Ancona travel guide: An Italian pitstop worth visiting
Situated on the eastern coast of Central Italy is the small port town of Ancona, whose name is ancient Greek for elbow given its interesting shape and location on the Adriatic sea. For many tourists who arrive at its famous port, this ancient city is often just a travel pitstop on their way to explore other parts of Europe. But take it from an American expat who lived in this capital city of Italy’s Le Marche region, there is so much more to explore below the surface and many reasons to stay and visit.
Why visit Ancona: Top attractions
Chances are if you’ve heard or traveled through Ancona, you arrived by train, by ferry or even docked with a cruise ship for a few hours. You may have even arrived at Aeroporto delle Marche, which lies about 30 minutes from Ancona’s center and is the largest airport in the region. So you’re in a new town, unsure of your surroundings and are wondering what interesting things there are to see, eat and explore.Where to shop in Ancona
Our tour of Ancona starts in the city center, a short five-minute walk from the port, a 10-minute taxi or bus ride from the train station, Stazione di Ancona. The main shopping corridor in Ancona is Corso Garibaldi, the old town’s hub for shopping and people watching. Strolling along this pedestrian-friendly promenade, you’ll find familiar shops like Zara, Max Mara, as well as high-end designers like Gucci, and sprinkled in are some unique Italian boutiques.Where to eat in Ancona

Fresh gnocchi at Rosa food
Best spots to grab lunch or dinner in the center include:
- La Degosteria
- Caffe Giuliani
- Rosa Food
- Mazzini 62 Rosticceria

Gelato from Rosa Food
Dining tips in Ancona
Something to note if you decide to stop at the other local eateries in Ancona, Italians tend to adhere to meal times so don’t be surprised if some restaurants are closed before noon and after 2:30 p.m., and don’t reopen again for dinner until 7 p.m. Don’t despair, there’s plenty of cafes where you can grab a panino or enjoy a snack. Oh, and when possible, always make a reservation.Must see places in Ancona

Chiesa San Francesco
From above: Duomo of San Ciriaco, Parco del Cardeto
Between the northern end of Corso Garibaldi and the port is Piazza della Repubblica anchored by the Teatro delle Muse, the city’s performing arts center. Go up the inclined road to the right of the theatre, pass the popular nightlife spot Piazza del Papa, and make your way to Piazza San Francesco. There you’ll see the impressive Chiesa di San Francesco delle Scale. If your legs aren’t tired enough, keep trekking up the road to the top and make your way to the grand Duomo of San Ciriaco. The cathedral is reason enough to make the journey, but the views of the city and its port make it insta-worthy. Timesaver trick! If you start your journey from the port, follow the road Lungomare Vanvitelli, pass the Grand Hotel Palace, and there will be an elevator on the right that will take you up to the Duomo.
View from Parco del Cardeto
Up near the Duomo, is also the Parco del Cardeto, a residential park that boasts expansive, panoramic views of the city and of the Adriatic Sea. If you’re a nature lover and have a few hours to spare, it’s a nice way to spend an hour or two wandering through the natural flora of the area.
From the port: Gli Archi, Lazzaretto

Arco Traiano


Take a walk: Viale della Vittoria, Passetto

Monumenti ai Caduti


Best travel sites outside Ancona

Le Marche sunflowers
Riviera del Conero
Follow the coast south and drive along the Riviera del Conero, which starts at Portonovo down to the beach towns of Numana, Sirolo and Marcelli. If traveling during the early summer months, you’ll delight in the fields of sunflowers that line the roads to the beach. Beaches in Italy are typically covered with stabilimenti, which are beachside businesses that own a part of the shoreline and rent umbrellas and beach beds. These beachside towns are no different. You can choose to lay outside of these areas, but for a small fee, it’s more comfortable to rent the equipment for a few hours since the beaches aren’t covered in sand but in small smoothed rocks.
Beach at Sirolo
Hillside villages

Offagna
Best places to stay in Ancona
If you choose to prolong your stay in this special city, here’s a list of some of my top choices of where to stay.For seaside views:
- The Seeport Hotel, my top choice and where my family usually stays when they visit. Perk: The rooftop bar during the warmer months is a great place to have aperitivo at sunset.
- Grand Hotel Palace, Closer to the center than the previous options, this hotel also has an adjacent wine restaurant worth visiting.
- Grand Hotel Passetto. Enjoy seaside views from Ancona’s other coast and be close to the Passetto.
Travel wrap up on Ancona
Ancona doesn’t carry the flashy branding of bigger cities like Rome, Florence or Milan, but next time you happen to travel to Ancona or are considering it as a layover before heading off to other parts of the world, give it more than just a passing glance and explore all the city has to offer Other recommended places to stay:Christin Erazo | Christin Travels
Christin Erazo is a freelance writer and social media professional from Miami, Florida, USA. In 2015, Christin moved to Ancona, Italy to pursue love and adventure. There, she began her blog “Peace Love Italian” and Instagram page “@Chris_in_Italy” as a way to continue her writing, journal her travels around Italy and Europe and share the experience with those on social media. She’s currently based in Split, Croatia.