Forli is one of the hidden gems of Italy that waits to be discovered. Read this article to find out what to do in Forli in one day!
Emilia Romagna is a magnificent region in Italy that is known for its delicious cuisine, divine nature, and hospitality of locals (Romagnoli).
I had a chance to travel throughout the country, but to me, Emilia Romagna is still one of the best places in Italy.
Unfortunately, it has often been overshadowed by more famous destinations like Venice, the Amalfi coast, and Rome.
And many international tourists have never even heard of this wonderful region.
But if you landed on this page, then you’re probably looking for hidden gems of Italy to diversify your vacation.
And, if I guessed it right, you should definitely visit Emilia Romagna, and particularly the city called Forli!
Forli is a lovely town and the capital of Forli-Cesena province, with rich history and a marvelous atmosphere.
With a population of 118 thousand people, Forli is relatively small compared to Bologna. But that’s exactly what makes it especially enchanting!
So, if you want to travel slowly and without a rush, that’s where you should go!
I truly believe that Forli is a hidden gem of Italy, and in this article, I’ll tell you how to spend a delightful day in this beautiful town.
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How to Get to Forli Italy?
When people spend their vacation in Emilia Romagna, they usually prefer to stay on the Adriatic coast or in Bologna.
If you stay in Bologna, the train is the easiest and fastest way to get to Forli. It’ll take you less than one hour.
You can find the real-time schedule and purchase a ticket online on the official Trenitalia website.
For those, who decided in favor of the Adriatic coast, I would recommend renting a car. Skyscanner usually has some amazing deals.
So, whether you stay in Rimini, Riccione, or Cesenatico, you’ll make it to Forli in 50 minutes.
And yes, Forli does have an airport, but it’s small and operates flights to Sicily, Poland, and Albania only.
Things to Do in Forli in One Day
Did you know that one of Bologna’s University departments is located in Forli? Yep, that’s right.
That’s why Forli is mostly known for being a student city. So, don’t be surprised if you hear people speaking English on the streets more often than Italian.
I spent one semester in this wonderful town myself, and let me tell you something. Forli is more than a student city.
It has interesting historical sights, beautiful churches, and delicious food to try, while its relatively small size makes it a great one-day trip destination. So, go there and enjoy your slow travel experience.
And to make your trip planning easier, I’ve already crafted a detailed itinerary for you with everything you should see and do.
So, here is how you can spend one day in Forli!
1. Have Breakfast in Ca’Leoni
Assuming that you come to Forli in the morning, start your day at Ca’Leoni!
This place is Bread and Breakfast, which means that it works as caffeteria and bakery at the same time.
So, locals come here not only to have breakfast but also to buy bread or focaccia right from the oven.
In Ca’Leoni, you can have a typical Italian breakfast that consists of freshly-baked pastry and cappuccino or espresso.
Croissant with whipped cream and berries is my absolute favorite, but other pastries are also delicious.
If you’re a sweet tooth, there is also a great selection of cookies.
Even though I recommend Ca’Leoni as a breakfast place, it works throughout the day, also serving lunches and aperitivo.
In the evening, it gets especially packed. And when the place is full, in Italy, it’s always a sign of superb quality.
2. Stop By Piazza Saffi
Right after breakfast, walk straight to the heart of Forli – to its main square called Piazza Saffi.
Being over two thousand years old, Piazza Saffi is a true showcase of architecture and history.
The piazza is surrounded by the town hall, post office, and various palaces, with the monument dedicated to Aurelio Saffi, an Italian patriot and politician who was born in Forli.
Piazza Saffi is one of the biggest squares in Italy that lived through many crucial historical events.
The square was heavily damaged during the bombing in 1944. But after careful restoration, it was reborn just like a phoenix from the ashes.
Today, Piazza Saffi is the town’s center where all festivities and celebrations take place. In the winter, the piazza transforms into a Christmas market so much loved by locals.
While throughout the year, that’s the place for food festivals and local markets.
3. Visit Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione
If you turn around, you’ll notice a yellow-stoned church with gorgeous ornaments. It’s Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione.
The construction of the building started in 1723 but was completed only in 1933. Interestingly, its facade looks exactly like Sant’Andrea al Quirinale in Rome.
Inside, the church has frescoes, paintings on the walls, and a magnificent vault. The elliptical plan is what makes it especially remarkable.
Personally, I think that outside Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione is more impressive than inside. But it’s still absolutely worth a visit!
4. Marvel at Frescoes in Cattedrale di Santa Croce
I’ve seen many stunning cathedrals in Italy, but Cattedrale di Santa Croce remains one of my favorite ones.
The Cathedral’s origins remain shredded in mystery, and historians debate to this day about the exact date of its construction.
Some say it’s the 10th century, others reckon that it dates way back to the 5th century.
What we know for sure is that with centuries passing by, the Cathedral experienced plenty of damage, and its extensive reconstruction started in 1840.
For the Cathedral’s current majestic appearance, we should be grateful to Giulio Zambianchi, a young architect who was born in Forli.
Zambianchi completed his studies in Rome and took great inspiration from the Pantheon when crafting a project for Cattedrale di Santa Croce.
Even if you look at the Cathedral’s facade now, you can see how similar it actually is to the Pantheon.
I said previously that Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione is more impressive outside than inside. Well, in the case of Cattedrale di Santa Croce, it’s quite the opposite.
Inside, the Cathedral is more spectacular than outside. So, don’t miss a chance to see it for yourself.
5. Have a Stroll in Giardini Orselli
Right next to the Cattedrale di Santa Croce you can see a lovely garden called Giardini Orselli.
The garden is quite small, but it’s surrounded by charming houses that create a truly marvelous atmosphere.
Giardini Orselli is a wonderful place to have a peaceful stroll or sit on a bench and just cherish the moment.
Right in the center of the garden, you can see a restaurant called Benso Pubblica Ristorazione. Locals go there to have lunch or aperitivo with friends or just for a coffee break.
By the way, if you want to do some shopping, you’re in the right place!
There are plenty of boutiques next to the garden where you can find beautiful clothes from local designers.
6. Stop By Abbazia di San Mercuriale
After Giardini Orselli, go back to Piazza Saffi and find an impressive abbey with a tower.
Abbazia di San Mercuriale is another popular landmark and, I would even dare to say, an icon of Forli.
This abbey is an extraordinary example of religious and artistic value that dates back to the 12th century.
The church’s facade is built in the Romanesque style, and the magnificent arch with marble decorations will catch your eye from the moment you see it.
Once you walk inside, you’ll also notice how gorgeous, ancient, and well-preserved the abbey is.
An elegant cloister that you can see outside, next to the tower, is another jewel of the abbey’s complex. Every time I pass by, I feel that I magically ended up in the Harry Potter movie set.
It’s a wonderful location with a great view of the Piazza Saffi, where you can sit and take a peek at the life of locals.
7. Have Lunch in Biancofarina
When it’s lunchtime, pop by Biancofarina to try the traditional food of Emilia Romagna.
It’s a relatively small place where you can enjoy a plate of freshly cooked pasta or give a try to piadina, crescioni, or rotolini.
Piadina is Romagna’s flatbread that you can eat separately or as a sandwich with different stuffings. The best combinations are squacquerone cheese with figs or prosciutto crudo (raw ham) with squacquerone cheese and ruccola.
Crescioni is a version of piadina, but it’s closed and filled with different ingredients. The best combinations to try is pomodoro (tomato paste), mozzarella, salame piccante, and gorgonzola.
Rotolini is basically a Romagna wrap. Juicy and insanely delicious!
For those who opt for pasta, order gnocchi con zucca e salsiccia (with pumpkin and sausage) or gnocchi con gorgonzola e noci (with gorgonzola and walnuts).
Whatever your preference is, the food at Biancofarina won’t disappoint you, trust me!
8. Learn About Forli’s History in Musei di San Domenico
If you’re a history geek, I highly recommend visiting Musei di San Domenico.
Of course, it can’t be compared to the world-famous Uffizzi Galery or the Vatican Museums.
However, it provides a decent overview of Forli’s history together with the masterpieces of local artists of ancient and modern times.
From my experience, Musei di San Domenico impressed me more than some museums in Bologna. I was especially fascinated by the exhibition that depicted Forli in the 50s.
So, if you want to learn more about Forli’s history, spend several hours exploring exhibitions in Musei di San Domenico.
9. Pass By Teatro Diego Fabbri
Forli is a wonderful town for slow travel where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere.
That’s why just get lost in its little streets and admire its stunning architecture.
One of the monumental buildings that you may see in Forli is Teatro Diego Fabbri. It’s located at Corso Diaz 47, near Piazza Saffi.
As the Center of cultural life, Teatro Diego Fabbri offers a rich selection of venues to its visitors, from contemporary musicals to classical ballet.
10. Look Out For Graffiti
And, while exploring the city, pay attention to the walls!
Forli has a graffiti culture, and you can discover many interesting art pieces all around the town.
Considering that Forli is a student city, I think that graffiti adds a creative and modern touch to medieval streets.
How to Spend a Day in Forli Italy: FAQs
How Big is Forli?
Compared to major Italian cities, Forli is small, with only 118 thousand citizens. You can easily explore it in just one day.
What to Do in Forli?
Forli is a beautiful destination for slow travel where you can visit historical sights and try delicious local cuisine.
