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Italy
MARCHES VILLAGES: HILLTOPS, CERAMICS AND MEDIEVAL CHARM
Fortresses crowning hills, ceramic workshops carrying on their craft, traditions alive. Le Marche, hilltop villages and secrets.
≈ 25
Days
758
Km
23
Stops
Cross Gradara and its fortress facing the Adriatic, then discover Offida between lace and workshops. Gain height at Cingoli, follow Montefiore dell'Aso's lanes and reach Mercatello sul Metauro along the valley. The Marche offers a discreet perched Italy, where each village keeps its voice and gestures.
- Gradara: fortress adriatic majesty
- Offida: lacemaking ceramic village
- Cingoli: mountain sentinel vast
- Montefiore: clifftop stone fortress
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
9 photos
Discover
1
Borgo antico - medieval village perched on a cliff overlooking the sea with orange groves
2
Piazza Peretti - belvedere square with panoramic loggia over the Adriatic
3
Teatro dell'Arancio - historic theater in the heart of the upper town
4
Chiesa di San Martino - one of the oldest churches in the province of Ascoli Piceno
Activities
→
Strolling through the narrow streets between stone houses and view of the coast
→
Tasting brodetto, traditional fish soup
Next stop
Distance:
20 km
Travel time:
24min
2
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Piazza del Popolo - central square with crenellated Palazzo Comunale and porticoes
2
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Rocca - Romano-Gothic masterpiece on rocky spur
3
Mura castellane - 15th century walls surrounding the historic center
4
Museo del Merletto a Tombolo - museum dedicated to traditional lace-making art
Activities
→
Tasting DOC and DOCG wines of Offida in local cellars
→
Discovery of the ancestral art of bobbin lace
3
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Belvedere De Carolis - panoramic viewpoint from the Valdaso hills to the sea
2
Collegiata di Santa Lucia - collegiate church dominating the historic center
3
Polo Museale di San Francesco - museum in the former convent with polyptych by Carlo Crivelli
Activities
→
Discovery of the artistic treasures of the Marche Renaissance
Next stop
Distance:
16 km
Travel time:
19min
4
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Castello ellittico - small fortified village of perfect oval shape dominating the Val d'Aso
2
Torre eptagonale - seven-sided tower from the 12th century, rare example of defensive architecture
3
Torre dell'Orologio - clock tower at the entrance to the village
4
Vicolo circolare - unique circular alley running along the interior walls
Activities
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Panorama over the hills cultivated with orchards and vegetable gardens of the valley
Next stop
Distance:
5 km
Travel time:
6min
5
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Centro storico - fortified village on hill with view over the valley to the sea
2
Mura castellane - well-preserved medieval walls
3
Basilica of Santa Maria a Piè di Chienti - masterpiece of Marchigian Romanesque art in the plain
Activities
→
Stroll through alleys and small squares of the medieval castle
Next stop
Distance:
8 km
Travel time:
9min
6
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Castellane walls - medieval enclosure with four preserved access gates
2
Palazzetto del Podestà - podestà palace overlooking the main square with Civic Tower
3
Pinacoteca Civica - art gallery in the historic halls of the borough
4
Museo d'Arti e Mestieri Antichi - museum of traditional arts and crafts
Activities
→
Discovery of the violet artichoke, local specialty celebrated in spring
Next stop
Distance:
53 km
Travel time:
1h03
7
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Piazza Unità d'Italia - central square bordered by the Palazzo dei Priori and the Collegiata
2
Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta - main church with sacred art works
3
Tre porte medievali - three access gates to the borough walls
Activities
→
Tasting of sughitti, traditional dessert made with must, corn flour and walnuts
Next stop
Distance:
22 km
Travel time:
26min
8
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Collegiata - church in Marchigian flamboyant Gothic style, architectural jewel of the town
2
Ospedale dei Pellegrini - ancient medieval hospital with preserved frescoes
3
Mura medievali - ramparts offering panoramic view of the Sibillini Mountains
Activities
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Contemplation of the panorama over the Sibillini chain from the Balcony of the Sibillini
Next stop
Distance:
39 km
Travel time:
47min
9
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Centro storico a chiocciola - medieval spiral town with brick alleyways
2
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Piazza Alta - historic church in the heart of the village
3
Terme di San Giacomo - renowned thermal spa at the gates of the town
Activities
→
Hiking in the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini
→
Relaxation at the thermal baths in a mountain setting
Next stop
Distance:
40 km
Travel time:
48min
10
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Historic center - harmonious ensemble of Renaissance palaces, medieval towers and carved stone portals
2
Collegiata di Santa Maria - main church on the stone square
3
Sede del Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini - national park information center
Activities
→
Tasting of ciauscolo and Sibillini cheeses
→
Discovery of a village in renaissance after the 2016 earthquake
Next stop
Distance:
72 km
Travel time:
1h26
11
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Città dei sette campanili - elongated medieval village with numerous bell towers visible from afar
2
Historic center - picturesque alleys, stone fountains and small churches
3
Sorgenti del fiume Esino - river sources at the gates of the village
Activities
→
Starting point for hikes in the surrounding mountains
Next stop
Distance:
7 km
Travel time:
8min
12
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Piazza Enrico Mattei - central square with octagonal fountain and Palazzo del Governatore
2
Teatro Piermarini - small historic theater in the heart of the village
3
Museo Piersanti - art collection in a noble palace
Activities
→
Tasting of Verdicchio di Matelica DOCG in wine cellars
→
Discovery of Ciauscolo, spreadable salami typical of the region
Next stop
Distance:
39 km
Travel time:
47min
13
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Piazza della Repubblica - scenic square with Palazzo Comunale and panoramic balustrade
2
Torre Onglavina - medieval tower overlooking the maze of narrow streets
3
Accademia Georgica - one of Italy's oldest agricultural academies
Activities
→
Discovery of the Disfida del Bracciale, summer reenactment of an ancient ball game
Next stop
Distance:
60 km
Travel time:
1h12
14
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
Terrazza panoramica - viewpoint at 600m altitude nicknamed the Balcony of the Marches with views of the Adriatic and the Apennines
2
Palazzo Comunale - town hall with the Hall of Coats of Arms
3
Chiesa di San Domenico - church housing the Madonna del Rosario by Lorenzo Lotto
Activities
→
Strolling through the maze of narrow streets and elegant squares of the historic center
Next stop
Distance:
33 km
Travel time:
40min
15
Day
9 photos
Discover
1
Rocca medievale - fortress on a tuff hill overlooking the Riviera del Conero
2
Museo delle Armi Antiche - collection of ancient weapons in the fortress
Activities
→
Tasting crescia, local focaccia, and must cookies
Next stop
Distance:
32 km
Travel time:
39min
16
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Cinta muraria quattrocentesca - 912-meter 15th-century wall perfectly preserved with walkway
2
La Piaggia - monumental staircase of 100 steps lined with red brick houses
3
Pozzo della Polenta - historic well at the center of the staircase, centerpiece of a summer festival
4
Santuario di Santa Maria Goretti - sanctuary dedicated to the saint native to the town
Activities
→
Walk along the ramparts with views of the surrounding vineyards
Next stop
Distance:
45 km
Travel time:
54min
17
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
Double fortified enclosure - medieval ramparts protecting the historic center
2
Bastione di Sant'Anna - bastion transformed into an Italian garden
3
Wall walk - panoramic view of the coast from Marotta to the Conero promontory
Activities
→
Visit to the convent of San Sebastiano witnessing the Franciscan soul of the territory
Next stop
Distance:
17 km
Travel time:
21min
18
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Rocca Roveresca - Renaissance fortress by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, never conquered, perfectly preserved
2
Historical museum - reconstruction with wax statues, weapons and war machines
3
Teatro Apollo - small elegant theater built within the castle walls
Activities
→
Panorama over the Marchigian hills from the fortress ramparts
Next stop
Distance:
63 km
Travel time:
1h16
19
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Rocca Malatestiana - perfectly preserved medieval castle, setting of the story of Paolo and Francesca
2
Wall walk - stroll on the ramparts with panoramic view to the Adriatic Sea
3
Fortified borgo - maze of cobbled alleys and craft shops within the walls
Activities
→
Discovery of places immortalized by Dante in the Divine Comedy
Next stop
Distance:
28 km
Travel time:
34min
20
Day
7 photos
Discover
1
Medieval borgo - tiny stone village frozen in the 15th century with narrow access gate
2
Hilly landscape - preserved countryside at the gates of Urbino
Activities
→
Immersion in the silent atmosphere of a timeless borgo
Next stop
Distance:
50 km
Travel time:
1h
21
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Il Castello - upper part of Lombard origin with medieval alleys
2
Il Mercatale - lower borgo developed in the 16th century
3
Museo Archeologico e Paleontologico - collections tracing the history of Montefeltro
Activities
→
Relaxation at the thermal baths near the historic borgo
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
22
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
Borgo in pietra - village with streets paved with stones from the Mutino river in the heart of Sasso Simone Park
2
Montefiorentino Complex - monastery founded by Saint Francis
3
Mulino di Ponte Vecchio - medieval mill housing the Bread Museum
Activities
→
Hiking in Parco Naturale del Sasso Simone e Simoncello
Next stop
Distance:
9 km
Travel time:
11min
23
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Medieval historic center - preserved borough with central square and picturesque alleys between two waterways
2
Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Paolo - collegiate church at the heart of the village
3
Palazzi nobiliari - noble residences lining the medieval alleys
Activities
→
Black truffle tasting, local gastronomic specialty
Next stop
Distance:
75 km
Travel time:
1h30
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, Easter celebrations, ideal touring conditions.
Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, vibrant atmosphere, beach season, festival time.
Fall (September-October): Excellent weather, harvest season, wine tourism, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, beautiful colors, culinary focus.
Winter (November-March): Mild southern weather, Christmas markets, lowest prices, minimal crowds, cultural focus, cozy atmosphere, indoor attractions.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in Italy?
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