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.
Marche is a very safe region with low violent crime rates. The main concerns for tourists are petty theft in crowded summer beach areas, occasional scams near tourist sites, and traffic on winding rural roads. The region is generally safer than average for European tourist destinations.
Current safety advisory
Low
No specific travel advisories for Marche. Follow standard Italian/EU travel guidance. The inland Sibillini area was affected by the 2016 central Italy earthquakes; reconstruction continues in some villages, but main tourist towns and coastal areas are fully operational.
Last updated: 2026-06
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 1
Exercise normal precautions in Italy including Marche
Green
No specific travel warnings for Marche
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Marche is one of Italy's safest regions; standard tourist precautions apply throughout
Keep valuables secure in busy summer spots like Senigallia beach, Gabicce Mare, and Ancona's port area
Use official taxis from ranks or book via the itTaxi app; avoid unlicensed drivers, especially at Ancona Falconara Airport
Validate train and bus tickets before boarding to avoid fines from inspectors (€50+ penalty)
Beware of overpriced tickets and overcharging around tourist sites; buy tickets only at official offices or authorized websites such as gndm.it and frasassi.com
Do not leave valuables visible in rental cars, especially at Conero and Frasassi car parks; use hotel safes for passports
Ancona, Urbino, and Ascoli Piceno have very low crime rates; coastal resorts are livelier and busier in summer
Drive carefully on winding inland and Sibillini mountain roads; watch for cyclists and slow farm vehicles
Traffic in town centers can be tight; always use pedestrian crossings and watch for scooters
Carry a photocopy of your passport; Italian law requires ID at all times; police may ask
Purchase travel insurance covering medical evacuation before departure; EU citizens bring EHIC/GHIC card
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Marche—no need to buy bottled water
Emergency number for all services: 112 (works from any phone, even without SIM)
Download the It-Alert government emergency app for regional alerts; share your itinerary with someone at home
The Sibillini area lies in a seismic zone; if an earthquake occurs, follow drop-cover-hold-on guidance and check official alerts
Strong currents and sudden weather can affect the Conero coast—swim near supervised beaches and heed flag warnings
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Fake or overpriced attraction tickets
Unofficial vendors or resellers sell overpriced tickets near popular sites including the Frasassi Caves and Urbino's Palazzo Ducale
How to avoid: Buy tickets only at official ticket offices or authorized websites (frasassi.com, gndm.it, coopculture.it)
Taxi overcharging
Unlicensed taxis and some drivers quote inflated fares, especially at Ancona Falconara Airport (AOI)
How to avoid: Use official taxi ranks with metered fares; download the itTaxi app; agree fare before journey if no meter
Friendship bracelet scam
Strangers approach in busy tourist areas, tie a bracelet on your wrist, then aggressively demand payment
How to avoid: Politely but firmly decline any unsolicited items; keep hands in pockets if approached
Restaurant menu bait and switch
Some tourist restaurants near beaches and main squares show attractive prices outside but charge much more
How to avoid: Check the menu with prices before sitting; ask for an itemized bill and check it before paying
Distraction theft
Working in pairs, one person distracts you while another picks your pocket
How to avoid: Keep your bag in front, use inside pockets for valuables; be aware in crowds and on buses
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No specific vaccinations required; ensure routine vaccines are up-to-date; standard EU travel health guidelines apply
- Water
- Tap water is safe throughout Marche; freely available at public fountains
- Food
- Very high food safety standards; any licensed restaurant, market, or street food vendor is generally safe
- Facilities
- Good public hospitals in all provincial capitals; Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona (Torrette) is the region's main referral hospital; Pronto Soccorso (A&E) in all major towns
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Marche is very safe for solo travelers. Ancona, Urbino, and Ascoli Piceno are walkable and welcoming; Urbino's university town atmosphere is sociable; joining a food or wine tour is a good way to meet other travelers. Solo female travelers report feeling very comfortable throughout the region.
Female travellers
Safe for solo female travelers with standard precautions. Stick to well-lit areas at night, particularly in coastal nightlife spots in summer; Urbino's student culture makes it inclusive; Ascoli Piceno and the hill towns are especially relaxed and safe.
Families
Excellent family destination. Towns have family-friendly infrastructure; Conero and Senigallia beaches have lifeguards in summer; children are warmly welcomed at restaurants throughout the region.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Civil unions legally recognized in Italy since 2016; generally tolerant and welcoming in towns and on the coast. Coastal resorts and Ancona are the most relaxed; smaller rural and mountain villages may be more conservative.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 113 (Polizia di Stato) or 112
- Medical
- 118 (ambulance) or 112
- Fire
- 115
- General Emergency
- 112 (works from all phones including no SIM)
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Rome: +39 06 46741
- Embassy Uk
- UK Embassy Rome: +39 06 4220 0001
- Tourist Police
- Questura di Ancona: Via Gervasoni 19, Ancona; Questura di Ascoli Piceno: Viale della Repubblica 8