Discover Ancona: port city between Monte Conero and the Adriatic

Ancona between the port, promontory and Adriatic coast

Ancona lies in the northern part of the Monte Conero promontory, at a natural harbor overlooking a broad stretch of the Adriatic coast. The historic center is just a few meters from the ferry terminal. This brings the city’s maritime setting, history and access to the landscapes of Conero together within a compact area. Depending on the focus of your trip, you can discover Ancona as a starting point for nature experiences, a destination for culture and architecture, or a place to enjoy regional cuisine.

Hiking trails on Conero

Parco del Conero can be explored on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike along a network of 18 trails. For orientation on site, it is important to know that the trails are mainly accessed via the SP1 provincial road. Other important access points are located near Poggio di Ancona, Varano and Sirolo.

Sentiero 301, the Traversata del Conero, is an 8.3 km hike with a stated duration of four hours. It starts at Poggio Sant'Antonio and offers views of Portonovo and the Due Sorelle. Sentiero 309, the Anello di Portonovo, follows a 2.3 km circular route with a stated duration of one hour, passing Lago Grande, Fortino Napoleonico, a watchtower, Lago Profondo and the church of Santa Maria di Portonovo.

A shorter option is Sentiero 313, the Sentiero della Scalaccia. The 1.8 km hiking route begins in Pietralacroce in Ancona and has a stated duration of one hour. It leads to a viewpoint on the rocky coast, from which a fish-farming facility dating from Roman times can be seen. The 2.2 km walking trail Sentiero 301A, the Belvedere Nord route, runs through the forest to a viewpoint above the sea and the former monastery of the Camaldolese. The different trail lengths help you plan according to your preferred pace and interests.

Sentiero 301B, the Incisioni Rupestri route, leads to a limestone rock surface of approximately 70 m². It features engraved depictions, depressions and cup marks, some of which are connected by channels. In this way, movement through the landscape is combined with an unusual cultural and historical theme.

Architecture and history in the city

The Cattedrale di San Ciriaco stands on the remains of a Greek temple. It houses the body of Saint Cyriacus, the patron saint of Ancona, as well as the mortal remains of Saint Liberius and Saint Marcellinus. The Arco di Traiano is a structure with a single arch and two Corinthian columns on a limestone podium. It was restored in 2000 and made fully accessible by removing the 19th-century grille.

During guided tours, the Anfiteatro Romano di Ancona is considered the most important event venue of Roman Ancona and a place to explore the city’s multilayered history. The Museo Tattile Statale Omero offers another perspective on art. It presents art through tactile models, copies and casts, archaeological finds, and original works by contemporary artists.

The Mole Vanvitelliana is a building with a pentagonal floor plan at the entrance to the old port. It was built as a Lazzaretto for the quarantine of people and goods from overseas and was later converted into a venue for cultural events. In Castelfidardo, the Museo Internazionale della Fisarmonica opened on May 9, 1981. Castelfidardo is known worldwide for the production of this instrument; in 1863, Paolo Soprani founded Italy’s first accordion industry there.

Natural areas and practical excursions

In Jesi, the WWF Ripa Bianca Oasis is a 310-hectare river oasis. It lies in a Special Area of Conservation, forms part of the regional reserve of the same name and is also designated as a Special Protection Area. At Ripa Bianca, visitors can explore various habitats and observe birds from birdwatching hides by the lake.

For an excursion to the Frasassi Caves in San Vittore delle Chiuse, online purchases come with the following requirement: visitors should reach the car park at the entrance at least 15 minutes before the time stated on the ticket and go directly to the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus is free and included in the purchased admission ticket. This specific time requirement is part of planning such an excursion and should be taken into account when organizing the day.

Regional cuisine around Ancona

Rosso Conero is a DOC wine made from the Montepulciano grape, produced on the slopes of Monte Conero. Production covers the municipalities of Ancona, Camerano, Sirolo and Numana, as well as Offagna and parts of Castelfidardo and Osimo. A typical dish from Ancona is Stoccafisso, dried cod with potatoes, tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Also closely associated with the Conero coast is the Mosciolo selvatico di Portonovo, a mussel recognized as a Slow Food Presidium. Ancona is also home to Brodetto, a typical fish soup.

When choosing a hotel in Ancona, you can first decide whether the focus of your trip should be on the historic center, the hiking trails on Conero, excursions into nature, museums or regional cuisine.

Other places in the Ancona area

Loreto, Camerata Picena, Corinaldo, Cupramontana, San Vittore, Filottrano, Montecarotto, Monterado, Osimo, Ostra, Senigallia, Cancelli, Numana, Agugliano, Mergo, Arcevia, Fabriano, Castelbellino, Serra Deʼ Conti, Monte Roberto, Marina Di Montemarciano, Falconara Marittima, Ancona, Pianello Vallesina, Castelfidardo, Cerquete, Chiaravalle, Camerano, Campodonico, Sassoferrato, Rustico, Poggio D'ancona, Castelplanio, Jesi, Montemarciano, Sirolo, Rocca Priora, Morro D'alba, Genga, Maiolati Spontini, San Marcello, Staffolo, Monsano, Serra San Quirico, Monte San Vito, Castelferretti, Poggio San Marcello, San Sabino, Cabernardi, San Biagio, Rosora, Villaggio Taunus, Piticchio, Trecastelli, Montesicuro, Moie, Angeli di Rosora, Loretello, Marcelli, Offagna, Polverigi, San Paolo Di Jesi, Cerreto D'esi, Montoro, Bettolelle, Ostra Vetere, Campodiegoli, Caudino, Candia, Precicchie, Villa Romana, Marzocca, Coldellanoce, Torrette, Nebbiano, Scapezzano, Colleaprico.

To the overarching travel overview: Marche.