Marche 2027: Authentic Experiences across Villages, Coastlines and Mountains
Italy’s “plural region”: an experiential journey across the Adriatic Sea, cultivated hills, historic villages and the Sibillini Mountains.
Why choose the Marche for your 2027 trips?
The Marche Region’s official tourism portal speaks of the “Marche in the plural”: a heritage made of Adriatic seafood flavours, rich dishes from the hills and mountains, craft workshops in historic town centres and great names born in the region, from Raphael to Leopardi and from Rossini to Maria Montessori. This variety is the common thread of this guide. Source: Marche Region – Uniqueness
An Italian way of life between hills, villages and sea
The Region describes the Marche hinterland as a blend of lush nature and “still intact rural traditions”, with “soft, rounded lines of hillsides caressed by the hand of man” and small villages “surrounded by an authentic, genuine atmosphere”. The sea, moreover, is only a few kilometres from the mountains. Source: Marche Region – Villages Source: Marche Region – Nature
The Three Faces of the Marche
The territory can be read in three registers: the villages and art cities of the interior, the Adriatic coast with the Conero Riviera, and the Sibillini Mountains. Besides the Sibillini, the official portal lists among the region’s parks the regional parks of Monte Conero, Sasso Simone e Simoncello, Monte San Bartolo and Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi. Source: Marche Region – Nature
Renaissance and Historic Villages: Art, Crafts and Timeless Traditions
Urbino
The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The Ducal Palace, commissioned by Federico da Montefeltro (1444-1482) and called by Baldassarre Castiglione a “palace in the form of a city”, houses the National Gallery of the Marche, with Piero della Francesca’s Flagellation and Madonna of Senigallia and Raphael’s La Muta. Source: Marche Region – Urbino Source: UNESCO – Urbino
Ascoli Piceno
Travertine paves the historic centre; Piazza del Popolo brings together the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, the Liberty-style Caffè Meletti, the Church of San Francesco and the 16th-century Merchants’ Loggia. The Quintana, a jousting tournament, takes place in the square on the first Sunday of August. Source: Marche Region – Ascoli Piceno
Gradara
The village stands 142 metres above sea level, near the Romagna border. The official site presents the castle as the most visited monument in the Marche and offers a walk of about 300 metres along the ramparts (paid admission). Source: Gradara – official site
In the footsteps of Lorenzo Lotto
In Recanati, the grand polyptych for the Dominicans; in Jesi, at the Pinacoteca Civica in Palazzo Pianetti, the St. Lucy Polyptych, the Visitation and the Madonna of the Roses; in Loreto, where he retired in 1552 and became an oblate of the Holy House, the Stories from the Life of Christ for the Sanctuary’s choir. Source: Turismo Jesi – Lorenzo Lotto
According to the regional portal, workshops in the historic centres produce inlaid jewellery, handmade lace, ceramics and accordions, using techniques inspired by the traditions of the territory. Source: Marche Region – Uniqueness
The Riviera and the Sea: from the Conero Beaches to the Adriatic Coast
Monte Conero (572 m) breaks the regular profile of the Adriatic; the Riviera has more than 20 kilometres of coastline, with Blue Flag beaches. Portonovo is a bay of white pebbles with two natural lakes, the Napoleonic Fort, the Clementine Tower and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria di Portonovo; Sirolo offers medieval lanes and a panoramic terrace over the Adriatic; the Due Sorelle, two white sea stacks, can be reached only by sea. Source: Italia.it – Riviera del Conero
The Conero Park, in the province of Ancona, combines limestone cliffs, sand and pebble beaches, Mediterranean scrub and sea caves. To continue along the coast, also read The Conero Riviera and the Riviera delle Palme. Source: Marche Region – Parks
Mountains and Nature: the Monti Sibillini National Park and Outdoor Excursions
The Monti Sibillini National Park spreads between the provinces of Macerata and Ascoli Piceno: a mountain area of imposing peaks, deep valleys, alpine lakes and rich flora and fauna, suited to hiking, mountaineering, trekking, wildlife watching and cycling, including the Grande Anello dei Sibillini. Source: Marche Region – Parks
From Visso, the regional portal describes a 79 km (difficult) cycling loop touching Castelluccio and Castelsantangelo sul Nera. Monte Vettore is the highest peak in the Marche and holds Lake Pilato; the Sibyl’s Cave is inhabited, according to legend, by a seeress; in spring Pian Grande and Pian Perduto bloom with poppies, cornflowers and daisies. Source: Marche Region – Visso and the Sibillini
The mountains and streams of the Marche also lend themselves to canoeing, kayaking, rafting, paragliding, caving and canyoning, as well as cycling and horse riding. Source: Marche Region – Nature
Food and Wine Experiences and Local Excellence
Typical products, wine (Verdicchio, Rosso Conero, Pecorino) and taste itineraries
Vincisgrassi
Seven layers of hand-rolled pasta with béchamel and ragù, among the best-known dishes of the Macerata area.
Olive all’ascolana
Made with the Tenera Ascolana PDO olive, a typical starter.
Ciauscolo PGI
A spreadable pork salami with PGI status.
Casciotta d’Urbino PDO
A cheese with a fresh milky taste and an aromatic scent.
Truffle
White or black: Acqualagna hosts three national fairs dedicated to it.
Products and dishes are those Italia.it lists among the specialities not to miss; for more, see the Food and Wine section of ItalyTrade. Source: Italia.it – Marche products
In 2026 the 61st International White Truffle Fair of Acqualagna (Piazza Mattei) is held on 25 and 31 October and on 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 November, with a fresh truffle market, cooking shows, tastings and stands of Marche and Italian specialities. Source: Marche Region – Acqualagna truffle fair
The wines of the Marche
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC is made with at least 85% Verdicchio, in types such as Classico and Riserva, and pairs with fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Rosso Conero DOC is born on the Conero promontory from at least 85% Montepulciano. Offida Pecorino DOCG contains at least 85% Pecorino and is described as straw yellow with green hues, with notes of white flowers, pineapple, anise and sage. Source: Marche Region – Wines
Events and Major Cultural Attractions
Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro
The festival describes itself as “one of Europe’s premier music festivals, the only international event entirely dedicated to the genius of Gioachino Rossini”, with venues at the Teatro Rossini and the Auditorium Scavolini. Source: Rossini Opera Festival
The 2027 edition is announced for 12 to 24 August, with La donna del lago (new production), Adina (revival of Rosetta Cucchi’s 2018 staging), Tancredi (new production) and the Petite messe solennelle; casts will be announced later. For other events see Festivals in Italy. Source: OperaWire – ROF 2027
Sferisterio, Macerata
The neoclassical arena, designed by Ireneo Aleandri and funded by one hundred citizens, was built for the game of pallone col bracciale: the long wall measures 88 metres by 18 in height, with 56 columns. The opera season began in 1921 with Aida; the arena holds over 3,000 people. Source: Arena Sferisterio
Loreto and Recanati
In Loreto the Sanctuary houses the Holy House; the marble casing, commissioned by Julius II, was designed by Bramante from 1507. Since 1978 the Macerata-Loreto pilgrimage has drawn thousands of people on foot each year. Source: Italia.it – Sanctuary of Loreto
In Recanati the Orto delle monache, next to Leopardi’s house, is where the poet wrote L’Infinito in 1819, at the heart of the Colle dell’Infinito. Source: FAI – Colle dell’Infinito
How to Plan the Perfect Itinerary in the Marche
Getting there
According to the regional portal, the Marche can be reached by car in 3 h 50 from Milan, 3 h 20 from Venice, 3 h from Florence, 2 h 30 from Rome and 4 h from Naples. By air you stop at Ancona Raffaello Sanzio airport, with listed connections from Milan, Rome, Naples, Olbia, Cagliari, Palermo and Catania, and from abroad from London (Stansted and Gatwick), Brussels (Charleroi), Munich and Tirana; ferries leave the port of Ancona for Croatia, Albania and Greece. Source: Marche Region – Getting there
The airport, operated by Aerdorica, is based in Falconara Marittima (AN). Source: Marche Airport
Suggested itineraries
To build your trip you can start from ItalyTrade’s proposals: 3-day itinerary, 5-day itinerary or 7-day itinerary. The stops on this page are gathered in the detailed itinerary below. Source: Marche Region – Getting there
7-day itinerary: from the northern coast to the Sibillini Mountains
Gradara
The castle and the walk along the ramparts (about 300 metres), with views over the Marche hills on one side and the Romagna coast and the Adriatic on the other. Source: Gradara – official site
Urbino
UNESCO historic centre, Ducal Palace and the National Gallery of the Marche with Piero della Francesca and Raphael. Source: Marche Region – Urbino Source: UNESCO – Urbino
Conero Riviera: Portonovo and Sirolo
The bay of Portonovo with the Napoleonic Fort and the Clementine Tower, then the medieval lanes and panoramic terrace of Sirolo. Source: Italia.it – Riviera del Conero
Recanati and Loreto
In Recanati the Orto delle monache and the Colle dell’Infinito; in Loreto the Sanctuary of the Holy House with Bramante’s marble casing. Source: FAI – Colle dell’Infinito Source: Italia.it – Sanctuary of Loreto
Macerata and the Sferisterio
Ireneo Aleandri’s neoclassical arena, home to the opera season since 1921. Source: Arena Sferisterio
Ascoli Piceno
Piazza del Popolo, Caffè Meletti, the travertine centre and the Ercolani Tower, one of the city’s medieval towers. Source: Marche Region – Ascoli Piceno
Visso and the Sibillini Mountains
The heart of the National Park: Monte Vettore, Lake Pilato, the Sibyl’s Cave and the cycling loop from Visso. Source: Marche Region – Visso and the Sibillini
FAQ — Marche 2027
The regional portal describes the “Marche in the plural”: flavours of the sea, hills and mountains, crafts in historic centres and great names born in the region. In 2027 the Rossini Opera Festival is announced for 12 to 24 August. Source: Marche Region – Uniqueness Source: OperaWire – ROF 2027
From 12 to 24 August 2027, with La donna del lago, Adina, Tancredi and the Petite messe solennelle. Casts will be announced later. Source: OperaWire – ROF 2027
By car, 2 h 30 from Rome and 3 h from Florence; by air, via Ancona Raffaello Sanzio airport; by sea, from the port of Ancona, with connections to Croatia, Albania and Greece. Source: Marche Region – Getting there
Yes: the historic centre of Urbino has been on the World Heritage List since 1998, for its influence on European culture and as a pinnacle of Renaissance art and architecture. Source: UNESCO – Urbino
The Monti Sibillini National Park and the regional parks of Monte Conero, Sasso Simone e Simoncello, Monte San Bartolo and Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi. Source: Marche Region – Nature
Among the main ones: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, Rosso Conero DOC, Offida Pecorino DOCG, Rosso Piceno DOC and Falerio dei Colli Ascolani DOC. Source: Marche Region – Wines
Ciauscolo PGI, Casciotta d’Urbino PDO, olive all’ascolana, vincisgrassi and white or black truffle. Source: Italia.it – Marche products
The jousting tournament is held in Piazza del Popolo on the first Sunday of August. Source: Marche Region – Ascoli Piceno
The castle, presented by the official site as the most visited monument in the Marche, and the walk along the ramparts of about 300 metres (paid admission). Source: Gradara – official site
The Marche in the plural: a journey to build stop by stop
From the Adriatic’s seafood flavours to the dishes of the hills and mountains, from the craft workshops of historic centres to the great names born in the region, the Marche tell their story in the plural. To turn these stops into a trip, start from our Tailor-made trip page or the Marche Region section of ItalyTrade. Source: Marche Region – Uniqueness
Villages, coastlines and mountains: three faces, one region.
Who wrote this article? On what basis?
📋 Transparency and Verifiability
Who wrote it:
Giuseppe Baldassarri
— ItalyTrade.org.
What it is based on: Verified sources, linked in the text.
Other points of view: Yes, indicated where relevant.
Possible hidden interest: None. Independent editorial content.
Giuseppe Baldassarri
Giuseppe Baldassarri Giuseppe Baldassarri Senior Revenue Manager & AI Search Specialist (AEO/GEO) | Sales & Account Manager | Destination & Export Marketing | Travel Designer | Vivi l’Italia – italytrade.org
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