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If you’re looking for a beautiful Italian city to explore that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire, then you’ll certainly want to add Ancona, Italy to your travel bucket list. This is a beautiful city that is the capital of the Marche region in
Located on the Adriatic Sea, this city is known for its beaches, busy ports, and hilly outlooks offering great views of the sea and surrounding area. The city itself dates back to the time of the Greek and Roman empires. There is a tremendous amount of things, new and old, to explore in the Marche region. Its central location in Italy makes it easy to get to from nearly anywhere in Italy. Or, you could arrive via boat from Croatia, Montenegro, and even Greece.
As you start to plan your trip, this travel guide to Ancona, Italy will help you get a better picture of the area and see some of the best things you won’t want to miss. Take a look at a few key points below, and get ready to see one of the most beautiful areas in all of Italy.
A Brief History of Ancona
Ancona is one of the most important cities in all of Italy. It is a critical port city that overlooks the Adriatic Sea. A significant portion of the city dates back to the Middle Ages but, unfortunately, much of the area was bombed during World War II.
That being said, there are still some fun ancient ruins, beautiful monuments, and gorgeous, historic sites to explore. Emperor Trajan used to rule this area during the time of the Roman Empire, and the Arch of Trajan is still there. There is also a beautiful memorial that dates back to the First World War that overlooks the waterfront.
The coastline has a wide variety of sandy beaches. The beach area extends from Pesaro to Mount Conero, which has a rocky coast. There is also a beautiful resort, called Portonovo, at the base of the mountain.
There are plenty of ferries that depart from this area as well. Ferries from here head to Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia.
Getting To Ancona
In order to get to this city, you need to understand the options you have available. There are plenty of ferries that will get you to Ancona from some of the surrounding areas. Ferries will get you here from Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia. Some of the cities you can depart from include Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Patras, and Bar.
You can also take a train from some of the cities in the surrounding area. Examples include Aroma, Bari, and Venice.The easiest and quickest way to get to Ancone though is to fly into the Marche airport. The airport is not very big, but some of the airlines that fly into the local airport include Lufthansa, which flies in from Munich, and Ryanair, which flies in from London and Dusseldorf. You can also fly into the city from Brussels, Cagliari, and Barcelona.
Getting Around Ancona
Once you are in the city, you have several options on how you’ll get around town.
Public transportation is readily available if you’re up for navigating your route in Italian. You can try out the Conerobus, which is the local bus line. There are several bus lines available, and they will help you get around the majority of the city. Depending on the stop you are at, buses will leave every 15 minutes. You may need to plan your day accordingly.
During the summer months, there is also a shuttle bus service that runs from the ticket office to the ferry docks. This will make it much easier for you to arrive and leave the city. The schedule can be a bit unreliable at times, so be sure to talk to some of the locals to see if everyone is running on time that day. This will make it much easier for you to plan your trip.
The Top Things To Do in Ancona
Once you make it to this beautiful city, there are several attractions that you need to explore. They include:
1. The Cattedrale di San Ciriaco
This is arguably the most recognizable landmark in the city. There is a flight of steps that leads to the top of Monte Guasco, which is where the Ancona cathedral was built. It is dedicated to the Venus Euplea, and the temple has been standing for hundreds of years.
The cruciform church is from a style that dates back to the 12th century, and there is a large Gothic doorway with a beautiful facade on the front. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding city and the Adriatic Coast.
2. The Beaches Near Monte Conero
If you look to the south of the center of the city, you will spot Monte Conero. This rises several hundred meters above the city, and you will see a beautiful, protected ecological area at the top. There are dozens of hiking trails that will weave their way through the park, but you can also relax on the beautiful beaches.
Many of them are called “blue flag beaches,” which means that it is typically safe for swimming. The water temperature can be a bit cold, but there are plenty of beaches from which to choose, and it can be particularly refreshing on those warm summer days.
Pro tip: If you are looking for a way to get away from the crowds, head to the typically less crowded Mezzavalle Beach.
There are a few cafes scattered around here so you can easily grab a drink and take a break from the sun at one of them. There’s also a very large beach directly underneath the Promontory, called Portonovo Beach. There is a beautiful church, called Santa Maria di Portonovo, that is close to the beach as well.
You may also want to explore the shoreline of Sasi Neri, which is known for its very clean water. The town of Sirolo is nearby, and there is a lot to explore. Another nearby beach is Two Sisters beach, which is a bit rocky, but is only accessible by boat.
Finally, don’t forget to explore the resort beach of Numana Alta. This is where you can find some of the best restaurants. There are umbrellas available to rent, and there is an old fishing village nearby that’s worth you checking out.
3. The Harbor
The center of traffic in and around the city is located in the harbor. It is called The Piazza Della Repubblica. On the west side of this area, there is a beautiful harbor. At the north end of the city, there is the Arco di Traiano. It dates back to the time of the Roman Empire.
There are large walls that were built more than 2,000 years ago. You can even walk on the walls to get a better view and feel of the history. If you look to the west, you will see the Arco Clementino, which dates back to the 18th century. There is also a large archaeological museum in the local area, which happens to be #5 on our list of things to do in Ancona, so if you haven’t gotten your fill of history yet, head there next.
4. Santuario della Santa Casa
If you’re interested in getting to know the surrounding area, too, a great day trip to take during your getaway is to Santuario Della Santa Casa. It is located in Loreto. It’s situated on a hill that is just off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is approximately 12 miles away from Ancona. It is a popular place of pilgrimage for followers of the Catholic faith.
According to a legend, a very important religious individual was transported to Loreto during the 13th century. The temple was erected in honor of that individual. There was also an additional facade that was added in the 16th century. There are lots of beautiful figures and reliefs painted on the door.
If you love religious architecture, you will definitely have your fill of it during your visit. It can get a bit crowded, so you should try to arrive early in the day.
5. The National Archeological Museum
During your visit to the city, you should explore the archaeological museum, as well. You can find artifacts that date back to the 16th century located in the Palazzo Ferretti. It has a lot of prehistoric artifacts, but you will see everything from the Paleolithic Era to the Middle Ages located in the museum.
There are dozens of rooms that will give you a good sense of what life used to be like in the area. It is certainly worth seeing, particularly when you can enjoy some frescoes that were painted by Pellegrino Tibaldi. The hours of the museum can vary depending on the time of the year, so be sure to confirm them before you make the trip over there.
6. Museo Tattile Statale Omero
If you visit the Ancona harbor, you will see the Mole Vanvitelliana, which is a pentagonal building. It used to be held as a quarantine station but is a universal Art Museum today. You’re invited to visit the museum and even touch all of the artwork. If you are looking for a multi-sensory exhibit, you’ve come to the right place! It is meant to be a three-dimensional encyclopedia of art history.
There are some works from Michelangelo at the museum, and you’ll also see some works by more contemporary sculptors. Examples include Arturo Martini and Giorgio de Chirico. There are also some models of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Pantheon on display in the museum. Typically, they are cut-away reproductions, which makes it easier for you to see inside as well.
7. The Santa Maria Della Piazza
This is another beautiful church that you should explore during your visit to Ancona. The original building was constructed in the sixth century, and the foundations of that building are still in place today. The rest of the building was constructed during the 13th century. If you take a look at the portal, you will see a lot of intricate carvings.
The facade is highly decorated, and dalmatian marble was used to complete the structure. Even though the upper portion of the facade was never finished, the interior of the building is relatively simple. This is a beautiful example of Roman architecture, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is definitely worth exploring during your visit to Ancona.
8. Piazza del Plebiscito
This is a popular place to relax and watch the people go by. If you want to get a feel for what it is like to live in the local area, this is definitely a place you should explore. There are several cafes in the area, the outdoor space is overlooked by some large statues, and there are plenty of historic public buildings if you tire of sitting.
If you look to one end of the piazza, you will see the church of Saint Dominico. It was built at the end of the eighteenth century, and there is a painting of the Crucifixion by Titan inside. Some of the other features you may want to check out in the area include the Palazzo Benincasa, the Loggia dei Mercanti, and the Palazzo del Governo.
These are beautiful examples of Gothic architecture that also date back to the 15th century. Finally, there is also a statue of Pope Clement XII in the square. For a fun game, see if you can identify all of these important landmarks in the area!
9. Pasetto Beach
You should not skip an opportunity to visit Passetto Beach. This is a beautiful location that includes a gorgeous marble monument. The monument itself is a World War 1 memorial. It was built during the 1930s, and it was heavily influenced by the fascist government of Italy at the time.
At the time, the country was ruled by Benito Mussolini, and while fascism was defeated during WWII, many of the monuments remain today. They serve as a testament to the history of the era, so to enjoy your sightseeing even more, you may want to learn more about it before your visit.
10. Museo Diocesano
This is a beautiful museum that used to serve as a palace for the bishop. It’s just to the left of the cathedral, and it contains work from a variety of other churches. Even though portions of the building were damaged during WWII, much of the building is still intact. You can take a look at the Romanesque Church of San Pietro, as there is a reconstruction of the building inside.
11. The Roman Amphitheater
If you look up at Monte Guasco, you will see the ruins of a very large Roman amphitheater. The amphitheater was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. When it was actually in use, it could hold as many as 10,000 people, but today, it is unfortunately nothing more than an archaeological site.
There are some people who even believe that it used to be home to a gladiator school. Now, it is an opportunity for you to learn more about what life was like during the time of the Roman Empire.
12. The Parco del Cardeto
Looking for a gorgeous park to give yourself a break from the monuments, ruins, and city in general? This is definitely one that you need to visit@ It will give you a gorgeous view of the area, and it is a great opportunity to get some exercise. You can’t access the beach from here but the park is free to enter.
During the spring, you will see a lot of flowers that are blooming as well. This could also be a gorgeous place to have a picnic lunch, so don’t hesitate to bring a blanket and picnic basket with you. You might even be tempted to roll over, relax, and take a small nap in the sunshine.
13. The Accordion Factory
A really unique thing to Italy is their love for accordions. You can see this love up close and personal at the beautiful accordion factory, run by Serenellini. Even if you don’t play a musical instrument, it’s definitely still something you should check out.
This is also a place where people learn how to make accordions, so you can see a lot of students in action. Many of the accordions here are made by hand, and the attention to detail is absolutely unparalleled. You might even get a free accordion lesson if you ask nicely.
14. Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi
If you’re looking for a fun place to go shopping and stock up on souvenirs, this is definitely the street to explore. You will find a wide variety of Italian and international goods available, and there are even new stores that open up from time to time.
You can also stop to grab an espresso or a cup of coffee, which you can carry with you as you take a look at the selection. If you are interested in recommendations for stores to explore, you may want to talk to some of the locals. They will point you in the right direction.
15. Swim in the Adriatic
Finally, depending on the time of year you visit, you’ll need to go for a swim in the Adriatic Sea. This Sea is home to some of the cleanest waters in the world, and a dip can feel refreshing. It may be a bit cold, but if you see other people going in the water, this is your cue that you need to jump in, too!
Be sure to pay attention to the flags, though. They will indicate whether the water is safe to swim in. Then, when you are done, consider making the trek back up to one of the local cafes. You can grab a nice drink, sit back, and relax.
Enjoy Everything the Romanesque Province of Ancona has to Offer: Plan Your Next Getaway
There is a tremendous amount of history to uncover all throughout the Adriatic Coast and Ancona is certainly no exception. During your visit to Ancona, don’t forget to check out some artifacts that date back to the ancient Byzantine empire, the Renaissance, and World War II.
Although known for its history, it has continued to be a fantastic place to visit in Italy due to its convenient location, beautiful beaches, delicious food, and of course, great places to stay.
This is the sign you’ve been waiting for: it’s time to book your trip to Ancona, Italy. We’re sure you’re going to love it!
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Mayovskyy
