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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Oliva Ascolana del Piceno DOP
The iconic stuffed and fried green olives of Ascoli Piceno, filled with mixed meats, breaded and fried; sold breaded-and-frozen for travel from historic delicatessens
Price: €12-20 per kg artisan
Where: Gastronomia Migliori (Piazza Arringo, Ascoli Piceno), Ascoli delicatessens
Anisetta Meletti
Sweet green-anise liqueur from Ascoli Piceno, made since 1870, in sweet and dry versions; taste it at the historic Caffe Meletti
Price: €15-18 per 70cl bottle
Where: Caffe Meletti and enoteche in Ascoli Piceno, regional wine shops
Offida bobbin lace (merletto a tombolo)
Centuries-old hand-made bobbin lace from Offida, with geometric and figurative designs; authentic pieces carry the registered Offida lace brand
Price: €10 small items to €100+ large pieces
Where: Cooperativa Merlettaie and the Museo del Merletto a Tombolo, Offida
Fabriano paper (Carta Fabriano)
Watermarked handmade paper from Fabriano, where the watermark was invented in the 13th century; notebooks, albums and watermarked sheets
Price: €5-30 for stationery and sheets
Where: Museo della Carta e della Filigrana shop, Fabriano stationers
Castelfidardo accordion
Hand-built accordions from Castelfidardo, world capital of accordion making since 1863; student diatonic models to professional instruments
Price: From a few hundred euros to €7,000+ professional
Where: Castelfidardo Musica and accordion makers in Castelfidardo
Marche leather goods and shoes
Handcrafted leather bags, wallets and footwear from the Marche shoe district, home to Tod's and Hogan, sold at factory outlets and workshops
Price: €30-300+
Where: Tolentino leather outlets, Tod's outlet at Casette d'Ete, Civitanova area
Verdicchio wine
The Marche's flagship white, from the DOC zones of Castelli di Jesi and Matelica; crisp, mineral and excellent value
Price: €8-15 per bottle in-region
Where: Castelli di Jesi wineries, regional enoteche, Verdicchio producers
Ciauscolo IGP
Soft, spreadable cured salami from central and southern Marche, associated with the Sibillini towns of Visso and Montefortino
Price: €15-25 per kg artisan
Where: Salumerie across central and southern Marche, Sibillini producers
Acqualagna truffles
Fresh and preserved truffles from Acqualagna, which supplies much of Italy's truffle harvest; sauces, oils and packaged truffles travel well
Price: €10-100+ depending on type and season
Where: Acqualagna market stalls and shops, the November truffle fair
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercatino Antiquario di Ascoli Piceno
A monthly antiques and crafts market spreading across Ascoli's magnificent travertine squares, with 150-plus exhibitors and free entry
Where: Piazza Arringo, Piazza del Popolo and the historic centre, Ascoli Piceno
Hours: 3rd weekend of month (paused Jul-Aug); Sat 9AM-7PM Piazza del Popolo, others 3PM-7PM, Sun 9AM-7PM
Mercato Settimanale di Macerata
Macerata's twice-weekly street market on the central squares of the historic university town, selling produce, clothing and household goods at local prices
Where: Piazza della Libertà and surrounding streets, Macerata
Hours: Wed and Sat approx. 7:30AM-2PM
Mercato Settimanale di Jesi
The twice-weekly market of Jesi, heart of the Verdicchio wine country, selling food, local products and clothing in the historic town where Frederick II was born
Where: Piazza dei Partigiani and centre, Jesi
Hours: Wed and Sat approx. 8AM-1PM
Mercato Settimanale di Fano
The twice-weekly market of Fano, the seaside town famous for Italy's oldest carnival, selling fresh food, produce and local gastronomy in the historic centre
Where: Piazza XX Settembre and centre, Fano
Hours: Wed and Sat approx. 8AM-1PM
Mercato Antiquario di Pesaro
Pesaro's monthly antiques market, moving between the central squares and the Rocca Costanza gardens through the year, with antiques, vintage and collectables
Where: Piazza del Popolo / Via Rossini (Jan-Jun); Rocca Costanza area (Sep-Dec), Pesaro
Hours: 3rd Sunday of month (not Jul-Aug), 8AM-7PM
Mercato di Ancona (Corso Mazzini)
Ancona's central street market along Corso Mazzini, selling fresh produce, fish and everyday goods at local prices in the port city
Where: Corso Mazzini and centre, Ancona
Hours: Mornings approx. 7:30AM-1PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Corso Garibaldi, Ancona
Ancona's principal shopping spine, lined with boutiques, Italian and international brands and cafes, running through the centre of the port capital
Best for: Fashion, shoes, accessories, Italian brands
Corso Mazzini, Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli's main shopping street through the travertine old town, with boutiques and specialty shops, converging on Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Arringo
Best for: Fashion, local food, crafts, gifts
Via Rossini and Piazza del Popolo, Pesaro
Pesaro's historic shopping streets around Via Rossini and the central square, with fashion, food and specialty shops near the Rossini sites
Best for: Fashion, food souvenirs, ceramics
Marche leather and shoe outlets
The Marche shoe and leather district around Civitanova, Tolentino and Sant'Elpidio, home to Tod's and Hogan, with factory outlets offering bargains
Best for: Leather goods, designer footwear, handbags
Piazza della Libertà, Macerata
Macerata's central square and surrounding streets, with shops, cafes and the twice-weekly market in the cultured university town
Best for: Local food, fashion, everyday goods
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Grotte Center (Camerano)
A large shopping mall near Ancona on the Conero Riviera with fashion chains, a hypermarket, restaurants and services
Hours: 9AM-9PM daily
Tod's Factory Outlet (Casette d'Ete)
The factory outlet of the Marche-born luxury group Tod's near Sant'Elpidio a Mare, offering discounted leather shoes, bags and accessories
Hours: Mon-Sat (confirm seasonal hours)
Auchan / Conad shopping centres (Marche coast)
Hypermarket-anchored shopping centres serving the coastal towns of the Marche, with mainstream retail, groceries and food courts
Hours: 9AM-9PM daily (varies)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not customary in regular shops or restaurants; fixed prices are expected
At the monthly antiques markets in Ascoli Piceno and Pesaro, politely negotiating a small discount is acceptable and expected
Ask for a discount when buying multiple food products at market stalls; often possible
Some leather and shoe outlets in the Marche district may offer small discounts for cash or multiple purchases
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export Italian antiques (pre-1850) without a government cultural export permit; always verify authenticity
Tax Refund: VAT refund (15-20%) available for non-EU residents on purchases over €155 at Tax Free/Global Blue participating stores; get the form stamped at the airport
Duty Free: EU duty-free allowances apply when exiting the EU; non-EU typical allowances: 1L spirits, 200 cigarettes, €430 goods
Shipping: Food shops and wineries in the Marche offer international shipping with appropriate vacuum packaging for cured meats, cheese and wine; check destination import rules