Why Visit Le Marche? 6 Things We Love About Le Marche, Italy

The Ducal Palace in Urbino, a beautiful city in Le Marche.

6 Reasons to Visit Le Marche, Italy

Hilltop Towns

Rich in history, monuments, and churches, the hilltop towns of Le Marche are off the beaten path and rarely overcrowded. While there are too many to name, here are a few to offer you a glimpse of these charming towns.

One of the most notable is Cingoli. Located on the edge of the provinces of Macerata and Ancona, it is also known as the “Balcony of Le Marche” for its spectacular views.

Just an hour’s drive from there, but don’t expect it to be deserted, is the striking town of Loreto, a popular pilgrimage site second only to Lourdes in France. Heading further south you will come across Fermo, a well preserved medieval town perched on top of Sabulo Hill. You’ll also encounter Acquaviva Picena, home to a formidable 13^th century fortress that is one of the most beautiful in the region.

Loreto, Le Marche

Beaches

Situated along the Adriatic Coast, it should come as no surprise that Le Marche offers some amazing beaches. Over 20 beaches in this region are recognized as blue flag beaches indicating that they have met standards established by the Foundation for Environmental Education including cleanliness and safety.

You will be spoilt for choice as Le Marche boasts sandy as well as pebble-stoned beaches with some located near towns and others that are completely immersed in nature. From the popular beach resort of San Benedetto del Tronto – perfect for families –  to the secluded paradise of Mezzavalle, there is a beach for everyone!

Why visit Le Marche? Exploring pristine beaches – such as this one in Mezzavalle – is a great reason!

Nature

Another reason to visit Le Marche? The gorgeous natural landscapes. Traveling east from the Apennines mountains towards the coast, the spectacular landscape evolves from a mountainous terrain to one that is gentle with wine and olive groves before giving way to seaside towns.

For those who love the outdoors, the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains which continues into Umbria boasts incredible views as well as fascinating wildlife. In addition to the different hiking trails in the National Park, activities such as horse riding and mountain biking are also possible.

Also worth visiting is the Conero Natural Park with its rugged coast. Although the hike is challenging, you will be rewarded with stunningly breathtaking views!

View of Conero Natural Park

Castles

While there are plenty of castles dotting the landscape, the most spectacular is the fairy-tale like Gradara castle perched on a hilltop 465 feet high. Built between the 11^th and 14^th century, it had seen contentions between various families and is known as a symbol for lovers thanks to the poet Dante. In his poem the Divine Comedy, he recounts the tragic love affair which took place at this castle.

Medieval wall of Gradara Castle

Another castle worth noting is Rocca Roveresca in the seaside town of Senigallia. In the past, the castle had not only been the town’s stronghold but also headquarters of an important artillery school, prison, hospital and orphanage. Today it hosts exhibitions and cultural events.

Food and Wine

Relatively unknown outside of Italy, Le Marche is a thriving wine production region boasting 12 DOC and 2 DOCG wines. The best known of these wines is the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, an outstanding white wine from the province of Ancona.

Similar to the wines from this region, the cuisine is lesser-known than that of its neighboring regions of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. As a region on the Adriatic coast it is common to find typical seafood dishes and one such dish is brodetto, a classic fish stew with variations in each town.

Don’t be surprised to find seafood dishes in Le Marche.

From the land, you have to try the appetizer olive ascolane which are crispy fried stuffed olives and the classic baked pasta dish vincisgrassi, which is similar to the well-known lasagna. This dish uses a pasta sauce recipe that dates back to 1784 found in Il Cuoco Maceratese (The Chef from Macerata) by Antonio Nebbia and through time, adaptations have been made.

Other typical products from Le Marche are the Prosciutto of Carpegna (a D.O.P-protected ham) and ciauscolo, a soft salami that is spread on bread like pâté.

Shopping

There is plenty of shopping to be done in Le Marche and it is the place for bargain hunters! The region has a large number of designer factory outlets such as Prada and Tod’s. If that isn’t enough, here’s a well-kept secret – you will find quality leather goods, especially in the areas of Macerata and Ascoli Piceno.

Why visit Le Marche? Shopping, especially for leather goods, is a great reason!