Marche

Thanks to its generous nature, its extraordinary historical-artistic heritage and food-and-wine itineraries that criss-cross it far and wide, Le Marche has now established itself as the destination of choice for slow and sustainable tourism in Italy. From the Sibillini Mountains to the beaches of the Conero, here will find, even in peak season and at reasonably affordable rates, vistas and oases of peace and beauty worth exploring slowly, listening to the rhythms of nature and staying in the area's typical dwellings. Many B&Bs and agritourisms in the Marche region preserve within their walls the true spirit and traditions of an ancient region that is so closely linked to its environment. We have selected for you 5 charming destinations in Le Marche immersed in nature, for your ideal summer in Le Marche.

Thanks to its 70,000 hectares, the Sibillini Mountains National Park (between Umbria and the Marche regions) is a true treasure trove of biodiversity due to the alternating presence of wetlands in the valleys, and thick forests and wonderful plateaus such as that of Castelluccio di Norcia, famous for the flowering of lentils. There are many charming villages nestled in a unique landscape that changes according to the seasons at the various altitudes. In fact, there are many peaks in this area that are beyond 2000 meters of altitude above sea level and among them there are Mount Sibilla Mountain, Mount Bove Mountain and the Redentore Peak.

Looking for the best way to immerse yourself in the most authentic atmosphere of Le Marche? Look no further than the traditional Duke’s Festival in Urbino, held in August (10 to 14 August this year), which attracts visitors and enthusiasts every year with a brand-new theme. Urbino actually dedicates more than one event to the Duke! All dates for the diary. What are the dates of the Duke's Festival in Urbino? His birthday is celebrated on 7 June, while in December the city hosts the two-day Winter Festival. Keep an eye on the event website.

The splendid City of Loreto, tucked inside the countryside of the Marches Region, owes its fame to the Sanctuary (or Basilica) where the Santa Casa della Vergine Maria (Shrine of the Holy House of the Virgin Mary) is preserved and venerated. It is a holy place defined by Pope John Paul II as “the true Marian heart of Christianity”. The sanctuary has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Catholic faith for centuries, having been visited by approximately 200 saints and beatified persons, as well as by numerous Popes. According to ancient tradition, and today substantiated by historical and archaeological research, the Santa Casa is the house from Nazareth where the Virgin Mary was born, educated, and where she received the Annunciation. The house was composed of one room in masonry, with three walls in stone placed so as to enclose a rock cavern. This cavern is worshipped by pilgrims who flock to Nazareth, that is to the Basilica of the Annunciation, while the three stone walls, as legend has it, were brought to Italy (first passing through Illyria) by crusaders expelled from Palestine in 1291. The walls arrived in Loreto in 1294. Not only, but documents and archaeological excavations have continued to reinforce the hypothesis that the walls of the Santa Casa were transported to Loreto by ship, an initiative undertaken by the Angeli Family, nobles who ruled over Epirus at the time.

A farmer on his way back from the fields, an ancient Roman on a road heading North, a never-forgotten champion holding the handlebar with all his might. What about you? Who are you dreaming to be? The hinterland in Le Marche plays the main role in the second to last stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the coast-to-coast race in which the cycling top contenders face off. The itinerary we are describing in these lines, however, lends itself to the (perhaps down-scaled) effort of the cycling enthusiasts. The merit goes to its mild slopes, immersed in the woods or surrounded by sunflower fields, its artistic richness and its wide culinary offer. Who among you, once off the bike, can say ‘no’ to a dish of cold cuts paired with some Vernaccia?

The events linked to the origins of Macerata tell the tale of the arduous origins of a city now surrounded by peaceful, fertile countryside. The city of Macerata was founded by refugees fleeing the destruction of the Roman settlement Helvia Rìcina. It became a municipality in 1138 and an episcopal see in 1320. During the last two decades of the 16th century, Macerata's fame spread beyond the borders of Italy to China, when the learned priest Matteo Ricci left his native city to embark on missions in the Far East, becoming the first member of his religious order to be accepted at the Ming imperial court. Ricci, a Jesuit, had a huge influence on China. By the time of his death in Beijing in 1610, there were 300 Christian churches in China. In the meantime, Ricci's native city had begun to acquire the genteel, measured dignity for which it is still known today. The historic centre is entirely surrounded by the city walls, which were built during the 15th and 16th centuries and still virtually intact, giving Macerata the characteristic charm typical of Italian provincial cities. Macerata has its own opera and theatre season and is also a thriving university town: as genteel and peaceful as the city may appear, it's anything but dull! The sober elegance of the city centre opens onto the marvellous neoclassical Sferisterio, an open-air stadium built for the ancient ball game "pallone a bracciale”, which is now a venue for operatic performances and international events. Strolling through the city centre, you can admire historic buildings and churches in the Mannerist and Baroque styles, in the area around Piazza della Libertà. The four sides of the piazza bear signs of the city's refinement, with the City Hall, the 16th-century Apostolic Palace (now housing the Prefecture), the Civic Tower with its astronomical clock, the "Loggia dei Mercanti" (Merchants' Lodge) and Palazzo Ricci, with its 20th-century art collection featuring works by artists including Medardo Rosso, Balla, Boccioni, De Chirico and Burri, to name a few. On the same square, next to the Church of San Paolo, is an imposing archway marking the entrance to the University, one of the oldest in the world. Its academic faculties, one following another in via Don Minzoni since 1540, form a city within the city. Via Don Minzoni is also where you will find the beautiful Palazzo Buonaccorsi, home to the public museums with their collections of historic art, modern art, and the Carriage Museum. Here you can also admire the splendid frescoed vault of the Aeneid Hall, and don't miss Tintoretto's famous "Adoration of the Magi", which once embellished the beautiful church of Santa Maria delle Vergini, with its tapering octagonal dome, located about 2 km from Porta Picena. And the food? The fabulous flavours of the local produce are just waiting to be discovered.

Ancona: sentinel on the Adriatic Sea At the northern end of the Conero promontory, the city of Ancona stands on a natural harbour dominating a wide stretch of the Adriatic coast. Its historical centre, a few metres from the ferry embarkation point, holds art treasures, beautiful buildings and that liveliness that only port cities possess. To be discovered on foot, from the port to the Duomo, to the Cardeto park and the Passetto beach, where Ancona's inhabitants go to enjoy the sea, Ancona is a city that knows how to amaze. A stroll through historical sights and the sea view Upon arrival in Ancona, by car or from the station, one of the first monuments to attract attention is the pentagonal building at the entrance to the old port, the so-called Mole Vanvitelliana, named after its architect Luigi Vanvitelli, built as a lazaret for quarantine of people and goods coming from overseas, now converted to a space for cultural events. Continuing towards the maritime station, one can see the 15th-century Palazzo Benincasa and the Loggia dei Mercanti, the most important secular building in flamboyant Venetian Gothic style. Entering the historical centre, along Viale Mazzini, you can see the Renaissance Fontana del Calamo or Tredici Cannelle, with its bronze masks. Heading up towards the acropolis, after visiting the Mercato delle erbe (Herb Market), Art Nouveau structure in iron and cast iron, you will see the beautiful Church of Gesù, also by Vanvitelli, overlooking the sea. Next, the Roman Amphitheatre, rediscovered in the 19th century, and the Cathedral of St Ciriaco, Roman-Gothic basilica built on the remains of a temple dedicated to Venus and an early Christian basilica: spectacularly dominating the city and port. If you walk down towards the old harbour you can see the Arch of Trajan from the 2nd century AD and the Clementine Arch, an 18th-century work by Vanvitelli. To the south, Cardeto Park a green area on the hill of the same name where you can walk with the sea on the horizon: inside you will find the old lighthouse and the suggestive monumental Jewish cemetery, among the largest in Europe. Must-see museums in Ancona The National Archaeological Museum of Marche exhibits the largest collection of artefacts in the entire region from the Palaeolithic to the Classical period, where visiting the 16th-century Palazzo Ferretti with its rich decorations and splendid views of the port and bay of Ancona is possible. Ancona's history is reconstructed in the City Museum with documents, exhibits, models, educational panels, maps and videos. The Pinacoteca Comunale in Palazzo Bosdari exhibits masterpieces such as Titian's Gozzi Altarpiece, his first autograph work, Lorenzo Lotto's Sacred Conversation, and works by Sebastiano Del Piombo. A unique experience is offered by the Omero Tactile Museum, housed in the Mole Vanvitelliana, offering the rare opportunity to learn about art through touch, thanks to life-size plaster casts of sculptures, models of famous monuments and archaeological finds. Ancona’s beaches The best-loved and most popular beach for the people of Ancona is Passetto, a tongue of sand under the green promontory, which has the peculiarity of including more than 500 “caves” dug into the rock from the 19th century until the 1960s by locals. The reason? To store small boats and fishing gear. Each “cave” is enclosed, like a garage, with salvaged material of various kinds and colours: a picturesque ensemble. Less frequented, because access is difficult, is the Scalaccia beach at Pietralacroce. It is reached by steps, not always easy. Once there, however, the effort will be amply rewarded. Also beautiful and wild is the Mezzavalle beach, continuation of the Portonovo bay, of sand and gravel: reached by two steep paths to be tackled with suitable boots. What to eat in Ancona Among the most typical dishes of Ancona cuisine is stockfish or dried codfish cooked with potatoes, tomatoes and herbs. If you are wondering why cod – a fish from northern Europe – the answer lies in the frequency of trade contacts between Ancona and northern European countries. Here, as in many other towns in the Marche, we eat brodetto which is a typical fish soup, and the wild mosciolo of Portonovo, a type of mussel that lives on the Conero coast, recognised as a Slow Food presidium.

Whether it's a port of call on your journey down the coastline of Le Marche or your preferred destination for a city break, Ascoli Piceno is a place where the history, art, food and wine are some of the best you'll find in Italy. Maybe it's the small and compact historic centre, or maybe the old travertine buildings, but Ascoli Piceno has truly preserved the unparalleled charm of the idealised Italian village where time seems to have stopped. The town is full of elegant, stately squares and historic churches full of hidden treasures, their towers and belfries dotted across the skyline. Here in Ascoli Piceno, you can't fail to be entranced by the local culture and history.

Between the Metauro valley and the Foglia valley, in the hills of the Marche region facing the Adriatic Sea, lies the city of Urbino, one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance, whose artistic charm and architectural heritage are still preserved today. Embellished with sandstone buildings and surrounded by a long wall of brickwork, Urbino is a city of vast historical and artistic wealth. From a simple village, it became the “cradle of the Renaissance” and, even today, walking through its historical centre you can breathe in the 15th-century air. In 1998, Urbino was honourably included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for being a point of attraction for the most illustrious Renaissance scholars and artists from all over Italy and the world, and for having influenced cultural progress in the rest of Europe, while managing to keep its exceptional urban complex almost intact.

Back to the Middle Ages! Entering the fortified village dominated by the fortress feels like going back in time

Recanati: the Infinite City Recanati is the birthplace of the greatest Italian poet of the 19th century, Giacomo Leopardi. Here, everything refers to him and his poetic inspiration: the palace where he was born that preserves his “sweaty papers”, Silvia's house, the hill of L'Infinito. The splendid views of the countryside, the elegance of the village, and the remarkable works of art that are housed there make Recanati an essential stop on any trip to the Marche region. A stone's throw from the sea of Porto Recanati and the Conero Riviera. In the village of the poet Giacomo Leopardi The “native wild village” of Leopardi (1798-1837) will enchant you with its favourable position on a very scenic hill, but also with its beautiful palaces and the beautiful walkway along the walls, on which you can stroll and enjoy the view of the sea. A visit to Leopardi's birthplace, a palace still inhabited by his descendants, is very interesting: you can see the rooms where he grew up, the elegant library with rare volumes of his “mad and desperate study”, his room overlooking the more modest home of Silvia, the young daughter of his coachman with whom he was enamoured. In the village there is the place that inspired the poet with his best-known poem, L’Infinito: it is the kitchen garden of the monastery of Santo Stefano, on top of a hill a few steps from Leopardi's house, reopened to the public in 2019 thanks to the FAI. You will also find the square from Il sabato del villaggio and the tower from Il passero solitario, of St Augustine. Leopardi is credited with the presence in Recanati of the World Poetry Centre, housed in the convent of Santo Stefano, and the Centro Studi Leopardiani created in 1937 to stimulate research and reflection on the poet's work, which is celebrated on 21 March, World Poetry Day, and in June with a festival dedicated to him. Also worth seeing in Recanati are the Cathedral of San Flaviano, the civic museum of Villa Colloredo Mels, an art gallery exhibiting four important works by Lorenzo Lotto, and the Museum of Emigration from the Marche, which documents, with stories and testimonies, the diaspora of the 700,000 who left the region in search of fortune. Another illustrious citizen of Recanati was Beniamino Gigli, one of the most acclaimed opera tenors of the 20th century. In the Persiani Theatre, inside the Sala dei Trenta, at the level of the third tier of boxes, his dressing room has been reconstructed in his memory, and the Beniamino Gigli Museum houses stage costumes. Porto Recanati As cosy is the atmosphere in Recanati, as lively and cheerful is that of Porto Recanati on the coast. During the day, wide beaches of fine gravel, mostly with facilities, offer all kinds of services: there is one close to the village and a more secluded one, the Pineta, which borders on the green. In the evening, Porto Recanati comes alive in the area around the Svevo castle (actually 15th century), which hosts concerts and evening shows in its courtyard named after Beniamino Gigli. The castle tower can be climbed to see the panorama of the coast. Its rooms house a picture gallery with an important collection of 17th-century paintings (from Luca Giordano to Rosso Fiorentino) and a nucleus of Macchiaioli painters (from Giovanni Fattori to Silvestro Lega). Also on display are archaeological finds from the excavations of the old Potentia, the Roman colony founded in 184 BC in the hamlet of Santa Maria, where the remains of a Roman domus with a mosaic floor and frescoed walls are visible.

A sinuous promontory designed by the winds that Mount Conero (after which this area in the Marches was named) encounters while overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Tens of beaches surrounded by rocks and luxuriant vegetation that can only be reached by boat or on paths, and numerous cities full of history and tradition: This is the Conero Riviera. A surprising green and occasionally wild nature, unforgettable crystal-clear sea and many beaches - some easier to access than others - characterize the Riviera. Among these is Due Sorelle beach (which can only be reached by boat), named this way due to two large stacks (precisely the due sorelle or two sisters), and Mezzavalle beach.

Numana: between the blue sea and the Rosso Conero Numana is a colourful fishing village on the Conero Riviera with large, easily accessible beaches. This village is in the Marche region and in its lively historic centre there is a fascinating Antiquarium museum, which documents the very ancient origins of the Picentes settlements on this coast. Excursions by boat or canoe can be organised from the little port of Numana, while the green hills invite you to discover the hinterland along the Rosso Conero wine route with its thousand scents. What to see in Numana A stroll through Numana invites you to discover a pleasant historic centre that runs along the Costarella, a gentle flight of steps that connects the village on the slope to the beaches and the sea. At the top of the promontory, above the harbour, you will see the Arco di Torre, what remains of the bell tower of a church or watch tower destroyed in an earthquake in 1930, next to which is a bronze monument dedicated to fishermen. The belvedere is where you will want to go on summer days to enjoy the breeze that is always blowing there and the view of the coast. Not to be missed is a visit to the Antiquarium, a small museum documenting a major archaeological discovery: the trousseau of the Tomb of the Queen of Sirolo (6th century B.C.) found in Sirolo in the I Pini archaeological area. In the Sanctuary of the Crucifix, you can admire a cedar wood crucifix, a Byzantine work from the 13th century. Also of interest is the Town Hall, housed in a building dating from 1773, which was the summer residence of the bishops of Ancona. For beaches, you can choose between the two bays close to the cliff (the Spiaggiola and the Spiaggia dei Frati), or the large beach south of the harbour that extends to the hamlet of Marcelli, with bathing facilities and toilets for families. Numana’s turtle cove For several years, the municipality of Numana has been collaborating with the Riccione Cetacea Foundation to ensure the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sea turtles. A “turtle cove” has been created in Numana: once the turtles have recovered from injuries or accidents, they are placed in a fenced-off area in the sea near the harbour. Here they continue to be observed and monitored by marine biologists and volunteers to assess if and when they are finally fit to return to the sea. The moment of releasing them into the wild is always filled with emotion. The Rosso Conero wine route Numana is surrounded by vineyards which make good starting points for exploring the Rosso Conero wine route. This winds its way from Ancona to Osimo, between the towns of Numana, Sirolo, Camerano, Offagna and Castelfidardo, between the cliffs and the countryside. Here, some twenty wineries produce Rosso Conero DOC and Rosso Conero Riserva DOCG, wines made from Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes that are influenced by the presence of the sea, the limestone soil of the promontory and the micro-climate of the coast. Full-bodied and fragrant, Rosso Conero wine is ideally paired with meat dishes. Find out more: www.turismonumana.it/en

Sirolo is a balcony town overlooking the Conero Riviera. Just set back from the coastline, its centre slopes gently towards the Adriatic Sea from which a green strip of pine forests and Mediterranean maquis separates it. The mediaeval village offers striking views, archaeological treasures and a memorable panoramic balcony, while the beaches are among the most beautiful in Le Marche. What to see in Sirolo The historical centre of Sirolo developed around the structure of an 11th-century castle, of which a defensive stronghold can still be discerned in the bell tower and the city walls. Its alleyways lead to the square of the Church of St Nicholas, from which there is a belvedere overlooking the coast. Below the cliff on which Sirolo rises, there are several beaches, accessible from the sea or by walking along paths through the Mediterranean maquis: the most famous is the beach of the two sisters, so called because of the two stacks that enclose it at one end. Equally beautiful are the beaches of San Michele and Sassi neri, partly equipped and partly free, which can be reached on foot from the Parco della Repubblica, and the Urbani beach, the largest, which can be reached from Via Bosco. In summer, the beaches are connected to the centre by shuttles. Many other coves and inlets dotted along the coastline, however, are only accessible by sea. After a day at the beach, towards evening, you can take a walk in the archaeological area The Pines on the site of a necropolis of the Picenian civilisation where the Tomb of the Queen of Sirolo with a chariot, a buggy and numerous ornamental objects. The exhibits are on display in the Antiquarium Statale in Numana, but its reconstruction can be seen in the visitor centre of the Conero park, located in the centre of Sirolo. The Conero Promontory Park The Monte Conero Regional Park protects the only rocky bastion on the Adriatic coast between Trieste and the Gargano. It was set up at the end of the 1980s thanks to the efforts of local citizens' committees and environmental associations to put a stop to speculation in an area of great natural and scenic value, a thin strip of land where many different landscapes coexist in just a few kilometres: the countryside, woods, cliffs and the sea. Today, it is possible to visit the Conero Park on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike along some 20 trails with the sea on the horizon: you can cross the promontory (8 kilometres) or follow shorter paths to discover the rock engravings (700 metres), the ring of Roman caves and the hidden quarry (2.3 kilometres), the brackish lakes of Portonovo (2.3 kilometres) or to see the stacks of the Two Sisters Beach (5.4 kilometres) from the cliff top. The underground city of Camerano Eight kilometres from Sirolo, don't miss the Camerano caves. They are called caves, but in reality it is an underground city excavated by man, no one knows exactly when or why, formed by a complex of tunnels that occupy the underground of the city between Piazza Roma and Via San Francesco in the area known as Rupe del Sassone, traditionally called the devil's holes. A plausible hypothesis is that these are the remains of an ancient underground aqueduct later extended in the Middle Ages and also used as a place of worship, as suggested by the ornamental motifs and religious symbols found there. During the bombing of World War II in July 1944, more than 2,000 locals took refuge there for 18 days. Today they are one of the most fascinating places to visit on the Conero.

Mezzavalle is the last beach in Ancona and the first of many white beaches in the Conero Riviera Natural Park, 20 kilometres of coastline on the Adriatic Sea that has been awarded a number of blue flags for the quality of its water. There are coves, pebble inlets and wider beaches, some natural and wild, others with superb beach facilities, to suit all tastes and needs.

Porto San Giorgio is a beautiful town on the Marche coastline, washed by the Adriatic Sea and a popular seaside tourist destination with a long history and many traditions.

The common denominator shared by these four Italian villages, in addition to their beauty, is the sea. They can also be seen or experienced through different food and wine nuances, as well as proposals for trekking, cycling and spa routes. Not to mention unique historical, artistic and architectural heritages.

Le Marche is sure to satisfy your passions, whether you are a sports professional, a high-adrenaline sports fan or an amateur who is keen to be swept away for the first time by the thrill of outdoor activities. And if you are a digital nomad looking for the perfect place to spend September, we have even better news: Le Marche's climate and the still-long days will guarantee you hours of after-work fun! Alone or with friends and family, at the sea or in the mountains, soaring over delightful villages or keeping your feet planted firmly on the ground, Le Marche offers countless outdoor sports to enjoy: from climbing and slacklining, to paragliding, hang gliding, canyoning or water trekking through rivers, to kitesurfing at sea. There’s something for everyone!

The Marches Region is rich in cycling itineraries that pass through - and often connect - the sea and the hinterland, unwinding between astonishing cities of art and delicious local flavours: from the Sibillini Mountains to the Conero Riviera, here are five routes ideal for everyone ... for an active holiday reconnecting with nature. Natural scenery of huge impact that will also welcome stages of the Giro d'Italia.

This is one of the Italian adventure parks with the most fascinating natural scenery: between the rock walls and the green waters of the Sentino river. Here, the relatively low number of available routes is compensated for by the infinite resources offered by the surrounding area: the park is a stone's throw from the extraordinary underground spectacle of the Frasassi Caves and the sulphurous San Vittore water spa. There are also a series of picturesque itineraries through the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi Regional Park.

Magic is the word flowing invisibly along the 202 kilometres of the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. We are talking about the charm the waterfalls envelop you with, being the tallest ones in Europe, an emotion that all riders – both professional and amateur – experience when they ‘attack’ a mountain chain, as well as the spells that – as the legend goes – hide amidst the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. You just have to sit in the saddle and let yourself be enchanted by this itinerary.

The fifth appointment of Tirreno-Adriatico, the two-wheeled race that runs across the Peninsula, from sea to sea, has quite a telling fame. It is called the "stage of the walls". Don’t get deceived though: with its 155 kilometres it is a fairly short route for the professional riders, yet super hard. Let’s have a look at it. The first half of the route runs on mild slopes, dotted with people-friendly villages, but in the second half the riders deal with almost vertical asphalted ‘walls’, that test even the best trained riders. Take up the challenge, if you’d like. If worse comes to worse, you get off your bike. What about the booby prize? A dinner with fish-broth-based courses and a glass of verdicchio wine, that is, some of the iconic products of the food-and-wine local tradition.

There, everyone can make a tailor-made bike experience, either following the wake of the great champions, or choosing a not too testing ride, even with the whole family. The grand finale of Tirreno-Adriatico, the cycling race that runs across the Italian peninsula from sea to sea, unfolds in a scenery imbued with blooming and salty scents. The itinerary begins on the hills overlooking the sea and ends along the coast. A slower-running course in the first half, owning to the ups and downs that can test your quadriceps and lungs a faster-running route in the second half along the straight stretches that favour an upping pace. Here is a short guide to pick the fittest one for you.