Between the promontory from the slopes of Mount Conero and the coast of the Adriatic Sea rises a city rich in history, nature, culture and attractions: we are talking about Ancona.
Again: meaning and for what is famous
The city combines land and sea through its tongue of land characterized by a slight relief that juts out towards the sea and the Adriatic Gulf. It is not by chance that the name Ancona refers to the meaning of the word with which the Greeks renamed it: “Ankón”, that is, “elbow”.
What is Ancona famous for? It is a city of many facets: hills, sea, culture, traditions and gastronomic art.
The sea and its beaches
The city is the meeting point between the promontory born from the slopes of Monte Conero and the Adriatic coast. This is why Ancona means mare and beaches, some of low coast and some of high coast. The first rise in the northern part of the port, among which stands out the beach of Palombina characterized by fine sand, shallow water and stretches of free beach and bathing establishments.
Among the second are the beach of Passetto with its white rocks and the beach of Portonovo immersed in the Conero Park characterized by white stones, irregular cliffs and blue flag sea.
Where to stay in Ancona
The Municipality of Ancona offers various solutions in which to accommodate every need: hotels and hotels on the port; farmhouses immersed in the nearby countryside or guest houses and B&B close to places of tourist interest.
What to eat in restaurants in Ancona
The journey to discover the city can not miss the food and wine stop. What to eat in restaurants of Ancona?
The traditional dishes not to be missed are the chopped herbs (fried field herbs), the vincisgrassi (lasagna variant), the pizza with cheese (salted leavened) and the fried cream (fried pastry cream).
Being a seaside town, it offers many fish dishes such as brodetto all’anconetana (fish soup), moscioli alla marinara (mussels typical of Conero) and cod all’anconetana (stockfish fried and cooked with potatoes and other ingredients).
Try the Marche DOC wines such as Rosso Conero produced in the Monte Conero area and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi produced between Macerata and Ancona.
What to see and do in Ancona
Ancona makes everyone agree. History and culture enthusiasts can discover Ancona’s history. What is there to see in Ancona on foot? Churches (such as the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, the Church of Santa Maria della Piazza and the Church of San Francesco alle Scale), monuments (such as the Arch of Trajan and the Fountain of Càlamo or Thirteen Cannelle), palaces (such as the Mole Vanvitelliana positioned on an artificial island and the Loggia dei Mercanti) and museums (such as the Pinacoteca Comunale, the Museo tattile Omero and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale delle Marche).
Lovers of nature and hiking can explore the beauty of Monte Conero between paths, vegetation and coastal panorama.
Sports enthusiasts can not miss the paths for amateur cyclists or those who love to ride a mountain bike. The surroundings of the city can also be discovered on horseback by participating in organized excursions. Water sports enthusiasts can kayak between the caves and coves of the Conero coast or can surf and windsurf in Portonovo, Marcelli or Sirolo. Alternatively, they can also sail by contacting a sailing school.
Ancona for children
Ancona is suitable for families, children and older children. The Belvedere and Eraclio Fiorani Park is equipped with pedestrian areas, children’s playground, areas equipped with tables, bar and amphitheater. The redeveloped area of the Laghetti del Passetto includes ice rink, green areas, breathtaking views and freshwater lakes.
There is also the Park of the Citadel with dense vegetation, children’s playground, sports area, paths with ups and downs and outdoor area reserved for four-legged friends.
Families looking for relaxation can spend their days on the free beach or in one of the beaches scattered along the coast. Some examples? Palombina beach for families with smaller children and Portonovo beach for older children.
Ancona: unmissable events
The city of Ancona hosts events throughout the year, including the Fiera di San Ciriaco with its street artists, music, food stalls, artisans and stalls.
In recent years, the Ancona Jazz Summer Festival has been successful with concerts of jazz music and the International Adriatic Mediterranean Festival with performances by international artists.
