Le Marche, Italy's only plural region, whose very name hints at the multitude of wonders it offers its visitors.

Sea, mountains, hills, rivers, and lakes are all part of the natural heritage of this region, where you can completely change the atmosphere in just a few minutes.

Its natural beauty goes hand-in-hand with the numerous art cities found across the region, from its northern tip all the way to the Abruzzo border.

History, religion, culture, nature: this region isn't just a destination to visit. Every single town in Marche is a whole world waiting to be discovered.

Don't believe us?

Well then, get ready: here's a mini-tour through 4 towns in Marche that might be less known, but we promise they'll make you want to pack your bags and leave right away!

Marche's Coastal Towns: Fano, the town born 'for Fortune'

Our tour starts in the north of the region with a town that will give you so many surprises: Fano, in the province of Pesaro-Urbino.

It has an important historic center, but that's not all. It has a beautiful waterfront and a port to explore, but that's not all.

It's perfect for those who want to relax, but also for those looking for an active holiday.

Churches, palaces, and houses are all treasures waiting to be discovered.

So... it's definitely worth getting to know it better.

Fano's Walls and City Center

Back during the Roman Empire, Fano was known as Fanum Fortunae. It was a super important hub because it was where the Via Flaminia met the Adriatic Sea.

Even today, you can still clearly see signs of that really important time, especially the Arch of Augustus, which was the entrance to the Roman city. If you want to see it at its best, we suggest heading up to the Pincio gardens – you'll get the best view of the Arch from there!

About two-thirds of the original Augustan Walls are still standing, and they're really impressive. And if you pop into the Mediateca Mentanari, you can check out the remains of the Augusteum, a building once used for imperial worship.

In the city center, you'll be greeted by the Fountain of Fortune, topped with a statue of the Goddess Fortuna. It's so beautiful and charming, you'd never guess it's a copy! The original is kept in the Museum of Palazzo Malatestiano, where you'll also find:

• the Pinacoteca (art gallery), featuring paintings by artists like Guercino, Guido Reni, and Simone Cantarini;
• the archaeological section;
• the ceramics and numismatics section;
• and the Morganti Room, which hosts important temporary exhibitions.

At the northeastern end of the city walls, you can also admire the Rocca Malatestiana.

San Francesco: An Open-Air Church in Fano

One thing we're sure will take your breath away is the former church of San Francesco – it's a real open-air monument, literally without a roof!

It's a truly unique building in Fano's cultural heritage, with a grass floor and completely open to the sky. Visiting it is an unforgettable, and even very romantic, experience!

Tower Houses

Ever heard of tower houses? You can see them right here in Fano!

These are fortified buildings that popped up during the Late Middle Ages within the city walls, serving as a defense after the barbarian invasions. They were regular homes, but they could transform into defensive structures when needed. The highest part, in fact, acted as a lookout point, offering views both inland and towards the sea.

As you wander around the city, you'll spot quite a few of them. Finding them all is definitely a fun and cool experience, even with kids!

The Gugul, Fano's Port, and Waterfront

The area known as Gugul (named after an old fishing net) is a real hidden gem! It's a bit more tucked away than the Lido and is full of small, colorful fishermen's houses and decorations celebrating maritime traditions.

It's a place that stirs up so many emotions, and even today, it still captures that friendly, community vibe that used to define this part of the city. As you stroll around, you can almost hear the chatter from the long tables in the street where everyone would gather to eat 'rustita,' a typical dish of roasted and breaded fish.

But you absolutely can't visit Fano without checking out the port, which has always been the heart of this seafaring city. From there, you can walk to the trabocchi pier – we highly recommend doing this at sunset, it's a truly amazing sight!

The Lisippo promenade, on the other hand, is just a short walk from the city's main beaches. It's covered in colorful murals that brighten up the pier, making the beautiful sea views even more stunning.

As you can see, Fano definitely deserves its spot among the must-visit cities in Marche, and not just in summer! Did you know, for example, that its carnival is the oldest in Italy?

Marotta: Sea and Mosaics Await You in This Marche Town

Just south of Fano, there's another spot you absolutely shouldn't miss, especially if you love the sea! Still in the Province of Pesaro-Urbino, you'll find a gem nestled in the Marche hills, with its territory stretching all the way to the Adriatic Sea: Marotta.

Marotta is known as one of the must-visit towns in Marche, especially for its coastline and its Blue Flag beach, but it's actually so much more.

Did you know, for example, that Marotta is the town famous for Enrico Ruggeri's song "Mare d'Inverno" (Winter Sea)?

The singer-songwriter has always been super fond of this little Marche village. Thanks to his song, tons of tourists flock to its beaches not just in summer, but even in the colder months! They come to soak in all the nuances, emotions, and details of the landscape that Ruggeri turned into music.

Marotta and the Mosaic Coast

The Mosaic Coast is the special part of Marotta's beach area. For a few years now, you'll find urban art along the promenade made with the trencadis mosaic technique, which comes from Catalonia and uses recycled materials.

This project, starting with the very first mosaic depicting Marotta's two extremes (the sea and the hills), was so loved that it's now been replicated on all the low walls along the promenade, right from the Pier!

It's a truly unique project, bringing together mosaic art and the stunning maritime landscape in one place. Plus, it's created wonderful opportunities for people to connect, not just for Marotta locals, but also for tourists and visitors who can actually get involved in making these artworks!

Garagoi and La Tratta Festivals

Marotta's traditions and delicious food and wine specialties are always inspired by the sea.

In April, don't miss the Garagoi Festival! These are small sea mollusks mainly caught in the Adriatic stretch between Rimini and Ancona. But the home cooks in Marotta prepare them so incredibly well that they've made their town the world capital of garagoi!

The Tratta Festival, on the other hand, is a historical re-enactment of traditional hand-trawl fishing, which is actually forbidden these days.

Must-Visit Towns in Marche: Ostra

Right in the heart of the Ancona province, you'll find Ostra, a lovely village that's even been awarded the Orange Flag!

Here's a fun fact about its name: it used to be called Montalbondo, but that changed to Ostra, which comes from the Roman-era Ostra Antica, meaning "abandoned city."

It's nestled in the hills overlooking the Misa Valley, offering breathtaking views that stretch all the way to the Apennine Mountains.

Picture quiet, timeless alleys winding from the countryside right into the village. All around, you'll see fields of sunflowers, vineyards, and olive groves. It's impossible not to fall in love with it! You can even catch glimpses of this beautiful scenery as you wander through the narrow streets of the town center.

Ostra's historic center, with its charming narrow streets, hides some real historical treasures:

• the medieval city walls;
• Piazza dei Martiri (Martyrs' Square);
• the Town Hall;
• La Vittoria Theater;
• the Church of San Francesco;
• and the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix.

Ostra's Sprevengoli Festival

The Sprevengoli Festival brings visitors from all over Italy to Ostra every single year!

But... what are Sprevengoli?

According to tradition, they are little spirits that disturb people while they sleep, having fun jumping on people's stomachs and making them wake up with a start.

And during the last weekend of October, to ward off these spirits, the village enjoys three days of festivities, with special menus from the wineries, shows, and entertainment.

If you're not afraid of the Sprevengoli 😉 we suggest you spend at least a day in Ostra, wander aimlessly through its alleys, and let yourself be enchanted by its unique views. Trust us, it's really worth it to get to know the heart of the Marche villages up close.

Art cities in the Marche region: Recanati and Leopardi

You probably already know Recanati, the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi, one of the greatest Italian poets.

Nestled in the hills of the Macerata province, very close to Loreto, an Italian symbol of spirituality, Recanati appears as a classic Marche village, rich in stories and a past immortalized in its central alleys.

And by wandering through those narrow streets, we can find and visit the city's most famous places:

– Leopardi's house;
– the Hill of Infinity;
– the Saturday of the Village square;
– the Village Tower;
– Silvia's house.

With every step taken in this city, it feels like reliving the atmosphere recreated by Leopardi's most famous poems. You can almost hear the chatter of children playing in the little square on Saturdays, which Leopardi House overlooks.

This last one is an absolute must-visit, not just for the poet, but also to admire the splendid library it houses with over 20,000 volumes.

Then don't miss the Hill of Infinity, perfect for a walk through time, for moments of calm and quiet that let your gaze get lost in the breathtaking panorama it offers.

And to definitively convince you (if you still need convincing), we'll let someone who knows a lot about words do the talking...

“And what immense thoughts,
What sweet dreams the sight inspired in me
Of that distant sea, those azure mountains,
Which from here I discover, and which one day to cross
I imagined, arcane worlds, arcane
Happiness feigning for my life!
Unaware of my fate, and how many times
This painful and bare life of mine
I would gladly have exchanged for death”

The Marche region stays in the hearts of those who visit it, for its beauty, its calm, its naturalness. Because, after all, as Guido Piovone said: “Italy, with its landscapes, is a distillate of the world; the Marche region is a distillate of Italy...”

Suitcases ready? Get ready to leave for an unforgettable trip among the cities of the Marche region!