- Le Marche runs from the Apennine mountains down to a long Adriatic coastline
- Don't miss Urbino, the Conero Riviera and the Frasassi Caves
- Ancona airport is small, so Bologna is often the practical gateway
- A car is the easiest way to explore the hill towns inland
- Airports
- Ancona (AOI), Bologna (BLQ), Rimini (RMI), Pescara (PSR)
- Best time to go
- May-June and September
- Type
- Region
Le Marche (the Marches in older English books) lies on Italy's Adriatic side, across the Apennines from Tuscany and Umbria. Its landscape is a series of parallel valleys running from the mountains to the sea, with a hill town on almost every ridge. The coast mixes family beach resorts with the white limestone cliffs of Monte Conero, while inland are the high Sibillini mountains.
It is much less visited by British holidaymakers than Tuscany, which is a large part of its appeal: Italian family holidays, local food and genuinely uncrowded towns. For an overview of the country, see our Italy guide.
Things to do
- Urbino – a UNESCO-listed Renaissance town built around the Palazzo Ducale, which houses the national gallery of the Marche. Raphael was born here.
- The Conero Riviera – near Ancona, with Sirolo, Numana and Portonovo, and coves such as Due Sorelle that are usually reached by boat.
- Frasassi Caves – a huge karst cave system near Genga, visited on guided tours.
- Ascoli Piceno – a travertine city with one of Italy's loveliest squares, Piazza del Popolo, and the home of stuffed fried olives.
- Loreto – a major pilgrimage town whose basilica encloses the Holy House.
- Macerata – known for summer opera in the open-air Sferisterio, with Recanati, the home town of the poet Leopardi, nearby.
- Monti Sibillini National Park – high meadows, gorges and walking trails shared with Umbria.
- Pesaro and Gradara – Rossini's birthplace and its August opera festival, plus a fine medieval castle at Gradara.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Conero Riviera | Beaches, clifftop towns and quick access to Ancona airport |
| Urbino and the north | Renaissance art, rolling hills and the Pesaro coast |
| Inland around Macerata and Fermo | Farm stays and villas between the mountains and the sea |
| Ascoli Piceno | A handsome city base for the south and the Sibillini |
| San Benedetto del Tronto | Lively seaside resort with a long palm-lined promenade |
Getting there
Ancona Falconara airport (AOI) is the region's own airport, but its UK links are limited and seasonal, so check seasonal routes. Bologna, roughly two hours by car or train from Ancona, usually has more choice; Rimini and Pescara are other options for the north and south of the region. The Adriatic railway runs along the coast, linking Pesaro, Ancona and San Benedetto, but for inland towns you will want a car.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are best: warm enough for the beach but not crowded. July and August are peak Italian holiday season on the coast and the time for opera in Macerata and Pesaro. Autumn is good for walking and for the white truffle fairs around Acqualagna.
Beaches in Le Marche are often divided into lidos where you pay for a sunbed and umbrella; look for the "spiaggia libera" sections if you want a free spot.
Top attractions in Marche
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.
Marche on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Le Marche worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want Italian hill towns, good food and beaches without the crowds of Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. It is very much an Italian holiday destination, so English is less widely spoken.
What is the best base in Le Marche?
For a first visit, the Conero area works well for beaches and day trips. If you prefer culture and countryside, look inland near Urbino or Macerata.
Can you visit Le Marche without a car?
Partly. Coastal towns and Ancona are on the railway, and buses reach Urbino from Pesaro. The hill villages and countryside are much easier with a car.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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