- BY ISSIMO
- August 23, 2023
Ever considered visiting Italy’s Adriatic coast? A little lesser-known than its Tyrrhenian counterpart, the Adriatic offers a perfect blend of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and gastronomic delights – all of which are best encapsulated by two hidden gems we especially love: Pesaro and Fano, in the Marche region. Two delightful neighbouring towns that boast a rich history, beautiful beaches, and mouth-watering cuisine, both destinations are true charmers. Ready to discover them?
Pesaro
Bathed by the Adriatic Sea, with seven kilometres of equipped and public beaches and Monte San Bartolo Park as backdrop, Pesaro is a historic town brimming with palaces, museums, churches and ancient libraries.
Begin your exploration by strolling through the charming historic centre, where beautiful Renaissance architecture shines bright, and don’t miss the Palazzo Ducale, built by Alessandro Sforza in the second half of the 15th century, and the Rocca Costanza, a 15th century fortress offering panoramic views of the city.
Next up, visit the birthplace of the famous composer Gioachino Rossini, whose musical heritage Pesaro celebrates every year with the Rossini Opera Festival, held annually in August. Check out the Rossini Museum to learn about the life and works of the maestro, then immerse yourself in his art by booking a concert or performance at Teatro Rossini, an elegant opera house that hosts a variety of shows, including opera and theatre productions.
With its long coastline, Pesaro offers picturesque beaches perfect for sunbathing and swimming, so some Vitamin D time is a must on any visit. The main coastal promenade runs parallel to the central Piazzale della Libertà, providing visitors with benches and a small, elevated area to appreciate scenic vistas of the sea and coastline. Sandy beaches stretch out in both directions, with another one located just around the bend at Baia Flaminia, on the opposite side of the harbour. As is typical in Italy, the beaches are dotted with private establishments, offering rows of sunbeds for sun-seekers. Should you yearn for a simpler experience, head towards the southern edge of town, near Colle Ardizio, where there are some public beaches, known as “spiaggia libera.”
As a coastal town, Pesaro boasts a delectable seafood scene. Head to one of the local trattorias or seafood restaurants to savour fresh catches such as Adriatic fish, mussels, and squid and don’t leave without trying fish brodetto, a fish soup with tomato, garlic, and slices of toasted bread. Also a must is stockfish stew with potatoes – though this is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve and on Fridays during Lent – and the fritto misto. More specialties include the basagnoccoli alla pesarese, a kind of eggless noodle topped with tuna, anchovies and tomato and the cresc’taiat alla pesarese, a cornmeal pastry that’s cut into squares and usually seasoned with a sauce made with lard, sausage and tomato.
Book a table at:
GIBAS
Str. Panoramica Adriatica, 61121 Pesaro PU
Nostrano
Piazzale della Libertà, 7, 61100 Pesaro PU
Rossini Bistrot
Via G. Passeri, 80, 61121 Pesaro PU
Fano
A beach resort 12 kilometres southeast of Pesaro, Fano has the reputation of being the liveliest, most cheerful and modern city in all of northern Marche. It’s true, though you won’t necessarily have to come here in the middle of August or during its world-famous Carnival to realise that. Just spend a few hours strolling along the waterfront, stopping in the many clubs that enliven it or browsing the stores of the historic centre at any point during the year, and you’ll soak in the fun vibes immediately.
Fano has a rich history dating back to Roman times. Explore the Roman Arch of Augustus, one of the city’s iconic landmarks, and visit the Archaeological Museum to learn more about the area’s ancient past.
Afterwards, turn to Piazza XX Settembre, Fano’s main square, surrounded by historic buildings and cafes. It’s a great place to sit back, relax, and people-watch. Ready to continue? Then consider popping by Palazzo Malatestiano, a mediaeval palace that was once the residence of the Malatesta family and is now a cultural centre (marvel at the beautiful frescoes and stunning courtyard); and Teatro della Fortuna, an 18th century theatre that’s been restored to its original state and hosts concerts and performances.
Fano is known for its beautiful beaches and big outdoors. Head to sandy Lido or Spiaggia Sassonia, which is made of pebbles, for a relaxing beach day – they both feature equipped beaches, restaurants and public stretches for you to lay your towel – or visit Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo for stunning coastal hikes and scenic views.
Feast on cucina Fanese! Fano is celebrated for its local cuisine, known as cucina Fanese. Like Pesaro, it offers lots of fantastic seafood dishes including its own take on the brodetto, a traditional fish stew; and cicerchia, a unique legume dish, both specialties of the region.
Need a pick me up? Try the moretta fanese, a delightful blend of espresso, combined with hints of lemon zest and equal measures of brandy, rum, and an anise-flavoured liqueur. To maintain each distinct layer, utmost care is taken while pouring the coffee, ensuring it remains separate from the other ingredients.
Traditionally, Moretta is elegantly served in small glasses, presenting a captivating display of the layered concoction. Legend has it that it was created by the sailors and fishermen of Fano, who would mix alcohol and coffee before embarking on their voyages at sea. Enjoy!
Book a table at:
Osteria della Peppa
Via Vecchia, 8, 61032 Fano PU
Il Galeone
Piazzale Gaetano Amendola, 2, 61032 Fano PU
Alla Lanterna
Str. Nazionale Adriatica Sud, 78, 61032 Fano PU
