Marches is a very beautiful region in the central part of Italy along the coast of the Adriatic. The stretch of coast offers beautiful sandy beaches and impressive rocks. Marches is still a relatively unknown destination for holidays, and it is a real shame! The region has almost everything one’s heart desires; historical sites, wonderful nature and great cuisine. 

The spectacular nature of Marches and a visit to the socalled truffle valleys are fantastic experiences which every gourmet and nature lover should give him- or herself. A visit to the truffle valleys is also a nice starting point for experiencing some of Marches’ classic cities, e.g. Urbino and Urbania.

In the region, you will also find the two national reserves, Parco del Conero and Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini' which are certainly worth a visit. 

Furthermore, you will find a large number of interesting cities in Marches, big and small, with exciting attractions, especially from the Middle Ages, and with a nice authentic atmosphere.

If you would like to shop for shoes during your holidays, Marches is the right place to go, indeed, because 1/3 of all shoes from Italy is produced here!

The landscape of Marches

Approximately 37% of the region is covered by mountains with heights of up to 1700 metres at some places. 53% consist of soft hills and the last 10% of flat country. 

You will be enchanted by the beautiful nature of Marches; in the mountains as well as in the soft hills, which are known for hiding valuable truffles on some spots.

The Marches region has several protected nature reserves where you can experience the landscape in all its splendour with small lakes and rivers.

On several spots, the coast is very beautiful and fascinating with high, steep rocks and beautiful sandy beaches. Inland, you will also meet beautiful and magnificent nature.

Large cities in Marches: Ancona, Ascoli Piceno og Urbino

Ancona is the capital of the region and is one of Italy’s liveliest ports. The harbour of Ancona is one of Italy’s most important and biggest harbours. When you arrive in Ancona, one of the first things you see is the beautiful Roman cathedral San Ciriaco which thrones above the sea and which is a really impressive sight. Within recent years, Ancona has flourished because the city has invested in restoration and embellishment of monuments and squares, so today, Ancona is definitely worth visiting.

Ascoli Piceno is the second largest city in the region. It is situated inland on a high plateau surrounded by two rivers, Castellano and Tronto. Ascol Piceno is an unusually beautiful and evocative city with a lot of light and many wonderful squares. Furthermore, it has a lot of attractions to offer.

Urbino can rightly be called an architectural gem. You will find renaissance buildings, and the city is an overwhelmingly beautiful experience.

Tourist attractions in Marches

If you love nature, you should visit the stalactite caves in Genga close to Fabriano. Here, you will find Italy’s largest cave, Grotte di Frasassi. The beautiful stalactite caves were not discovered until 1971, and therefore, the colours are very well-preserved as they have only been exposed to a few years of wear and tear and light. To step into the caves is like stepping into a new adventurous world of colours, sounds and light. You immediately imagine yourself in the middle of a scenery from Hans Christian Andersen’s “the Snow Queen”. There are guided tours in the caves every second hour in the daytime all year round.

Shoe enthusiasts should visit the shoe museum in Ascola Piceno; you will find exhibits of shoes from the last three centuries and a shoemaker shop from the 1940s. It is certainly worth looking for the shoe factories in the region because you will often find a little room from where they sell shoes at favourable prices.

In Ascola Piceno, you will also find an archaeological museum, many Roman churches, medieval churches, a city museum, an art museum and a lot more. 

In Urbino, you will find one of Marches’ large attractions, i.e. “Palazzo Ducale”, from where the historically important renaissance prince, Federico da Montefeltro, ruled. You can also visit the childhood home of the world-famous renaissance painter, Rafael, in Urbino.

The Portonovo bay, only 10 km south of Ancona, is a very beautiful excursion spot, which is often used in commercials because of its beauty. From Numana and Marcelli you can sail along the coast to Ancona and thereby really enjoy the wonderful nature.

Sports activities in Marches

The nature reserve Parco del Conero takes its starting point on the only mountain on the stretch of coast, the beautiful Monte Conero, which is covered by forests. Here, you will find a lot of paths and roads well suited for walks, trekking and mountain biking. On the mountain, you will find a lot of view points from where you can enjoy the beautiful Adriatic.

The national park, Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini covers more than 70,000 hectares and includes 18 councils in Marches as well as in Umbria. You will find a lot of really good trekking routes, among others, one that ends in the fantastic mountain lake “Lago di Pilato”, approximately 1500 metres above sea level.

Gastronomic characteristics of Marches

Marches is an exciting culinary experience to be acquainted with; you certainly find everything one’s heart desires, from fish and shellfish, meat and venison to many delicious sausages and hams.

Of course you will also often find truffles among the dishes from Marches, especially in the autumn where they come with dishes with other mushrooms, venison and other good food.

The wines of the region have become better and better within the recent years and Marches is still positioning itself in Italy as well as on the international wine market. 

The climate of Marches

June, July and August are the hottest months where temperatures reach between 25 and 30 degrees.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from the Italian Tourist Office. Photographers: Vito Arcomano - Fototeca ENIT