Winter walks in the villages of Le Marche, where time slows down

Leave the noise of the coast behind and head to the most evocative villages in the Apennines: here, winter becomes poetry. In Elcito, often snow-covered, silence envelops everything. As you walk among the stone houses, you will have the feeling that you are stepping into a painting of times gone by. Esanatoglia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, smells of woodsmoke and history in winter. With the ancient towers rising above the landscape and the narrow lanes clustered around the main street, it offers an intimate, fairy‑tale atmosphere.
Near Ascoli, Castel Trosino welcomes you with its narrow alleys, balconies flowering even in winter, and views that seem to be suspended in mid‑air. And when the sun sets, everything is tinged with gold: a perfect moment if you love taking photos or simply being enchanted by beauty.

Then there are villages that become even more inviting during the Christmas period.
In Candelara, the lights are turned off. On weekends between November and December, thousands of candle flames transform the village into a sea of light, creating an intimate and cosy atmosphere. Strolling through the streets lit only by the warm light of candles, you rediscover the magic of an authentic Christmas. In Mombaroccio, Christmas is all about traditional crafts and recipes, amid workshops, Nativity scenes and festive confectionery. If you find yourself in Urbania, you will feel that the Befana is truly at home: workshops, tales and ancient customs animate the streets of the village, transforming Epiphany into a festival for all ages.
Not far from the Sibillini mountains, Cessapalombo covers Christmas in nature and rural traditions. The diffuse Nativity scenes, often staged among the trees and stone houses, tell of a simple and authentic way of experiencing the holiday period.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, choose villages where winter moves at a gentle pace, among quiet forests, the scent
 of woodsmoke and crackling fireplaces. In Sassoferrato, in the province of Ancona, winter drifts quietly down the well-kept lanes, past the old stone buildings into footpaths that open into silent woods. Proceeding southwards, the intimate atmosphere of Belforte del Chienti welcomes you. In winter the silent streets, Romanesque churches and gentle contours of the hills invite you to move at a slow pace.
Further on, Sarnano reveals itself as a small medieval gem, a maze of arches, stairways and doors that in the cold season acquire an even cosier charm.
After that, the peaks and mountains beckon: Bolognola awaits with its peaceful snow-capped peaks, while Amandola, the natural gateway to the Sibillini Mountains, is a village built on the hill slopes looking towards the white mountain tops. Its craft shops and cosy cafes exude a warmth that contrasts with the quiet landscape.
In these villages, nature sets the pace, making every experience more intense: a walk in the woods, a quick stop in a mountain tavern or a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fire. In the trattorias, the local cuisine welcomes you with hot dishes and genuine flavours.

In winter, some villages in Le Marche reveal a particularly precious light, ideal for those who love to observe and photograph authentic landscapes that might go unnoticed at other times of the year. In Mondavio, the fortress looms large on the hillside, while Corinaldo reveals all the perfection of its stone walls and geometric alleys. Heading southwards, the medieval setting of  Offagna seems tailor-made for the perfect photo and  Moresco is an interesting sight with its heptagonal street plan and medieval tower overlooking the valley.
From the panoramic viewpoints of  Cingoli,  Loreto and  Recanati, there are great views during the cold season. On the clearest days you can make out the peaks of the Apennines and, at the same time, the outline of the sea. Descending into the Piceno area, Ripatransone also offers excellent vantage points. From here, you can see the Adriatic, the mountains in the distance, and a seemingly endless horizon. This is why winter is the ideal time to visit, as it offers a new, sharper and more authentic view of these villages.

To truly experience winter in the villages of Le Marche, you should stay at least one night. When the visitors of left and silence reigns once more, the mood is even more magical.
Choose a B&B set in the walls of Camerino, Torre di Palme, Gradara, Offida or Ripatransone: waking up among the ancient stones in one of these atmospheric villages is a unique way to start the day.