Pesaro - Urbino: Discover Renaissance, Nature and the Adriatic Coast

Between the Renaissance, nature and the Adriatic coast

The historic centre of Urbino is located in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Marche region.

Urbino and the heritage of the Renaissance

The historic centre of Urbino preserves Renaissance walls with bastions that are almost completely intact. The complex includes the Ducal Palace, the cathedral, the Santa Chiara convent and a complex system of oratories. Urbino is considered a pinnacle of Renaissance art and architecture, exceptionally harmoniously adapted to its natural setting and medieval predecessor.

The Museo Nazionale Rossini in Pesaro is located on the piano nobile of Palazzo Montani Antaldi and documents Gioachino Rossini's biography and extensive operatic output in ten rooms. The wider regional surroundings of the Province of Pesaro e Urbino also include the historic site of Palazzo Ducale and the ruins of Fortezza Albornoz. The Museo della Civiltà Contadina, Grotte, Arte Sacra is also located in this wider regional area.

Nature parks, coast and trails

The Parco Naturale Interregionale del Sasso Simone e Simoncello covers 4,791 hectares and is located in the provinces of Pesaro-Urbino and Rimini. A trail in the Sasso Simone area runs entirely through the forest; large boulders that have slid down from the slopes create a fairytale atmosphere. The surroundings of the Province of Pesaro e Urbino also include Cima Castiglione, Monte San Lorenzo, Poggio le Guaine and Il Cimaio.

The Parco Naturale Regionale del Monte San Bartolo has a spectacular cliff coast on the Adriatic Sea. Its highest points are reached on the hills of San Bartolo and Castellaro, as well as near Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola di Focara. The park is an important area for bird migration and the overwintering of various bird species. Nature excursions, motorboat trips, festivals and cultural tours are organised there. The Colombarone archaeological site is also located in the Parco Naturale Regionale del Monte San Bartolo along the ancient Via Flaminia.

Itinerary 2 of the Parco Naturale Regionale del Monte San Bartolo leads from Fiorenzuola di Focara via the village of Casteldimezzo to Tetto del Mondo. The Pesaro-Fano cycling and walking route runs along its own dedicated track and is well signposted.

Activities, regional products and events

The CEA Furlo e Valle del Metauro offers, among other activities, archaeological trekking in the Acqualagna area. Acqualagna is known as the truffle capital of the Marche; trekking, cycling and birdwatching are possible in the Furlo state nature reserve. In Urbania, the CEA San Martino offers guided educational visits along the approximately 1,500-metre-long Bosco dei Folletti nature and fantasy trail. Goblin statues and their little houses tell the story of a fantasy family there.

An official discovery route through the olive-growing landscape of the Marche begins in Sassocorvaro Auditore in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino, near Lago di Mercatale. Sassocorvaro Auditore is known for producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil and is surrounded by extensive olive groves. In Gradara, the “Il Medioevo a Tavola” initiative organises medieval cuisine days throughout the year, during which the town's restaurants are transformed into 15th-century taverns.

In Urbania, the Festa della Befana is a traditional family event. The Bronzi Dorati da Cartoceto are the only gilded bronze group from the Roman era to have survived to the present day.

Thematic orientation

The official tourist map of the province presents eight thematic routes: sea, gentle hills and ancient villages, parks and nature, culture, regional products, Roman heritage, family activities and events. Printed copies are available in Italian and English at the IAT tourist information centres in Pesaro, Urbino, Fano and Gabicce Mare.

Other places in Pesaro - Urbino

Frontone, Pieve di Cagna, Petriano, Sassofeltrio, Case Bruciate, Montefelcino, Mondolfo, Santa Veneranda, Novilara, Tranquillo, Città Di Castello, Fano, Fermignano, Fratte Rosa, Gabicce Mare, Mombaroccio, Monte Cerignone, Monteguiduccio, Monte Porzio, Montemaggiore Al Metauro, Montesecco, Pesaro, San Costanzo, Tavoleto, Urbino, Acqualagna, Apecchio, Belforte All'isauro, Cagli, Piobbico, Urbania, Fiorenzuola Di Focara, Marotta, Macerata Feltria, Chiaserna, Calmazzo, Villagrande, Trebbiantico, Montecalvo In Foglia, Gradara, Carpegna, Torrette, Sant'angelo In Vado, Montelabbate, Mercatale, Mercatello Sul Metauro, Pergola, San Giorgio Di Pesaro, Barchi, Montebello, Bargni, Candelara, Fossombrone, Colbordolo, Montegrimano, Tavullia, Piagge, Serra Sant'abbondio, Borgo Pace, Sassocorvaro Pu, Montevecchio, Cuccurano, Smirra, Villa Del Monte, Casinina, Ginestreto, Isola di Fano, Rio Salso-Case Bernardi, Cartoceto, San Michele, Frontino, Peglio, Canavaccio, Mondavio, Cantiano, Monteciccardo, Massa, Auditore, Orciano Di Pesaro, Santa Maria Dell'arzilla, Piandimeleto, Fenile, Belvedere Fogliense, Montesoffio, Lunano, Borgo Santa Maria, Gallo, Sant'Ippolito, Mercatino Conca, Calcinelli, San Lorenzo In Campo, Ca' Romano I, Saltara, Lucrezia, Sorbolongo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Marche.