10:00

Piazza del Plebiscito

Start from the square, also known as Piazza del Papa, recognizable for the statue of Clement XII and the historic facades. Spend about 30 minutes getting oriented and exploring the alleys that branch off toward the port; free visit.

The center is partly uphill: comfortable shoes.

10:45

Fontana del Calamo

Walk to the thirteen spouts, one of the city’s iconic fountains. Look at the stone masks and take the opportunity to refill your water bottle, if water is available; free visit.

11:15

Mercato delle Erbe

Step into the covered market to see stalls of fresh produce and, if opening hours allow, try a local snack. The visit is free; plan on about 30–45 minutes and check opening times, which may vary on public holidays.

12:15

Church of San Francesco alle Scale

Walk up to the church and admire the Gothic portal and panoramic views over the city. Admission is normally free; allow for a short visit and check for any closures due to religious services.

13:00

Lunch break in the city center

Stop at a trattoria or café between the main avenue and the historic center, choosing fish dishes or specialties from the Marche region. Budget roughly 15–30 € per person for a simple lunch, with drinks included or excluded depending on the place.

15:00

Francesco Podesti Civic Art Gallery

Spend about an hour exploring the art collections and works connected to the artistic history of the Marche region. Admission is ticketed, roughly 5–10 €; check the schedule and opening hours, which may change.

16:45

Loggia dei Mercanti and Teatro delle Muse

End with a stroll between the Loggia dei Mercanti and the façade of the Teatro delle Muse, both in the center. The exteriors can be admired for free; for performances or special visits, prices vary depending on the program.

09:30

Arch of Trajan

Head to the port and admire the marble Roman arch, built in a striking position facing the harbor. Viewing it from the outside is free and takes about 20–30 minutes.

10:15

National Archaeological Museum of Marche

Head up to Palazzo Ferretti to visit the archaeological collections, with finds from the Marche region and the civilizations that inhabited it. Allow 1–2 hours; admission is approximately €5–10, with possible discounts and opening hours to be checked.

12:30

Cathedral of San Ciriaco

Continue on foot up Colle Guasco to the cathedral, notable for its Romanesque façade and views over the gulf. Admission is free, but please respect services and opening hours; from the museum it takes about 15–20 minutes uphill.

14:00

Lunch near the port

Head down toward the port area for a seafood lunch or a quick bite. Budget about €15–30 per person; the route from the cathedral is downhill but may take 20 minutes.

15:30

Mole Vanvitelliana

Visit the former pentagonal lazaretto, connected to the mainland by a bridge and now home to events and cultural spaces. Access to exhibition areas depends on the shows on display; expect anything from free entry to around €10 and check the program.

16:30

State Tactile Museum Omero

Inside the Mole, explore the museum dedicated to tactile enjoyment of art, especially interesting for visitors of all ages. Plan on about an hour; admission is approximately €5–10, with possible discounts and opening times to check.

09:30

Monument to the Fallen

Reach Passetto by city bus or on foot from the center, and admire the circular monument overlooking the Adriatic. The outdoor area is free; allow about 30 minutes.

10:15

Belvedere del Passetto

Walk along the seafront and stop at the viewpoints to admire the coast and, on clear days, the silhouette of Mount Conero. The walk is free and takes about 30–45 minutes.

11:15

Passetto Beach and Passetto Caves

Go down to the beach via the stairways or the available access points and take in the caves carved by fishermen into the cliff face. The descent and climb back up can be strenuous; access to the beach is free, while any beach facilities are paid.

13:30

Lunch on the seafront

Have lunch at a beach club or head back toward the city area, depending on the season and which services are open. A simple meal costs approximately 15–30 € per person; bring water and sun protection.

15:30

Afternoon at Passetto

Set aside the rest of the afternoon for a swim, if the sea and conditions allow, or for a scenic walk above the cliff. A beach umbrella and sun loungers, when available, have variable rates; return buses to the city from about 1,5–3 € per ride.

09:00

Transfer to Ancona–Portonovo

Reach the bay by car, taxi, or seasonal bus: public connections are more frequent in summer and may require advance checking. Allow roughly 3–10 € one way by bus or much more by taxi; parking and availability vary by season.

10:00

Portonovo Bay

Choose a stretch of beach and get to know the pebble shoreline, framed by the greenery of Mount Conero. Access is free, while beach clubs, rentals, and parking have varying prices.

11:00

Church of Santa Maria di Portonovo

Visit the Romanesque church, close to the shore, pausing to take in its essential forms and natural setting. Entry is usually free; opening hours may be limited, so plan for an exterior visit as an alternative.

12:00

Great Lake of Portonovo

Take a peaceful walk around the wetland, a habitat for birds and coastal vegetation. Stay on the permitted paths and allow about 30–45 minutes; free visit.

13:00

Lunch and Fortino Napoleonico

Have lunch at one of the bay’s restaurants, with an estimated budget of 20–40 € per person, then admire the Fortino Napoleonico from the outside. The building is now connected to accommodation facilities, and the interior spaces are not normally open to visitors without permission.

09:00

Transfer to Ancona–Sirolo

Get to Sirolo by car, taxi, or bus, which is often more frequent in the bathing season; check stops and return times. The estimated bus fare is 3–8 € one way, while parking and taxis may cost more.

10:15

Piazza Vittorio Veneto

Stroll through the historic center of Sirolo, among alleyways, cafés, and sea views. A self-guided visit takes about 45 minutes and has no admission fee.

11:15

Parco della Repubblica

Take a break in the greenery and head to the park’s scenic viewpoints, ideal for admiring the coast from above. Access is free; bring water, especially on hot days.

12:15

Descent to Urbani Beach

Walk down the path and stairs leading to the shore, factoring in the time and effort needed for the uphill return. If you prefer, check the seasonal shuttle service; any fare and frequency vary.

13:00

Urbani Beach and lunch

Spend the afternoon on the beach, known for its sheltered bay and pebbles, with the option to stop at open facilities. On the free beach, access is free; lunch and rentals can cost roughly €15–40 per person.

09:00

Transfer to Numana

From Ancona, reach Numana by bus, car, or taxi; in high season, take traffic and full parking lots into account. The bus ride can cost roughly €3–8 one way, with schedules to check.

10:00

Numana Port

Stroll along the port and observe the boats and the relationship between the town and the coast. The visit is free and takes about 30–45 minutes; ask locally about boat excursions, with variable fares.

11:00

Numana State Antiquarium

Set aside about an hour for the artifacts and the history of the area’s ancient peoples, with particular attention to the Picene necropolises. Admission is roughly €3–8; opening hours and availability may vary.

12:30

Historic center of Numana

Head up toward the old town to explore the streets and viewpoints, taking a break in the shaded spots. Free walk; keep in mind that some stretches are steep and exposed to the sun.

14:00

Lunch and afternoon on the coast

Have lunch in the town center or near the harbor, with an indicative budget of 15–35 € per person, then choose a beach that suits the sea conditions and available services. Access to free beaches is free of charge; beach clubs and rentals have seasonal prices.

09:00

Ancona–Loreto transfer

Take a regional train from Ancona to Loreto; from the station, which is at a lower level than the center, continue by local bus or taxi. The train costs roughly 3–8 € one way; check connections and schedules before departure.

10:30

Piazza della Madonna

Enter the historic center and head to the square, the heart of the monumental complex. Stop to observe the layout of the square and the facades; exterior visit is free.

11:00

Sanctuary of the Holy House

Visit the basilica and the Holy House, respecting the rules of the place of worship and the times of the celebrations. Admission is usually free; any guided tours or special areas may have separate fees.

13:00

Lunch in the center of Loreto

Stop at a trattoria or a bar around the sanctuary. Allow roughly 15–30 € per person for a simple lunch and check the opening hours of the venues on public holidays.

14:30

Apostolic Palace and Pontifical Museum of the Holy House

Finish with the Apostolic Palace complex and the collections of the Pontifical Museum, depending on opening hours. For the museum, allow roughly 5–12 €; leave time to return to the station and catch the train back to Ancona.