Le Marche · PU
Gradara
Gradara Castle, the fortress of Paolo and Francesca, above a walled village between the hills and the sea, just inland from Rimini and Cattolica.
Photo: Wwikiwalter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Gradara
Gradara Castle and the walls
Gradara · All year, best early morning or at sunset
The Siege of Gradara Castle
Gradara · July (dates vary)
Christmas at Gradara Castle
Gradara · December weekends and holidays
Bookable tours in Gradara
Tickets, guided tours and tastings with free cancellation on most activities, shown live from GetYourGuide.
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Why go solo
The castle is the reason to come, and it is one of the best preserved in Italy. The village is tiny and safe to walk around, and easy to combine with a day on the Riviera.
Gradara Castle: what to know before you go
Paolo and Francesca
The castle is famous above all for Paolo and Francesca, the lovers of Canto V of Dante's Inferno. Francesca was married to Gianciotto Malatesta and fell in love with his brother Paolo: tradition says their story unfolded – and ended – within these walls. Some even say Francesca's ghost still wanders the rooms.
Inside the castle
The visit crosses the main courtyard and rooms furnished with period pieces, wooden ceilings and frescoes: Francesca's room with its trapdoor, the Council Hall, Lucrezia Borgia's room and the chapel. From the windows you see the village, the hills and the sea.
Tickets and timing
The castle and the walkways on the walls have separate tickets: the first is a state museum, the second is run by the town. Allow about an hour for the castle and half an hour for the walls. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and avoid Sundays in August.
What to see in Gradara
Gradara Castle
The Malatesta fortress where tradition sets the love story of Paolo and Francesca: furnished, frescoed rooms, the courtyard and the keep.
Francesca's room
The most famous room, with the trapdoor Paolo is said to have tried to escape through.
Walkways on the walls
A walk along the village walls with views of the hills and the Adriatic, on a separate ticket.
The Lovers' Walk
The path around the castle walls, the best spot for photos.
How to get there
Train to Cattolica or Pesaro, then a local bus to Gradara (about 20 minutes from Cattolica). By car, park below the village.
Don't miss
The Siege of the Castle (): A medieval re-enactment with battles, fire and shows around the castle. Check dates before you go.
Day trip or overnight?
An easy half-day from the Riviera; sleeping inside the walls gives you the quiet village at night.
Plan your visit
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Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Gradara without a car?
Train to Cattolica or Pesaro, then a local bus to Gradara (about 20 minutes from Cattolica). By car, park below the village.
How much time do you need for Gradara?
Half a day. An easy half-day from the Riviera; sleeping inside the walls gives you the quiet village at night.
When is the best time to visit Gradara?
The best months are April, May, June, September, October, December. Don't miss: The Siege of the Castle (undefined).
How long does it take to visit Gradara Castle?
About an hour for the castle, plus half an hour for the walkways on the village walls.
Does the castle ticket include the walls?
No, the castle and the walkways have separate tickets.
How do you get to Gradara from Rimini?
By train to Cattolica, then a short local bus ride; by car it takes about 30 minutes.
