The province of Le Marche is located on the east coast of Italy sandwiched between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea.
Le Marche is described as “Italy in miniature” and is typified by the travel journalist, Guido Piovene, as having the most classical Italian landscape.
The area is close to some beautifully restored villages with great shopping streets, squares, museums, and restaurants. I have listed a few recommended destinations below, but there is so much more to experience.
In 2001, the ANCI (Associazione Nazionale dei Comuni Italiani) founded the, 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' of which 27 of these 200 villages are in Le Marche.
The province of Le Marche is generally quite flat with gentle slopes, but there are also beautiful steep chalk cliffs on the coast. For sun seekers, there is a beach around 180 km close by which includes blue flagged areas to guarantee safe swimming water.
For walkers and cyclists, the Apennines in the West and the Monte Sibillini in the South are a true paradise. Golf is also an option at the
Conero Golf Club located in the Conero Park. The golf course has 18 holes and is also suitable for children and beginners. There is a golf school, restaurant, Pro shop, tennis court and swimming pool. (technical data: championship course with 18 holes, par 71 + executive course with 5 holes, par 17,600 meters).
From those with an interest in exquisite culinary, Le Marche boasts fresh fish and seafood, specialty meat dishes and fine cheeses. You can sip on some very special wines made from the local grape varieties. The most famous white wine is the Verdicchio di Castelli de Jesi, but there is also a great red wine Rosso Piceno that should not be missed.
The area of Le Marche has plenty of cafes where you can enjoy an espresso or cappuccino on a terrace for a reasonable price. You often get a snack with an alcoholic drink, because according to the Italians, drinking on an empty stomach can be regarded as sin!
URBINO
The city was placed on the UNESCO list in 1998 and for good reason. Located in the north of Le Marche, Urbino has developed into a beautiful city with a Renaissance style. The Duke Federico da Montefeltro once wanted to make the city of Urbino 'la citta ideale' (Ideal City) and commissioned the best Renaissance artists in the area to renovate the city, without compromising the already existing Urbino.
The city walls were rebuilt by none other than Leonardo da Vinci and the imposing Palazzo Ducale was designed by Laurana and Di Giorgio Martini. Urbino is like a large open-air museum, whether you are walking through the streets, visiting museums or climbing to the Fort Albornoz where there is a beautiful view of the Palazzo Ducale or take a seat on a terrace and enjoy your surroundings.
GROTTE DI FRASASSI
The entire cave system is in Parco Gola della Rossa and is about 19 kilometers in total. Speleologists consider the limestone caves to be the most beautiful in Europe. You can only visit the caves under supervision, there is a route for every level. The one-and-a-half-kilometer long route is accessible to everyone, due to the presence of wide footpaths and spacious stairs. If you enjoy walking and no one is under the age of twelve, the blue or red speleologist tour is a must. You will be provided with overalls, wellies, helmet, and headlamp to be able to explore the caves further.
TEMPIO DEL VALADIER
Near the caves of Frasassi you can find the Temple of Valadier, built in 1828. It is a neoclassical temple, an octagonal monument in a spectacular place.
PARCO REGIONALE DEL CONERO
The most beautiful coastal landscape of Le Marche has been protected since 1987 and provides a place of interest for every tourist. The beautiful views highlight the small quaint villages that are wedged along the white chalk cliffs. Visit Portonovo, Sirolo and Numana where you can stroll through the streets or relax on one of the many beaches where you will also find many restaurants. There are plenty of hiking trails, but there is also plenty to do for cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts.
LORETO
Loreto is not impressive in size, but in the main square is one of the most visited shrines in the world: The “Basilica della Santa Casa”.
The basilica dominates the entire area and resembles a fortified town, which it is, as it was regularly raided by Turkish pirates between the 15th and 16th centuries. Many pilgrims come to Loreto to visit the house of the Virgin Mary, which was once moved from Palestine to Loreto. The construction of the Basilica started in 1468 and it was built around the house of the Virgin Mary, because the house had only three walls. Maria's house was partly built in a cave and therefore lacked a wall.
JESI
Jesi is a beautiful, fortified town and only 15 minutes away from the accommodation. There are nice shops, museums, beautiful squares and in the evening, people are busy strolling through the main street. Don't forget to look at the beautiful doors of the cathedral in Piazza Federico.
MACERATA
Macerata, the capital of the province of the same name, is a half-hour drive from the coastline of Le Marche.
The heart of the city is the Piazza della Libertà, where, among other things, the Torre dei Tempi con Orologio Planetario is located. At 12 noon you can listen to the clock and watch the rotating hands. This square is also home to the oldest university in Italy, which certainly adds to the atmosphere of the city.
But Macerata is above all the city of opera, where performances take place in the impressive open-air theater Il Sferisterio. The theater was once built as a stadium for the old Italian ball sport, pallone con bracciale, and now plays the beautiful sounds of opera.
Even if you never visit an opera, the entire atmosphere surrounding an evening visit to the opera is an beautiful experience.
LAGO CINGOLI
Also known as Lake Castreccioni.
Not only the largest artificial basin in the Marche region, but also the largest in the whole of central Italy. Because of the many water birds, the protected area is: Oasi Provincial di Protezione Faunistica. There is the opportunity to sunbathe on the lake shore, rent canoes and pedal boats, go fishing, mountain biking, horse riding or hiking. A tasty aperitif on the waterside at a cozy bar is also one of possibilities.
SENIGALLIA
Senigallia is located between Pesaro and Ancona. This city on the Adriatic Sea is known as a seaside resort, but there is much more to experience. The city has a pleasant city center with nice shops and various restaurants.
Part of the city center is still walled and the Misa river runs through the middle of the city. Walk through the Foro Annonario, a beautiful market square where concerts and events are organized during the summer season. Visit Rocca Roveresca, it is a beautiful castle that houses a museum and hosts various exhibitions throughout the year.
The Chiesa della Croce church is hidden in the old town of Senigallia. The facade in particular hardly stands out among the other buildings, but the interior is richly decorated with lots of gold and no fewer than six altars.
Only interrupted by the harbor you will find five kilometers of wide sandy beach north of the center and eight kilometers south of the city. The heart of the beach and of Senigallia is formed by the Rotonda a Mare. A real attraction for tourists with all kinds of bars and lidos in the area where you can relax. Another symbol of the town of Senigallia is the mermaid Penelope, seen at the end of the pier in the harbor.
Feste and Sagra's
All year round, but especially in the summer, all kinds of events are organised in Le Marche. The centrepiece of such an event is always food and drink. Often local products that are promoted with great enthusiasm. The squares are beautifully decorated, bands are playing, just sit down and enjoy the scenery. These events are called 'Feste' and 'Sagre' and are announced in the area, but I keep an eye on it and let you know if there is something nice to experience.
Furthermore, various art and music festivals are organized.
Art Festivals
(https://www.recanatiartfestival.com)
We usually visit the festival in Recanati, but from the end of June to mid-July it's also organized in Montelupone, Porto Recanati, Loreto and Numana.. There are exhibitions, various bands, acrobatics, dance and theater.
Summer Jamboree Festival (https://www.summerjamboree.com/en/festival/) Senigallia
An international festival with American music and culture from the 40s and 50s. Every year between the end of July and the first half of August, the whole of Senigallia, both the city and the beach, looks like a big film set. There are beautiful 40s-50s cars and everyone is dressed in the style of that time.
During the festival, a prestigious program of open-air concerts accompanied by DJs who play from noon until late at night at various locations in the city, free dance lessons, a Hawaiian Beach, a Burlesque Show and a vintage market. As always, there is plenty to eat and drink in a very relaxed environment.
Festa dell' Uva Cupramontana
Four days of partying... right around the corner! Since 1928, the first weekend in October, the grape festival celebrates the harvest and fertility of the land. There are countless gastronomic stands where the Verdicchio wine flows abundantly, there are folkloric dancers and bands present. Every year the organization succeeds in attracting famous Italian singers or bands. On Saturday there is the 'palio della pigiatura' or: a 'grape stomp' competition between the different wine villages and on Sunday, the last day there is a parade with floats, made by young people from the village. Plenty of fun and of course food and drinks.
La Notte del Verdicchio, Cupramontana.
For 14 years, on the 3rd Sunday of July, in Cupramontana, "La notte del Verdicchio" is performed, a white evening dedicated to the most important grape variety of our region. An event created to promote wine and commercial activities in the historic center, combining culture, food and wine.
Market. / mercato
Every Monday morning, around the center of Cupramontana is a market.. Stalls selling shoes, clothes, local vegetables/fruit/plants, household items, basically everything. Stroll around in the sun and drink a cappuccino on a terrace.
Always ask for what you want and don't try to pinch a product yourself, that is not really appreciated. It is also useful to bring cash.
In nearby Apiro there is a market on Sunday morning.
Click here for an overview of weekly markets in Le Marche.
Click here for large antique markets in Le Marche.
Infiorata
Italy, known for its rich cultural heritage, is home to countless traditions. One of these traditions is the ‘Infiorata’, a unique artistic exhibition where streets are decorated with elaborate floral carpets to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, known in Italian as ‘Corpus Domini’.
Although the infiorata is ostensibly a religious celebration, it is also an enjoyable and interesting event for everyone. People are invited to participate and help create the mosaics – if they are artistic enough! – and to simply enjoy watching and experiencing an ancient art technique.
The infiorita is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost.