A Guide to Le Marche, Italy

Jun 19

Written By Gina Spinelli

Le Marche is a picturesque region in central Italy that is often overlooked by tourists in favor of its more famous neighbors, Tuscany and Umbria. However, this up and coming region has a lot to offer visitors, with its charming hilltop towns, beautiful beaches, and stunning countryside views. From strolling through the historic streets to indulging in the delicious and traditional meals, to relaxing on the golden sandy beaches, there is something for everyone in Le Marche. Whether you're interested in history, culture, food, or nature, a visit to Le Marche is sure to leave you enchanted.

How to get to Le Marche

There are several ways to get to Le Marche, depending on where you are coming from. Here are some of the most common ways to get to the region:

By plane - You can fly into Ancona's Falconara Airport (AOI), which is located on the coast and serviced by several airlines, including Ryanair and Lufthansa. Alternatively, you could fly into Rome's Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and then rent a car, take a train, or catch a bus to Le Marche.

By train - Le Marche is well connected to the Italian rail network, and you can take a train to the region from many major Italian cities. For example, from Rome, you can take the high-speed train (Frecciarossa) and get to Ancona in less than 3 hours.

By bus - Buses are an affordable way to travel to Le Marche, with several companies that offer bus trips to the region from other Italian towns and cities.

By car - Driving to Le Marche is possible but requires some time and effort. The region is connected to the Italian highway network, which makes it easy to reach by car. If you're traveling from Rome, it will take approximately 3 hours to drive to Le Marche.

Once you arrive in Le Marche, renting a car is the best way to explore the region fully. However, train and bus services within the region are reliable if you prefer not to drive.

Best Restaurants in Le Marche:

Uliassi Restaurant (Senigallia) - This is a two-Michelin star restaurant and one of Italy's most famous seaside eateries. The food is inventive, based on fresh seafood and produce, and their wine list is impressive.

Antichi Sapori (Montegiorgio) - This popular, family-run restaurant has a rustic ambiance and is known for its homemade pasta and excellent meat dishes.

Osteria del Teatro (Fano) - Located in the beautiful port of Fano, this restaurant is renowned for its creative cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients, and fresh seafood dishes.

Trattoria del Corso in Urbino - This is a popular spot that serves traditional Marchigian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. They use local, fresh ingredients to create unique and delicious dishes. Plus, the service is fantastic!

Ristorante Gianfranco Vissani (Civitanova Marche) - This elegant two Michelin-starred restaurant combines traditional dishes with modern techniques to create a truly unique dining experience. Their wine list is extensive, and the attentive staff will ensure that you feel like royalty.

Best Hotels in Le Marche:

Borgobrufa Spa Resort (Torgiano)- This luxurious spa resort is located in the quiet countryside between Umbria and Perugia. Relax and unwind in the resort's decadent wellness center and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside. ** Even if you don’t stay here, you can still enjoy its spa and restaurant!

Villa Amodeo (Ripatransone) - This stunning villa near the Adriatic coast offers a beautiful outdoor pool, serene gardens, and excellent service. You'll love the elegant rooms and the authentic Italian breakfast.

Residenza La Ceramica (Urbino) - Stay in an authentic 15th-century palace in the heart of Urbino. This charming bed and breakfast features beautiful frescoes and a lovely terrace on which to enjoy the city's skyline.

Palazzo Seneca - Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century palazzo in the town of Norcia, Palazzo Seneca offers elegant, individually decorated rooms with antique furnishings. The hotel has a cozy lounge and restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine.

Dimora Storica Villa dei Priori - This charming 18th-century villa is set in the hills of Le Marche, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel has a lovely garden where you can relax and take in the views, as well as an outdoor pool.

Best Beaches in Le Marche:

Conero Riviera - This is a stunning stretch of coastline that offers several beaches with crystal-clear waters, surrounded by the beautiful Conero mountain range. Some of the best beaches in Conero are Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri and Due Sorelle Beach.

Senigallia - The Velvet Beach is located in Senigallia, a charming town located on the Adriatic coast. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag, and its wide stretches of sand make it an ideal place for a leisurely swim or sunbathing.

Porto San Giorgio - This picturesque town is famous for its long sandy beach and calm waters, making it an ideal spot for families.

Numana - This small seaside town boasts several beaches that are ideal for swimming or soaking up the sun, including Spiaggia dei Frati and Spiaggia del Lauro.

Pedaso - This small town features a beautiful pebble beach and is an ideal location to admire the sea and relax.

Best Cultural Activities in Le Marche

Le Marche has a rich artistic and cultural heritage, and it's a great destination for artists and creatives to find inspiration. Here are some of the best things to do in Le Marche:

Visit the art museums - Urbino is home to the National Gallery of the Marche, which houses an impressive collection of Renaissance art, including works by Raphael, Titian, and Piero della Francesca. In addition, Palazzo Buonaccorsi dates back to the 1700s and boasts impressive architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history. It currently hosts a number of exhibitions, displaying art and antiquities from the local area.

Check out an artisanal workshop - Le Marche is known for its skilled artisans, and there are plenty of classes and workshops available for all interests. Check out a cooking class from La Tavola Le Marche, take a terracotta pottery workshop with Secret Marche, or make homemade paper at Europe’s oldest commercial papermill, Fabriano.

Enjoy a wine tasting - A visit to Marche would not be complete without a wine tasting. There are several available, but we recommend this one in Tolentino.

Explore the historic towns and architecture - Urbino and Ascoli Piceno are both cities where you can observe some of Italy's most beautiful Renaissance architecture.

Visit the Frasassi Caves - These natural wonders are breathtaking and have been the inspiration for artists and writers for generations.

Attend the Macerata Opera Festival - This world-renowned festival is held annually during July and August and features stunning operatic performances that blend the traditional with the contemporary.

Whether you’re tacking on some time at the beginning or end of a retreat with us, or you’re on a separate trip to the region, we have no doubt you’ll enjoy all of the treasures Le Marche has to offer.

Gina Spinelli

A Guide to Le Marche, Italy

How to get to Le Marche

There are several ways to get to Le Marche, depending on where you are coming from. Here are some of the most common ways to get to the region:

By plane - You can fly into Ancona's Falconara Airport (AOI), which is located on the coast and serviced by several airlines, including Ryanair and Lufthansa. Alternatively, you could fly into Rome's Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and then rent a car, take a train, or catch a bus to Le Marche.

By train - Le Marche is well connected to the Italian rail network, and you can take a train to the region from many major Italian cities. For example, from Rome, you can take the high-speed train (Frecciarossa) and get to Ancona in less than 3 hours.

By bus - Buses are an affordable way to travel to Le Marche, with several companies that offer bus trips to the region from other Italian towns and cities.

By car - Driving to Le Marche is possible but requires some time and effort. The region is connected to the Italian highway network, which makes it easy to reach by car. If you're traveling from Rome, it will take approximately 3 hours to drive to Le Marche.

Once you arrive in Le Marche, renting a car is the best way to explore the region fully. However, train and bus services within the region are reliable if you prefer not to drive.

Best Restaurants in Le Marche:

Uliassi Restaurant (Senigallia) - This is a two-Michelin star restaurant and one of Italy's most famous seaside eateries. The food is inventive, based on fresh seafood and produce, and their wine list is impressive.

Antichi Sapori (Montegiorgio) - This popular, family-run restaurant has a rustic ambiance and is known for its homemade pasta and excellent meat dishes.

Osteria del Teatro (Fano) - Located in the beautiful port of Fano, this restaurant is renowned for its creative cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients, and fresh seafood dishes.

Trattoria del Corso in Urbino - This is a popular spot that serves traditional Marchigian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. They use local, fresh ingredients to create unique and delicious dishes. Plus, the service is fantastic!

Ristorante Gianfranco Vissani (Civitanova Marche) - This elegant two Michelin-starred restaurant combines traditional dishes with modern techniques to create a truly unique dining experience. Their wine list is extensive, and the attentive staff will ensure that you feel like royalty.

Best Hotels in Le Marche:

Villa Amodeo (Ripatransone) - This stunning villa near the Adriatic coast offers a beautiful outdoor pool, serene gardens, and excellent service. You'll love the elegant rooms and the authentic Italian breakfast.

Residenza La Ceramica (Urbino) - Stay in an authentic 15th-century palace in the heart of Urbino. This charming bed and breakfast features beautiful frescoes and a lovely terrace on which to enjoy the city's skyline.

Palazzo Seneca - Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century palazzo in the town of Norcia, Palazzo Seneca offers elegant, individually decorated rooms with antique furnishings. The hotel has a cozy lounge and restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine.

Dimora Storica Villa dei Priori - This charming 18th-century villa is set in the hills of Le Marche, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel has a lovely garden where you can relax and take in the views, as well as an outdoor pool.

Best Beaches in Le Marche:

Conero Riviera - This is a stunning stretch of coastline that offers several beaches with crystal-clear waters, surrounded by the beautiful Conero mountain range. Some of the best beaches in Conero are Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri and Due Sorelle Beach.

Senigallia - The Velvet Beach is located in Senigallia, a charming town located on the Adriatic coast. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag, and its wide stretches of sand make it an ideal place for a leisurely swim or sunbathing.

Porto San Giorgio - This picturesque town is famous for its long sandy beach and calm waters, making it an ideal spot for families.

Numana - This small seaside town boasts several beaches that are ideal for swimming or soaking up the sun, including Spiaggia dei Frati and Spiaggia del Lauro.

Pedaso - This small town features a beautiful pebble beach and is an ideal location to admire the sea and relax.

Best Cultural Activities in Le Marche

Le Marche has a rich artistic and cultural heritage, and it's a great destination for artists and creatives to find inspiration. Here are some of the best things to do in Le Marche:

Enjoy a wine tasting - A visit to Marche would not be complete without a wine tasting. There are several available, but we recommend this one in Tolentino.

Explore the historic towns and architecture - Urbino and Ascoli Piceno are both cities where you can observe some of Italy's most beautiful Renaissance architecture.

Visit the Frasassi Caves - These natural wonders are breathtaking and have been the inspiration for artists and writers for generations.

Attend the Macerata Opera Festival - This world-renowned festival is held annually during July and August and features stunning operatic performances that blend the traditional with the contemporary.

Whether you’re tacking on some time at the beginning or end of a retreat with us, or you’re on a separate trip to the region, we have no doubt you’ll enjoy all of the treasures Le Marche has to offer.

Sol Creative