Marche (Le Marche) is central Italy's 'one region in many' on the Adriatic coast, blending sandy beaches and the dramatic Conero Riviera with Renaissance art cities, medieval hilltop villages, and the snow-capped Sibillini Mountains. From Urbino's Ducal Palace to the underground wonder of the Frasassi Caves, it offers Italy's variety with a fraction of the crowds.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Marche.
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- Wild, dramatic, boat-access only cove
- no facilities (bring everything)
- boat shuttle landing point
- canoe and SUP rental at departure beaches
Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle (Sirolo)
The signature beach of the Conero Riviera, a white-pebble cove framed by two sea stacks beneath the towering Monte Conero cliff. Reachable only by boat from Numana, Marcelli, or Sirolo, which keeps the bay pristine, quiet, and free of beach-club development.
Editor’s tip. Book the boat shuttle from Numana or Sirolo the day before in July and August, as places sell out and access is capped.
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- Pebble bay backed by wild cliffs and lakes
- beach clubs (stabilimenti)
- seafood restaurants
- sunbed rental
- free beach sections
- kayak and SUP hire
- car parking (paid in summer)
Spiaggia di Portonovo (Conero Riviera)
A long white-pebble beach in a sheltered bay beneath the wooded cliffs of Monte Conero, backed by two coastal lagoons and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria di Portonovo. A mix of free shore and stabilimenti, with famously clear water and a celebrated seafood and mussel tradition.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends or use the seasonal Ancona shuttle bus, as the bay's paid car parks fill by mid-morning.
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- Cliff-backed beauty, half wild and half equipped
- beach clubs at San Michele
- free wild section at Sassi Neri
- sunbed rental
- boat departures to Due Sorelle
- summer shuttle service
Spiaggia di San Michele e Sassi Neri (Sirolo)
A long stretch of fine gravel and white pebbles below Sirolo, framed by Mediterranean scrub and the white Conero cliff. The San Michele section has beach clubs, while the adjoining Sassi Neri is free and wild, named for the dark boulders offshore. Reached by a steep wooded path or a summer shuttle.
Editor’s tip. Allow energy for the steep wooded climb back up to Sirolo, or use the seasonal municipal shuttle in peak summer.
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- Family-friendly velvet sand and lively promenade
- stabilimenti (beach clubs)
- free public beach sections
- lifeguards
- children's play areas
- restaurants and bars
- showers
Spiaggia di Velluto (Senigallia)
The 'Velvet Beach', around 13 km of exceptionally fine, soft golden sand that has held the Blue Flag continuously since 1997. Shallow, gently shelving water makes it one of the Adriatic's premier family beaches, backed by the historic Rotonda a Mare and a lively seafront.
Editor’s tip. Senigallia is one of the most family-friendly Adriatic beaches thanks to its shallow, gently shelving water; the central stretch near the Rotonda is busiest.
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- Wild, free, unspoiled and clothing-relaxed
- no permanent facilities
- seasonal beach kiosk
- free beach (no fee)
Spiaggia di Mezzavalle (Ancona)
A long, wild stretch of sand and gravel below the Monte Conero cliffs between Ancona and Portonovo, reached only on foot by a steep path. Entirely free and undeveloped, it is a favourite of those seeking unspoiled nature, with crystal-clear water and a relaxed, alternative atmosphere.
Editor’s tip. Wear proper footwear for the steep, rough descent path and save energy for the climb back up.
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- Roman town with two contrasting beaches
- stabilimenti
- free beach areas
- restaurants and bars
- lifeguards
- showers
- bike path
Spiaggia della Sassonia e Lido (Fano)
Fano offers two beaches divided by the harbour: the Sassonia, a long pebble shore just south of the port, and the sandy Lido north of the Arzilla river mouth, the lively heart of the town's summer. A historic Roman coastal town with good facilities and easy rail access.
Editor’s tip. Choose the sandy Lido north of the port for families and the pebbly Sassonia south of it for clearer water and a quieter scene.
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- Relaxed Blue Flag bay beneath San Bartolo park
- stabilimenti
- free beach sections
- restaurants and bars
- lifeguards
- showers
- parking
Baia Flaminia (Pesaro)
A relaxed sandy beach at the northern end of Pesaro, tucked beneath the green Monte San Bartolo headland. Quieter than the central seafront, with Blue Flag water, family facilities, and easy access to the cycling and walking trails of the San Bartolo regional park.
Editor’s tip. Baia Flaminia is calmer than Pesaro's central seafront, making it a good choice for families and those wanting a quieter beach day.
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- Palm-lined promenade and broad golden sand
- stabilimenti
- palm-lined promenade
- restaurants and bars
- lifeguards
- children's areas
- showers
Riviera delle Palme (San Benedetto del Tronto)
The 'Palm Riviera' of San Benedetto del Tronto, a broad, well-groomed sandy beach backed by a famous promenade planted with over 7,000 palms and oleanders. The flagship resort of the southern Marche, with a near-tropical feel, full facilities, and a long fishing and seafood tradition.
Editor’s tip. The wide palm-lined promenade is one of the best seafront walks in the Marche, especially at sunset.
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- Family resort and gateway to the Conero coves
- stabilimenti
- free beach sections
- restaurants and bars
- boat departures to Due Sorelle
- lifeguards
- parking
Spiaggia di Numana e Marcelli
The main resort beaches at the southern end of the Conero Riviera, ranging from the pebbly Numana Alta coves below the old town to the long sandy stretch of Marcelli to the south. The port of Numana is the principal departure point for boats to the wild Due Sorelle cove.
Editor’s tip. Use Numana's port as the base for a boat trip to the boat-access Due Sorelle cove, the highlight of the Conero.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Mezzavalle and the boat-access Due Sorelle cove offer wild, undeveloped shores away from the crowds, reached only on foot or by sea
Family
Family-friendly
Senigallia's velvet sand, Marcelli at Numana, and San Benedetto del Tronto have calm shallow water, lifeguards, and children's facilities
Sport
Active & sporty
Fano and the Conero coves offer windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, and coasteering, with clear water for snorkeling beneath the cliffs
Scenic
Scenic
The Conero Riviera beaches at Portonovo, San Michele, and Due Sorelle sit beneath dramatic white cliffs with the clearest water on the Adriatic
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Marche memorable.
Boat trips to Due Sorelle
Shuttle boats run from Numana, Marcelli, and Sirolo to the boat-access Due Sorelle cove, the emblem of the Conero coast
Numana, San Michele (Sirolo), Marcelli
Snorkeling beneath the Conero cliffs
Clear, deep water over rocky seabeds makes the Conero beaches the best on the Adriatic for snorkeling and underwater exploration
Portonovo, Sassi Neri, Mezzavalle
Windsurfing and kitesurfing
Reliable wind off the northern Marche coast supports windsurf and kitesurf schools and rental at Fano and Senigallia
Fano, Senigallia
Sea kayaking and SUP
Kayaks and paddleboards explore the cliffs, caves, and hidden coves of the Conero, with hire from the main beaches
Portonovo, Numana, Sirolo
Coastal cycling
Flat seafront cycle paths run along the resort beaches, and Pesaro is famous as Italy's bicycle city
Senigallia, Pesaro, San Benedetto del Tronto
Promenade strolling
Landscaped palm-lined seafronts, especially at San Benedetto del Tronto's Riviera delle Palme, make for memorable evening walks
San Benedetto del Tronto, Grottammare
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Official beach season May-September; swimming comfortable June-September with sea temperatures of 22-26 degrees C in high summer
Getting there
Several Conero beaches (Due Sorelle, Mezzavalle, San Michele) are reached only by boat or steep footpath; resort beaches at Senigallia, Fano, Pesaro, and San Benedetto have rail stations and parking
On-beach facilities
Resort beaches are lido-style with private clubs (stabilimenti) offering sunbeds, parasols, and restaurants, plus free public stretches (spiaggia libera); the Conero coves at Mezzavalle and Due Sorelle are wild and undeveloped
Costs to budget
Sunbed: roughly 8-15 euros (9-16 USD)/day; umbrella: 5-10 euros (5-11 USD)/day; full beach club day (2 sunbeds + umbrella): 20-40 euros (22-43 USD); Due Sorelle boat shuttle: about 30 euros (32 USD) adult return
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Marche’s coast.
How do I get to Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle?
The beach is reachable only by sea. Public shuttle boats run from the port of Numana, from Marcelli, and from San Michele beach in Sirolo, typically from around 8:30 am with returns by mid-afternoon. Private boats, canoes, and SUPs can also be hired from the departure beaches.
From the Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle (Sirolo) editorial.
How much does the boat to Due Sorelle cost?
Public shuttle tickets are roughly 30 euros (about 32 USD) for adults and around 10 euros (about 11 USD) for children aged three to ten, with under-threes free. Prices vary slightly by operator and port.
From the Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle (Sirolo) editorial.
Is Portonovo beach sand or pebbles?
Portonovo is a white-pebble beach, not sand. Water shoes are recommended for comfort on the shore and for the entry into the water, which shelves quickly into clear, deep sea.
From the Spiaggia di Portonovo (Conero Riviera) editorial.
How do I get to Portonovo and where do I park?
Portonovo is reached by a winding road down from the Conero plateau, about 12 km from Ancona. Paid car parks serve the bay but fill quickly in summer; a seasonal shuttle bus also runs from Ancona.
From the Spiaggia di Portonovo (Conero Riviera) editorial.
How do I get down to San Michele and Sassi Neri beach?
A steep, shaded footpath descends through the woods from the Parco della Repubblica in Sirolo, taking about 15-20 minutes down. In peak summer the municipality also runs a seasonal shuttle service to ease the climb back up.
From the Spiaggia di San Michele e Sassi Neri (Sirolo) editorial.
What is the difference between San Michele and Sassi Neri?
San Michele has stabilimenti renting sunbeds and parasols alongside free stretches, while the adjoining Sassi Neri is a free, wild beach named for the dark boulders in its shallows, with no facilities.
From the Spiaggia di San Michele e Sassi Neri (Sirolo) editorial.
Why is it called the Velvet Beach?
The name Spiaggia di Velluto refers to the sand, which is exceptionally fine and soft underfoot, like velvet. The same fine sand and gently shelving seabed make the water shallow and calm for a long way out.
From the Spiaggia di Velluto (Senigallia) editorial.
Is Senigallia good for families with young children?
Yes. The shallow, gently shelving Blue Flag water, soft sand, lifeguards, and children's play areas at the stabilimenti make it one of the best family beaches on the Adriatic.
From the Spiaggia di Velluto (Senigallia) editorial.