The Marche through olive groves and mills: where flavour meets culture

The Marche region boasts a rich heritage of native olive cultivars that produce outstanding extra virgin olive oils. Travelling through its rural landscape, visiting olive mills and tasting their products offers a way to immerse yourself in an experience that combines nature, flavour and culture.

Each area of the region has a unique relationship with olive growing. In the inland areas of Ancona and Macerata, for example, ancient varieties such as Raggia and Mignola are dominant, producing intense, fruity oils. Further south, in the lands of Fermo and Ascoli Piceno, you will find cultivars such as Sargano di Fermo, prized for its delicate, well-balanced taste. Heading north to the hills of Montefeltro, you will come across Cartoceto PDO, a rare and refined oil, known for its freshness and distinct herbaceous notes.

The entire region is dotted with olive mills and farms that warmly welcome visitors, offering guided tastings and learning experiences. Taking part in these sensory journeys allows you not only to taste different oils, but also to learn how to recognise their aromas, flavours and textures, and to deepen your appreciation for the exceptional organoleptic qualities of this remarkable product.

For those who want to experience olive oil from grove to bottle, joining in the olive harvest is a unique opportunity to connect directly with tradition. Many farms in the Marche open their doors to anyone who wants to be part of this ritual, shaped by age-old gestures, shared moments and discovery.
This immersive and rewarding experience, open to both keen amateurs and industry professionals, offers the chance to join local mill teams and take in the lively, industrious spirit of the olive harvest.

By contacting farms directly or going through tour operators specialising in olive oil tourism, visitors can take part not only in the harvest but also in the following stages of processing, from fruit selection to milling. It is a fascinating journey into a virtuous supply chain where tradition, technological innovation, quality and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.

There are also activities for younger visitors, with open-air educational workshops designed to teach children about the olive-growing traditions of the Marche. Spending a day in nature, among olive trees and mills, gives families a precious opportunity to engage with a cultural heritage rich in values and stories worth passing on.

A journey through the Marche inspired by olive oil can become an immersive experience of nature and tradition. For those who love the outdoors, there are countless ways to explore: trekking routes through centuries-old olive groves and medieval villages, or e-bike tours along scenic roads with delightful stops for tasting the local “green gold”. It is an authentic way to experience the region, breathe in its scents, and appreciate the landscape, blending physical activity with culinary culture.

Food and wine lovers can enrich their itinerary by visiting local wineries, where the meeting of olive oil and wine takes centre stage. Many places offer outdoor picnics and magical dinners beneath the olive trees, where typical Marche dishes are enhanced with freshly pressed olive oil and paired with local wines.

Those interested in the historical and cultural side of olive oil in the Marche will find plenty to discover, from the Olive Oil Museum in Serrapetrona (Macerata), with its historical tools and documents tracing the region’s long olive-growing tradition, to the hilltop village of Monte San Vito (Ancona), home to a seventeenth-century olive mill, now a museum, where the original equipment is still perfectly preserved.

Anyone seeking a more spiritual experience can take part in yoga sessions or meditation retreats held among majestic centuries-old olive trees, offered by local estates. Alternatively, a simple walk through the peaceful silence of the groves, often set beside ancient sacred sites, can bring a deep sense of inner calm.
In Marche tradition, as in Christian symbolism, the olive tree has always been associated with peace and blessing. For this reason, it is often found growing near abbeys and monasteries. Some of the most evocative examples include Fonte Avellana Monastery and the Abbey of Chiaravalle di Fiastra, both set deep in nature, where time seems to stand still and harmony with oneself and the surrounding world is easily restored.  

Exploring rural Marche is like stepping into a world where time slows down, nature sets the pace of daily life, and people continue to engage with the land with respect and passion. Among gentle hills and timeless villages, the olive groves tell stories of patience, dedication and ancient knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

In this authentic landscape, the meeting of land, fruit and human skill becomes an intense and memorable experience. Olive mills and farms offer far more than classic tastings - they create immersive opportunities that combine culture, landscape, art and food. Guided tours, workshops, walks among the olive trees and encounters with producers all become moments in which visitors can connect with a place brought to life through its history and its flavours.

That is why, when we talk about olive oil tourism in the Marche, we are not simply describing a holiday!
Follow the olive oil trails and let yourself be drawn into this unforgettable experience in the heart of a region that is generous and genuine. Step by step, you will discover how a land can offer not just beauty and flavour, but also a true connection with the deeper rhythms of life.