General

Just south of Ancona stands the solitary summit of Monte Conero whose slopes fall precipitously towards the sea and the most beautiful beaches of the entire northern Adriatic coast, making this corner of the Marche one of the most beautiful corners to visit in Italy. And it is precisely towards these breathtaking views and beaches of rare beauty that this itinerary will lead you to discover.

The starting point is the beautiful city of Ancona, built on two hills that form a natural amphitheater around the port. On the Colle Guasco, the hill above the port, is the oldest part of the city dominated by the medieval Cathedral of San Ciriaco, built with a beautiful mix of Romanesque-Gothic style.

As soon as this evocative city is left behind, the itinerary enters the Conero regional park and begins to climb towards the mountain through a stretch of soft countryside, to then enter the lush Mediterranean vegetation that characterizes the whole Conero. Go past the crossroads to Portonovo on the left, whoever wants can take the road that leads to the sea and admire the sheer cliffs of the northern part of the mountain.

After passing Poggio and Massignano the descent begins towards Sirolo and Numana, the two pearls of this area, sheltered by the southern spur of the mountain. Sirolo is the most attractive with a balcony suspended over the sea, from here every half-hour buses leave for each of the many charming little bays that have made these places famous. Numana has a beautiful long beach to the south and an interesting archaeological museum that documents the history of the Iceni tribes who lived here until the time of the Roman Empire.

After Numana the itinerary leaves this splendid sea to direct inland reaching Loreto, the first of the medieval villages that characterize the interior of the province of Ancona. Here you cannot miss visiting the Sanctuary, destination of many pilgrims.

We continue our itinerary and reach Recanati, an ancient village in the Marche hills famous for having given birth to the famous poet Giacomo Leopardi. The old poet’s house is now transformed into an interesting museum. Continuing on the road we arrive in Macerata, known throughout the world for its annual open-air opera festival, it is a provincial capital on a human scale that is certainly worth a visit.

After leaving Macerata, the road begins to wind between the hills and the hills, crossing the picturesque Abbadia di Fiastra. Here is the famous Cistercian Abbey of Fiastra. The itinerary then continues to Urbisaglia, San Ginesio and Caldarola. In this village there is Castello Pallotta, a real gem to visit.

The next stage leads to Tolentino, a medieval village situated among rolling hills where every year a multitude of pilgrims come from all over Italy to visit the Sanctuary of San Nicola, and then to San Severino Marche, rich in medieval and Renaissance buildings and Cingoli, called also “Balcony of the Marche” for its breathtaking views.

At this point the itinerary reaches the sea near Filottrano and Osimo, a suggestive village on the crest of a hill with a beautiful historic center. It then passes Offagna, a village perched on the hills of the Conero, famous for the “Medieval Feasts”, a historical re-enactment of the arms challenge held every year in July.