Once upon a time, there was a beach, the sea, and a fisherman.

The history of beach clubs in Riccione has distant roots, a story intertwined with the generosity and hospitality of a city that bestowed an unmistakable style upon seaside life. From the mid-19th century, the benefits of sea bathing, especially for treating anemia, began to be understood and promoted. While in much of Italy—with Viareggio as a pioneer—beach tourism spread solely for the benefit of the wealthy classes, Riccione took a different path.

With a charitable and truly pioneering spirit, the first marine hospices for children suffering from tuberculosis were established in Riccione starting in 1861. At the time, Riccione was a small village of fishermen under the jurisdiction of Rimini. It was these very fishermen who gave rise to a new profession: the lifeguard (bagnino). They took care of making the beach accessible, creating equipment such as huts for changing and setting up tents for shade, and taking children out on their boats. At the end of the summer, they would dismantle everything.

What began as health tourism evolved over a few decades into Riccione's main source of prosperity, leading to its independence from Rimini. Even today, Riccione’s lifeguards remain deeply tied to their traditions. This is why, only in Riccione, you can still find traditional sun tents alongside umbrellas, adding a touch of timeless elegance and style even with your feet in the sand.