, the time of year you visit Rimini hugely depends on what kind of weather you’re after.

In July and August, temperatures in the Emilia-Romagna region typically reach a balmy 24C to 25C – so if you’re after a tan, the summer will be your best bet.

However, it’s equally beautiful during the winter, and if you’re a fan of snow, the mercury usually dips down to around 6C in January.

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