More about hotels in Marche
Marche does things quietly. There's no single postcard shot that sums it up: a walled Renaissance hill town with terracotta roofs tumbling down a hillside, cliffs dropping into turquoise water along the Conero coast, and a cave system hiding metres below ground near Genga. Even the food stays under the radar. Olive all'ascolana (olives stuffed and fried until golden) and vincisgrassi (a rich, baked pasta dish similar to lasagne) are proper Marche specialties that rarely get talked up outside Italy.
Pick your base and the rest falls into place. Beachfront in Ancona for early swims, a hilltop room in Urbino for gallery mornings, or a countryside estate near Macerata for total quiet. Marche's accommodation covers all of it, from simple guesthouses to restored historic residences.
Where to stay in Marche
- Urbino - a walled Renaissance hill town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the birthplace of the painter Raphael. Built around the old university and the Palazzo Ducale, with Raphael's childhood home now a small museum. Quiet once the day-trip buses leave. See hotels near Urbino
- Ancona & the Conero Riviera - the region's main port city, with Monte Conero's cliffs and coves, including the famous Due Sorelle sea stacks, right on its doorstep. Best for beach days with easy transport links. See hotels in Ancona
- Pesaro - a flat, cyclist-friendly seaside town with a long sandy beach and a relaxed old centre. Good for families and a slower pace. See hotels in Pesaro
- Ascoli Piceno - a travertine-paved city in the south, and the true home of olive all'ascolana. A solid pick if food is the main reason you're here. See hotels in Ascoli Piceno
- Macerata - inland towards the Sibillini foothills, with restored countryside estates and spa stays. Best for a slower, nature-first trip. See hotels in Macerata
How much is Marche accommodation?
Expect rooms from around AU$62 a night for a simple guesthouse, climbing from there depending on location, season and how much history comes with the walls.
- Backpackers/Hostels - From AU$40 per night. Shared or basic private rooms, usually near a train station or beach.
- Budget hotels/Guesthouses - From AU$62 per night. Simple, often family-run rooms close to a town centre.
- Mid-range/Apartments - From AU$100 per night. Self-contained apartments or three-star hotels with breakfast included.
- Boutique - From AU$160 per night. Restored palazzos and villas with real character, usually in an old town centre.
- Luxury/Resorts - From AU$260 per night. Countryside estates and coastal hotels with pools, spas and on-site dining.
Top-rated hotels in Marche
- Grand Hotel Palace (Ancona) - a 16th-century palazzo a few steps from the old port, with a fitness centre and an on-site restaurant. View hotel
- SeePort Hotel (Ancona) - bay views, a rooftop terrace restaurant, and a gym built into a stretch of ancient Roman wall. View hotel
- Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo (near Urbino) - a countryside estate with indoor and outdoor pools, horse riding, and farm-to-table meals. View hotel
- Villa Cattani Stuart XVII secolo (Pesaro e Urbino) - a 17th-century villa with a rooftop terrace and an on-site spa. View hotel
- Palazzo Ciotti (Ascoli Piceno) - a restored historic palazzo two minutes' walk from Piazza del Popolo. View hotel
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Marche
- Book Conero coast stays early for July and August. Rooms in Sirolo and Numana fill up fast once summer hits, and prices climb with them.
- Stay inside Urbino's walls if you want gallery mornings without the day-trip crowds. The town empties out by early evening once the tour buses leave.
- Planning a trip to Frasassi Caves? Base yourself in or near Ancona rather than Urbino. The caves sit at Genga, closer to the coast, and English-language tour slots are limited in high season, so book ahead.
- Look for a stay with a kitchenette if you're driving between hill towns. Marche's back roads are slow going, so having breakfast sorted saves an early start.
- Ascoli Piceno goes quiet in August, when some small family-run guesthouses close for their own holiday. Ring ahead to check one's actually open before you book.
Once your stay's sorted, Marche is easy to explore further. Check flights into Ancona, or look at Traveloka's Italy hotel and activities pages for more of the country beyond this one region.
