- Fermo combines a hilltop old town with beaches 10 minutes away
- Visit the huge Roman cisterns beneath the town
- Porto San Giorgio is the main seaside resort
- Inland villages give views of the Sibillini mountains
- Airports
- Ancona (AOI), Pescara (PSR)
- Best time to go
- May-June and September
- Type
- Province
Fermo is a small, elegant hilltop town in the south of Le Marche, with sea views on one side and the Sibillini mountains on the other. It was an important Roman colony and later a university town, and its historic centre has a fine arcaded square and a cathedral on the top of the Girfalco hill.
The province is one of Italy's youngest, only up and running since 2009, and the area is known for shoemaking. It suits UK visitors looking for a villa or farm stay within reach of the beach. See our Italy guide for more.
Things to do
- Piazza del Popolo – an arcaded Renaissance square, home to the Palazzo dei Priori and its art gallery, which holds an early Rubens.
- The Roman cisterns – a vast underground network of vaulted chambers built to store water.
- The Girfalco – a park at the top of the town with the cathedral and wide views over the hills.
- Porto San Giorgio – a seaside resort with a marina and long beaches.
- Torre di Palme – a tiny medieval village on a cliff above the sea.
- Montefiore dell'Aso – a hill village with a museum of works by Carlo Crivelli.
- The Sibillini foothills – villages such as Amandola and Montefortino, good bases for walking.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Fermo old town | Atmosphere, views and a short drive to the beach |
| Porto San Giorgio | Seaside hotels and restaurants |
| Rural villas and agriturismi | Space, pools and views across the valleys |
| Amandola area | Gateway to the Sibillini mountains |
Getting there
Ancona airport is roughly an hour's drive and Pescara roughly an hour and a quarter; both have limited UK routes, so check seasonal routes, or consider Bologna. Porto San Giorgio has a station on the Adriatic railway line, with buses up to Fermo. A car is best for the countryside.
Best time to visit
Late spring and September are best. In August the town celebrates the Palio dell'Assunta, with a costumed procession and horse race around 15 August.
Combine a morning in Fermo with an afternoon swim at Porto San Giorgio; the drive takes about 15 minutes.
Top attractions in Fermo
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Fermo on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Fermo worth visiting?
Yes, for a relaxed, authentic town with lovely views and few tourists. It works best as part of a wider Marche trip.
Is Fermo near the beach?
Yes. Porto San Giorgio and Marina Palmense are only a short drive from the old town.
What are the Roman cisterns in Fermo?
A large underground reservoir system built in the 1st century AD, open for guided visits.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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