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1717 of 17 · Rimini, Riviera and Conca Valley Fortresses and castles Free

Torre Saracena di Bellaria

The last coastal watchtower to retain its original appearance: inside, a spiral staircase and a shell museum.

It was built in 1673 to defend the coast from raids from the sea. Of the six towers of this type that once stood along the shoreline, this is the only one that preserves its original features.

It has three vaulted floors, connected by a beautiful internal spiral staircase. It's small but evocative: it gives you a sense of how the sentries who watched over the sea lived.

On the upper floors there's the Shell Museum, which children particularly enjoy. It's part of the museums of the town of Bellaria Igea Marina, along with the Casa Rossa of the writer Alfredo Panzini and the vintage radio museum.

The tower opens in summer, in the evening, when the seafront is busiest: admission is free, so it's an easy stop after a day at the beach.

Don't miss

  1. The internal spiral staircase
  2. The Shell Museum
  3. The Casa Rossa of Alfredo Panzini, nearby
Torre Saracena, Bellaria
Torre Saracena, Bellaria · Photo: Stefano Bolognini, Attribution, Wikimedia Commons

Official site Call Send a postcard

Opening hours and phone numbers read on the official sites on 15 October 2026. They change with the seasons and holidays: always check before you go.

On the castles page

Getting to Bellaria-Igea Marina

Romagna Transfer brings you here from the airport, the station or your hotel, with a driver and no parking worries.

Book your transfer

Service by Romagna Transfer. Their site opens.